Death Sentences and Prisoner Abuses Reported

A special tribunal in Bangladesh has sentenced ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death for crimes against humanity related to the violent crackdown on student-led protests in July and August 2024, resulting in hundreds of deaths. The tribunal also sentenced former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan to death, while a former police chief received a five-year prison sentence after becoming a state witness. Hasina and Khan were tried in absentia as they are currently in exile in India. The verdict sparked unrest, with Hasina's Awami League party calling for a nationwide shutdown. Security was heightened ahead of the verdict, with paramilitary forces and police deployed across the country. Human rights activists expressed that while the punishment is harsh, it may not bring solace to the families of those killed or maimed during the protests.

A report by Physicians for Human Rights - Israel (PHRI) has found that at least 94 Palestinians died in Israeli custody between October 7, 2023, and August 2025, representing a significant surge in prisoner deaths during the war in Gaza. The report documents 'deeply concerning patterns of physical violence and medical negligence' as the primary factors behind the deaths. The Israeli prison service has denied the allegations, stating that its facilities operate in accordance with Israeli laws and with proper oversight. The report's findings have raised concerns about the treatment of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli detention facilities.

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been sentenced to death in absentia by the Dhaka-based International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) for ordering lethal force during a student-led uprising that ended her 15-year rule. The tribunal found her guilty of crimes against humanity and the killing of several people during the uprising. Hasina, who is currently exiled in India, denied the accusations, calling the trial 'biased and politically motivated.' The verdict has sparked tensions in Bangladesh, with her party calling for a nationwide shutdown in protest. The interim government has warned against creating disorder, and paramilitary border guards and police have been deployed in Dhaka and other parts of the country.

A recent report by Physicians for Human Rights - Israel (PHRI) claims that nearly 100 Palestinian prisoners have died in Israeli custody since October 2023, with the majority of deaths occurring in military facilities. The report alleges that prisoners were subjected to systematic and brutal violence, denied medical care, and died due to various causes including violence, malnutrition, and untreated injuries. The Israeli military and prison service have rejected the allegations, stating that they operate within the confines of the law and the Geneva Conventions. The report's findings have sparked concerns about the treatment of Palestinian prisoners and the Israeli justice system.