Australian univ reviews Hasina’s honoris causa degree
The Australian National University (ANU) is reviewing the honorary law degree it awarded to former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, following serious allegations of crimes against humanity, including overseeing massacres and enforced disappearances during her time in office.
ANU confirmed that its honorary degrees committee is considering the status of the doctorate of law conferred on Hasina in 1999.
However, the university has said it will not make any decision until a broader review of its revocation procedures is completed.
The development comes just days after Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission issued an arrest warrant against Hasina over alleged abuse of political power. In a separate case, Bangladesh’s International Criminal Tribunal issued another warrant in October 2024, accusing her of crimes against humanity. Hasina fled to India following her ousting amid massive anti-government protests.
According to the interim Bangladeshi government’s health ministry, over 1,000 people were killed during a military crackdown on student-led demonstrations against Hasina’s administration last August. Human Rights Watch has accused the military, under her leadership, of being ordered to "shoot on sight" to enforce curfew orders. The organisation urged international pressure to stop the violence and hold those responsible for human rights violations accountable.
“Influential governments must press Sheikh Hasina to stop her forces from brutalising students and other protesters,” said Meenakshi Ganguly, Deputy Asia Director at Human Rights Watch, at the time.
If ANU revokes the honorary degree, it would mark a historic move for the institution.
“Revocation of such a degree has not occurred in the university's recent history and no procedural precedent exists,” an ANU spokesperson said. “The university is working to develop a more detailed revocation procedure before deciding on any specific matter.”
Bangladesh police have reportedly requested Interpol to issue a red notice against Hasina – a global alert asking law enforcement agencies to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition or legal proceedings. According to local media, Hasina is currently in hiding in India.
Source: AAP, Canberra Times