The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has voiced concern over the verdict against former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, stressing due process, fair-trial standards and complete opposition to the death penalty.

On Monday, OHCHR spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani said in statemetnt that the verdicts marked “an important moment for victims” of last year’s protest suppression.

Shamdasani added, “While we were not privy to the conduct of this trial, we have consistently advocated for all accountability proceedings -- especially on charges of international crimes -- to unquestionably meet international standards of due process and fair trial,” she added.

“This is particularly vital when, as was the case here, the trials have been conducted in absentia and led to a capital punishment sentence.”

She stressed the UN’s position, saying: “We also regret the imposition of the death penalty, which we oppose in all circumstances.”

The statement comes after the International Crimes Tribunal handed down the death penalty to Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan over charges of crimes against humanity related to the July Uprising. Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, the police chief at the time, was also convicted but had his sentence reduced to five years in prison after turning state witness.