When Bishop Ponon Paul Kubi of Mymensingh speaks out, it doesn’t mean he has suddenly stepped into politics. It marks a moment when a religious leader feels compelled to say that what is being carried out in the name of justice is nothing but a farce. When the Bishop says the death sentence handed down to Sheikh Hasina is one-sided and an abuse of power, he isn’t just criticizing a verdict. He’s questioning the entire process.
The International Crimes Tribunal, which issued the ruling, didn’t even allow a defense lawyer for the accused. What kind of justice is that? In any civilized society, even the worst offender has the right to legal representation. Here, even that basic right was denied. As Bishop Kubi rightly said, this feels like a return to a primitive era, where there is no hearing, no chance to defend oneself, only the will of those in power and their political vendetta.
What Yunus and his so-called government have done is nothing new. History shows that whenever power is seized illegally, the first target is always the opposition. And to achieve that, the law is twisted into a tool of oppression. What happened in July wasn’t a spontaneous mass uprising. It was a planned coup against an elected government, backed by foreign funding, extremist groups and elements within the military. It was a coup in every sense.
What is happening now under the name of justice is essentially an attempt to legitize that illegal takeover. The allegations brought against Sheikh Hasina and her government were never examined through any neutral investigation. What was the standard of evidence? How credible were the witnesses? There are no real answers. The verdict was predetermined long ago. Only the date needed to be filled in.
The Catholic Church has always opposed the death penalty. It’s part of its doctrine. But when Bishop Kubi criticizes this verdict, he isn’t just opposing capital punishment. He is exposing the dishonesty and injustice of the entire process. He states clearly that this is an abuse of political power. Saying such a thing takes courage, especially when expressing dissent can put someone in danger.
Five European international bodies have already informed the United Nations, Amnesty International and several human rights groups about this staged trial. They have condemned the farce in strong terms. Bishop Kubi’s statement adds another powerful voice to this growing international criticism. It’s more than just a comment. It’s a signal that the world is watching, and it is not silent.
If the allegations against Sheikh Hasina were truly serious, then there should have been a transparent, impartial and internationally credible trial. What happened was the opposite. The accused was not allowed to present her defense. This wasn’t justice. It was retaliation. This wasn’t the rule of law. It was the law of the jungle.
Yunus and his government may have thought this verdict would strengthen their position. In reality, it has isolated them even further. The international community now sees more clearly what is happening in Bangladesh. And with time, it is becoming even more obvious that this is a carefully orchestrated conspiracy.
When Bishop Kubi says that rushing a trial and delivering whatever verdict one wishes means we no longer live in a civilized society, he is holding up a mirror to all of us. Which direction are we heading? Do we actually want justice, or are we just trying to shield those we support? These questions matter not only for Bangladesh, but for the entire world.
What this entire episode makes clear is that Sheikh Hasina has been made a victim of a conspiracy. A makeshift court was used to declare her guilty without meeting even the minimum standards of justice. This is as clear as daylight, and the world is now noticing. Bishop Kubi’s statement amplifies that truth.
How long can Yunus’s misdeeds be hidden? The international community is alert. Human rights groups are active. And most importantly, conscientious people are beginning to speak out. When someone like Bishop Kubi finds the courage to tell the truth, it means the days of injustice are numbered. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but the time will come when the truth surfaces and justice prevails.
