Nobel Laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus Sentenced to Six Months in Jail by Bangladesh Court
Bangladesh’s Nobel laureate economist Dr Muhammad Yunus has been sentenced to six months in jail by a court for violating labor laws, a verdict that his supporters consider politically motivated ahead of the January 7 general elections. The 83-year-old economist, who was present in court, sought bail after the ruling, which Third Labour Court Judge Sheikh Merina Sultana granted immediately for a month in exchange for a Taka 5,000 (USD 45) bond. The court also gave the defense 30 days to appeal.
Yunus, known for his anti-poverty campaign, won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006, earning Bangladesh the reputation of being the home of microcredit through his Grameen Bank, founded in 1983. However, Yunus and three colleagues from Grameen Telecom, one of the firms he established, were accused of violating labor laws by failing to create a workers’ welfare fund in the company.
Judge Sultana held Yunus responsible for violating the law as the chairman of Grameen Telecom and ordered him to serve six months of simple imprisonment. She also imposed a Taka 25,000 fine (USD 227.82) on each of them. Failure to pay the fine would result in an additional 10 days of jail time.
Yunus and his lawyers have criticized the case, calling it meritless, false, and ill-motivated with the aim of harassing and humiliating him. They claim that the charges are part of a larger effort to suppress Yunus before the global community. The economist is also facing additional charges related to labor law violations and misappropriation of funds.
This verdict comes amidst an ongoing conflict between Yunus and the government of Bangladesh. The government began investigations into Grameen Bank’s activities in 2011, leading to Yunus being fired as its founding managing director. The conflict escalated with Yunus being put on trial for charges such as receiving money without government permission.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s administration has faced criticism regarding its treatment of Yunus. Many believe that the conflict stems from Yunus’ announcement to form a political party in 2007, which displeased Hasina while she was in prison. Despite not proceeding with his plan, Yunus continued to criticize politicians in Bangladesh.
Yunus’ supporters have called the recent verdict politically motivated and note that it coincides with the upcoming general election. In the past, global leaders and Nobel laureates have appealed to Prime Minister Hasina, asking her to suspend legal proceedings against Yunus. The signatories included figures such as former US President Barack Obama and former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
It remains to be seen how this latest development will impact Yunus and his future endeavors in Bangladesh. As the founder of microcredit, Yunus has left an indelible mark on poverty alleviation efforts worldwide, and his supporters continue to rally behind him, defending his reputation and his contributions to society.
