Bangladesh Revokes Special Security and Passports for Sheikh Hasina Amid Political Shifts

The interim government in Bangladesh has removed special security provisions and revoked diplomatic passports for deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her relatives. This decision, driven by anti-discrimination efforts, follows President Shahabuddin's dissolution of Parliament after Hasina fled to India. Hasina faces over 75 legal cases, many of them involving murder charges.

The interim government in Bangladesh has rescinded special security provisions for deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her close relatives, mere days after revoking their diplomatic passports.

According to the official BSS news agency, the Council of Advisers, led by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, decided to amend the Special Security Force Act 2021, terminating state benefits for Hasina and her family.

After fleeing to India on August 5, former Prime Minister Hasina saw the dissolution of Parliament by President Mohammad Shahabuddin. Hasina currently faces more than 75 legal cases in Bangladesh, with nearly half involving murder charges.

The interim government, established amid a massive student-people uprising, has made eliminating discrimination a primary agenda. The office of the Chief Adviser stated that the previous law had provided undue state benefits solely to one family, which they considered discriminatory.

Advisory council member Syeda Rizwana Hasan noted that the council's decision to amend the law comes from a strong anti-discrimination stance. Additionally, the Ministry of Home Affairs has nullified diplomatic passports for Hasina, her advisors, former cabinet members, spouses, and children.

In a related move, the government has signed the Instrument of Accession to the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, underscoring its dedication to investigate enforced disappearances.

(With inputs from agencies.)