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Passport authorities have no legal authority to issue a passport to former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who has been sentenced to death, said International Crimes Tribunal Chief Prosecutor Mohammad Aminul Islam.
He said Hasina would not return to Bangladesh voluntarily and that the government would bring her back through legal procedures.
The chief prosecutor made the remarks at a press briefing at the International Crimes Tribunal on Tuesday (November 10). Other prosecutors of the tribunal were also present.
“Former prime minister Sheikh Hasina has been convicted by the International Crimes Tribunal. The Bangladesh government has cancelled her passport for this reason. Under the Passport Act, the authorities have no jurisdiction to issue a passport to a convicted person,” Aminul Islam said.
He added that as Hasina had not appealed against her sentence, her return to Bangladesh would raise the issue of implementing the death penalty.
Meanwhile, Information Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman said some fundamental human rights would not apply to Hasina in the same way as they do to other citizens.
Speaking at a separate press conference on Tuesday, he said the government wanted to bring Hasina back to Bangladesh. As a convicted person, several of her fundamental rights would remain suspended, as provided for in the Constitution, he added.
The information adviser also said Hasina had not directly applied for a passport. Instead, a request regarding the matter had been made through a law firm.
