Authorities have no jurisdiction to issue passport to Sheikh Hasina

Chief Prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal Mohammad Aminul Islam has said the authorities have no legal jurisdiction to issue a passport to death-row convict Sheikh Hasina.

“It is clear that Sheikh Hasina will not return to Bangladesh voluntarily. She will be brought back through legal procedures,” he said.

The chief prosecutor made the remarks at a press conference on Tuesday, attended by other prosecutors of the tribunal.

He said ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina had been convicted by the International Crimes Tribunal, prompting the Bangladesh government to cancel her passport.

“The Passport Act clearly states that the passport authority has no jurisdiction to issue a passport to a convicted person,” he said.

He further said Sheikh Hasina's death sentence would be carried out if she returned to the country, as she had not appealed against the verdict.

Meanwhile, Information Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman said several fundamental human rights would not apply to Sheikh Hasina.

“We want to bring Sheikh Hasina back. As a convicted person, many of her fundamental rights will remain suspended. This is also provided for in our Constitution,” he said at a press conference on Tuesday.

The information adviser said Sheikh Hasina had not personally applied for a passport. Rather, a request had been made through a law firm.