Sheikh Hasina

Hasina was a leader in Bangladesh.

Her father was a president there. Many years ago, she lost her family. This was a very sad time. She moved to India for a while. Later, she came back to lead her land. She was the prime minister for a long time. She helped build many things. But some people felt her rules were not fair. They asked her to step down. Now, she lives in a new place.

Sheikh Hasina was a leader in Bangladesh.

Her father was the first president of her country. In 1975, her family was killed in a coup. Hasina was in Europe at that time. She lived in India for six years. She returned to Bangladesh in 1981. She led a political party called the Awami League. She became prime minister in 1996. She served again from 2009 to 2024. During her time, she helped build many things. The country's economy grew. However, some people were unhappy with her rule. They said she did not allow enough freedom. In July 2024, students held protests. Many people died during these protests. This led to a large uprising. Hasina resigned and moved to India. In 2025, a court in Bangladesh found her guilty of crimes. She said the trial was not fair.

Sheikh Hasina was a very important leader in Bangladesh.

She served as the Prime Minister for many years. She was the longest-serving leader in the history of her country. She was also one of the longest-serving female leaders in the world. Hasina led a political party called the Awami League. She held the position of party president starting in 1981. Her life was shaped by both great power and great loss.

Her journey into politics began with a very difficult family history. She was born on 28 September 1947 in Tungipara. Her father was Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the first president of Bangladesh. In 1975, a coup happened in her country. During this event, almost her entire family was killed. Hasina was visiting Europe when this happened. She lived in India for six years after that. She finally returned to Bangladesh in 1981 to lead her party.

Hasina worked hard to help her country grow. She served her first term as Prime Minister from 1996 to 2001. During this time, she helped the economy get stronger. She signed a water-sharing treaty with India about the Ganges river. She also signed a peace accord in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. This work earned her the UNESCO Peace Prize. Later, she served a much longer term from 2009 to 2024.

While she built many things, her leadership faced hard questions. Some people were worried about how much power she held. There were concerns about human rights and freedom for the press. Critics also spoke about problems with elections in 2014, 2018, and 2024. In July 2024, a large movement of students began. They wanted to change how jobs were given out. This movement grew into a much larger uprising. Sadly, hundreds of protesters died during this time.

The protests led to a big change in the government. Hasina resigned from her position in July 2024. She left the country and moved to India. In November 2025, a court in Bangladesh held a trial. The tribunal found her guilty of crimes against humanity. They sentenced her to death for her actions against protesters. Hasina rejected this decision. She said the trial was only done for political reasons.

Sheikh Hasina Wazed is a prominent Bangladeshi politician. She served as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh during two different periods. Her first term lasted from 1996 to 2001. Her second term was much longer, lasting from 2009 until 2024.

She is the longest-serving prime minister in the history of Bangladesh. Globally, she is recognized as one of the longest-serving female heads of government. Since 1981, she has also served as the president of the Awami League, a centre-left political party.

Hasina's early life was deeply connected to the founding of her nation. She was born on 28 September 1947, in Tungipara. Her father was Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who became the first president of Bangladesh. As a child, she saw her father face many challenges. He was often held as a political prisoner by the Pakistani government. Hasina noted that he was often jailed because he loved his people. This early experience with political struggle shaped her future path.

A major tragedy changed the course of her life in 1975. During a coup d'état in Bangladesh, her father and most of her family were murdered. Hasina was visiting Europe when the assassination occurred. She and her sister, Sheikh Rehana, sought refuge in Germany. They eventually accepted political asylum from Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. For six years, Hasina lived in exile in New Delhi, India. During this time, the military government of Ziaur Rahman barred her from entering Bangladesh.

Hasina returned to Bangladesh in 1981 to lead the Awami League. Her return was met by thousands of supporters. Throughout the 1980s, she faced frequent detentions and house arrests under military rule. She played a vital role in the 1990 uprising. This movement helped restore parliamentary democracy to the country. She later worked alongside Khaleda Zia, her long-term political rival. This era of competition is often called the "Battle of Begums."

During her first premiership, Hasina implemented several major changes. She signed a 30-year water-sharing treaty with India regarding the Ganges river. She also signed the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord. This agreement ended an insurgency and earned her the UNESCO Peace Prize. Her government focused on economic growth and infrastructure. For example, the Bangabandhu Bridge mega project was completed in 1998. She also introduced the New Industrial Policy in 1999. This policy aimed to grow the private sector and attract foreign investment. Her reforms helped the country reach an average GDP growth of 5.5%.

Hasina's second term from 2009 to 2024 was marked by both development and controversy. While the economy grew, many people raised serious concerns. Critics pointed to democratic backsliding and human rights abuses. There were reports of enforced disappearances and restrictions on the press. Observers also noted electoral irregularities during the 2014, 2018, and 2024 elections. Some accused her government of corruption and the embezzlement of foreign reserves.

The end of her leadership came during a period of intense social unrest. In July 2024, security forces repressed a student movement for quota reform. This movement grew into a larger uprising and a non-cooperation movement. The protests resulted in the deaths of hundreds of people. This widespread unrest led to Hasina's resignation and exile to India. In November 2025, the Bangladeshi International Crimes Tribunal convicted her in absentia. She was sentenced to death for crimes against humanity, including ordering lethal force against protesters. Hasina has rejected this verdict, calling it politically motivated.