Hasina has family ties in several countries.
New Delhi: Sheikh Hasina fled Bangladesh on August 5 this year and has been living in New Delhi since then. It has been more than three months since she took refuge in India. When she came to India, it was said that it would be her temporary stay but it did not happen. She tried to seek political asylum in many countries but could not succeed. Hence she is forced to stay in India. However, there are voices in Bangladesh demanding that Sheikh Hasina is extradited.
Bangladesh’s interim government plans to seek Interpol’s help under charges of crimes against humanity and genocide against Sheikh Hasina and her party leaders.
Her government has been accused of ordering mass violence and suppressing student movements, during which hundreds of people died. The request, if any, would also depend on India’s legal procedures and extradition treaties. But it is true that it will be difficult for Sheikh Hasina to live in India now.
If one goes by the initial comments and news reports of Sheikh Hasina’s son Sajeeb Wazed, there were talks in August that she was trying to get political asylum in several countries. But perhaps these requests did not materialize.
However, Hasina’s son Sajeeb Wazed was quoted as saying that she has not formally requested asylum in any country, including the United Kingdom or the United States. However, if she has not done so, then this makes their future situation more complicated.
Britain refused asylum
Reports in August and September said the United Kingdom had expressed hesitancy about her asylum request, citing technicalities of immigration law. The US also rejected asylum and revoked her visa. According to reports, the UK rejected Sheikh Hasina’s asylum request for a number of reasons, mainly related to their immigration policies and the political context around her status.
Why UK laws are getting in the way
UK immigration law provides that asylum seekers have to apply from within the country. Asylum claims are usually only considered if a person enters the UK legally, which Hasina did not do, as she had previously come to India.
Is her controversial tenure coming in the way?
The political climate in Bangladesh and Hasina’s controversial tenure as prime minister complicate her asylum prospects. The UK government has expressed concerns about human rights violations during her administration. Britain does not want to sour its relations with the current government of Bangladesh by giving asylum to Sheikh Hasina.
What is the current situation?
It is not known whether she has applied for political asylum in any country or not, but this raises the question whether she is finding it difficult to get political asylum in any country. Sheikh Hasina’s troubles would increase if the Bangladesh government officially issues a warrant against her and asks the Interpol to issue a notice against her.
Things can get complicated for India
When Sheikh Hasina came to India, the Indian government also conveyed that her stay would be temporary. After this, she will get political asylum in another country and she will go there. That doesn’t seem to be happening.
India’s position is also complicated by its diplomatic relations with Bangladesh. Granting asylum to Hasina has angered the interim government of Bangladesh and parties associated with it. There is a growing demand in Bangladesh that Sheikh Hasina be brought back to the country and put on trial.
If the pressure on India to hand over Hasina to Bangladesh will increase, then it will be difficult for India to ignore them. That situation will also be a challenge for India’s foreign policy. This can increase anti-India sentiment and instability in Bangladesh.
Can India allow her to stay longer?
India has been stepping up its diplomatic relations with Bangladesh, especially with the interim government in Dhaka. An agreement has also been signed with India to give its own grid to send its electricity. India wants its relations with Bangladesh to be normal. It is unlikely that India would like to keep her for a very long. It remains to be seen how Bangladesh officially reacts to this happening.
Why countries are hesitant?
Countries are reluctant to give asylum to Hasina as they feel that doing so may amount to taking sides in Bangladesh’s internal politics.
In which country is Hasina seeking asylum?
Reports suggest that Hasina is considering seeking asylum in countries such as the United States, Finland, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Saudi Arabia.
Hasina has family ties in several countries, including the US and Finland, which could facilitate her asylum process. However, Hasina’s relationship with the Biden administration was strained. However, it is true that Sheikh Hasina’s options for political asylum are open.