Recent reports indicate that while the United Kingdom hesitates on granting asylum to Sheikh Hasina, former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, the United States has “revoked” her visa. The 76-year-old leader resigned and fled Bangladesh on Monday (August 5), seeking refuge in India temporarily while awaiting asylum approval from the UK.
Has the US Canceled Hasina’s Visa?
BREAKING: The United States government has revoked former #Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visa to the United States, sources close to the State Department have confirmed. Sheikh Hasina left Bangladesh on Monday afternoon, and is currently in India deciding her next…
— David Bergman (@TheDavidBergman) August 6, 2024
According to News18, the US has “revoked” Hasina’s visa. Journalist David Bergman also reported on X that sources close to the US State Department confirmed the revocation, though it remains unclear if Hasina had intended to travel to the US. Her son, Sajeeb Wazed “Joy,” resides in Virginia with his wife.
Relations between Hasina and the Joe Biden administration have been tense, particularly after the US criticized the January elections in Bangladesh, which the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) boycotted, alleging vote rigging by Hasina’s government. In May, Hasina accused a “Western government” of attempting to establish a military base in Bangladesh without naming any country.
While The Hindu reported that it is unknown if Hasina applied for a US visa after her ousting, officials indicated that her official passport visa is “no longer valid” since she is no longer Prime Minister.
Why is the UK Reluctant to Grant Her Asylum?
The UK has yet to formally respond to Hasina’s asylum request. As per UK immigration law, individuals cannot apply for asylum or temporary refuge from outside the UK. However, officials have confirmed that her request is being processed.
On Monday, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy commented on Bangladesh’s situation but did not address Hasina’s request directly. His statement urged an end to the violence in Bangladesh and called for a UN-led investigation into recent events, highlighting the UK’s commitment to a peaceful and democratic future for Bangladesh.
Hasina’s request for asylum in the UK is complicated by her familial ties there. Her sister, Sheikh Rehana, holds UK citizenship, and her niece, Tulip Siddiq, is a minister in the Labour government. Hasina sought permission to travel to the UK immediately after landing in India, but the UK has yet to approve her travel.
UK government sources stated that the country has a “proud record” of providing protection to those in need but reiterated that asylum should be sought in the first safe country reached. The UK’s historical support for Hasina’s family, including providing refuge to her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, after Bangladesh’s Liberation War, adds complexity to the decision.
Political and Diplomatic Implications
Strategic experts suggest that granting asylum to Hasina could put the UK in a difficult position, especially if a UN investigation implicates her in human rights violations. Allowing her to live in “self-exile” in the UK, given her niece’s position in the Labour government, could present political challenges.
The UK is also mindful of pressure from BNP loyalists and potential allegations against Hasina for actions during her tenure. If the UK declines her asylum request, India is unlikely to host her for an extended period due to its proximity to Bangladesh.