Sheikh Hasina, who first became Prime Minister of Bangladesh after her Awami League party won the election in 1996, has recently resigned from her position following weeks of protests. The now 76-year-old Hasina has been a central figure in Bangladeshi politics for nearly two decades, and she left the country under dramatic pressure from the populace.

During her second term as Prime Minister, which began in 2009, Bangladesh experienced significant economic growth. However, her administration has also been characterized by a hardline stance against dissent and accusations of human rights violations. The United States imposed sanctions on the elite paramilitary unit, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), which is believed to be involved in enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings.

Sheikh Hasina’s resignation marks the end of a controversial era, leaving Bangladesh divided between economic progress and serious human rights issues.