Dhaka – July 1, 2025: Explosive audio recordings leaked to international media suggest that former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina may have personally ordered a deadly crackdown on political opponents, raising serious concerns over human rights abuses and democratic backsliding in the South Asian nation.

The recordings, released by Netra News, an independent exile-run media outlet, allegedly feature Hasina instructing security forces to “deal firmly” with opposition protesters during a wave of anti-government demonstrations in late 2023, prior to national elections.

Key Revelations From the Leaks

The audio clips—still undergoing independent verification—allegedly capture:

• Direct orders from Hasina to suppress dissent “at any cost”
• Mentions of senior police and military figures complying with instructions
• Explicit references to targeting opposition party leaders and activists, particularly from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)

“They must be taught a lesson… it must be done before the vote,” the voice attributed to Hasina says in one clip.

At least 23 people were killed and hundreds arrested during the violent crackdown referenced in the recordings.

International Reaction and Political Fallout

The leak has sparked renewed international scrutiny of Bangladesh’s human rights record. Global rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, are calling for:

• An independent investigation into the authenticity and content of the recordings
• Accountability for any state-sanctioned political violence
• Potential sanctions or diplomatic actions if violations are confirmed

The United Nations Human Rights Office has also taken notice, with a spokesperson urging Bangladesh to uphold democratic norms and legal accountability.

Government Response

Hasina’s Awami League party has dismissed the leaks as “fabricated propaganda”, accusing foreign agents and exiled political rivals of attempting to undermine the government’s legitimacy.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has announced a probe to determine whether the recordings were manipulated or illegally obtained, and has warned against “misleading media speculation.”

Background: Crackdown Before 2024 Elections

The 2023–24 pre-election period in Bangladesh was marred by:

• Mass arrests of BNP leaders
• Internet shutdowns and restrictions on public assembly
• Allegations of rigged elections and media censorship

Hasina was re-elected in January 2024, but international observers criticized the electoral process as neither free nor fair.

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