The UK has been a beacon of justice and the rule of law. We are proud of the values that our nation stands for—fairness, transparency, and protection for all under our legal system. However, recent developments cast a shadow over these values. I am deeply concerned about the risk posed by individuals with affiliations to the banned Bangladesh Chattra League (BSL) and fleeing members of the Awami League who are seeking asylum and visas in the UK. 

We, the undersigned, are very concerned about the risks that individuals affiliated with the banned Bangladesh Chattra League (BSL) and the fleeing Awami League, who have sought asylum in the UK after the uprising in Bangladesh in 2024. We urge the UK government to take immediate legal and diplomatic measures to protect national security and uphold the principles of justice and the rule of law.

Background and Concerns:

1. UN Report on the 2024 Student Uprising in Bangladesh:
The 2024 UN report on Bangladesh documents systematic human rights abuses perpetrated during the student-led protests, with direct involvement from state forces and affiliates of the Awami League and BSL. These include:

Extrajudicial Killings: Over 1,400 individuals were killed, 78% from gunshot wounds; 12-13% of those killed were children.
Arbitrary Arrests and Detentions: Over 11,700 individuals were detained without due process.
Enforced Disappearances: A pattern of disappearances targeting protestors and dissidents was observed.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, called for urgent accountability, warning that the severity of these actions may amount to crimes against humanity.

2. Involvement of Sheikh Hasina and Her Inner Circle in International Legal Investigations:

Reports from international human rights organisations and advocacy groups have increasingly spotlighted ex-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India during the movement, alleging her involvement in, or command responsibility for, crimes against humanity during the 2024 student uprising in Bangladesh. Multiple legal advocacy groups have called for international criminal proceedings based on the doctrine of command responsibility, which holds national leaders accountable for atrocities committed under their governance.

3. Legal Risks and Public Safety in the UK:
There is an urgent need to address the entry of individuals with credible links to such violations. Current UK immigration frameworks do not sufficiently screen for affiliations with groups credibly accused of international crimes, enabling potential perpetrators to exploit asylum processes.

4. Failures in Oversight and Governance:
The recent resignation of Tulip Siddiq, an MP who was under scrutiny linked to political pressures and associations, underscores systemic weaknesses in transparency and immigration policy. It reflects the need for firmer legal mechanisms to review asylum and residency applications tied to foreign political actors.

While, as of now, no formal International Criminal Court (ICC) indictment has been confirmed, the UN report (2024) explicitly implicates the leadership of the Awami League in authorising violent crackdowns, enforced disappearances, and mass extrajudicial killings. Efforts are underway by legal coalitions in The Hague to initiate preliminary investigations into potential violations of the Rome Statute.

Furthermore, financial records and investigative journalism reports (including from EU-based and Middle Eastern watchdogs) indicate that close relatives of Sheikh Hasina own significant undisclosed foreign assets, including luxury properties in London, Dubai, and Toronto, raising concerns of illicit enrichment and money laundering. Several family members, including her son and daughter, have maintained foreign residency and business interests that could be subject to international sanctions or asset freezes if legal proceedings advance.

These developments intensify calls for the UK and allied democracies to scrutinise asylum and visa applications more closely, particularly those from individuals connected to state-sanctioned violence, genocide, or economic crimes.

Proposed Actions:

We call on the UK government to:

Enhance Vetting Processes for Asylum Seekers: Conduct comprehensive background checks, including affiliations with parties or regimes accused of international crimes.

Amend Immigration Legislation: Include explicit provisions barring entry or residency to those linked to political groups under UN investigation for human rights violations.

Cooperate with International Justice Bodies: Provide intelligence to the ICC and support preliminary investigations where applicable.

Investigate Financial Crimes and Asset Transparency: Freeze assets and investigate financial dealings of asylum seekers or visa holders linked to illicit enrichment or sanctioned regimes.

Why should we sign this petition?

There are alarming reports of individuals linked to serious crimes and corruption attempting to exploit our asylum process, potentially compromising the integrity of Britain's security and values. The asylum and immigration systems are designed to provide refuge to those genuinely fleeing persecution and injustice, not to shelter those who may themselves be perpetrators of significant crimes against humanity. Our responsibility is to ensure these systems are not abused at the expense of national welfare.

Evidence suggests that lax checks and insufficient legal safeguards have allowed some individuals with troubling backgrounds to slip through the cracks, obtaining visas or asylum unjustly. Prominent local media sources have indicated that oligarchs, corrupt elites, and their associates from the  Bangladesh Awami League are pursuing asylum or obtaining easy visas to the UK, particularly those connected to violent political tactics or corruption. This situation highlights the pressing nature of the issue.

By signing this petition, you are urging the UK government to safeguard our national security, protect our legal system's integrity, and uphold justice for all. Join us in calling for action that reflects the high moral standards Britain is known for, ensuring that we do not compromise on our values while offering protection to those genuinely in need. Please sign this petition and help defend the core values of British society.