The Australian National University (ANU) is reviewing the honorary law degree it awarded to Bangladesh’s former prime minister Sheikh Hasina in 1999, following accusations of crimes against humanity, including overseeing massacres and enforced disappearances.

Australian daily The Canberra Times reports that the ANU honorary committee is assessing the matter but will not reach a decision until a wider review of its procedures is complete.

The development comes days after Bangladesh's Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) issued an arrest warrant against Hasina over allegations of abuse of political power.

In October 2024, the International Criminal Tribunal (ICT) of Bangladesh also issued a warrant for her arrest on charges of genocide and crimes against humanity.

A United Nations investigation revealed that at least 1,400 people were killed during a violent crackdown on protests between 15 July and 5 August 2024.

Human Rights Watch’s deputy Asia director Meenakshi Ganguly had earlier called on influential governments to press Sheikh Hasina to stop her forces from brutalising students and other protesters.

Stripping Hasina of her honorary title would be an unprecedented move for ANU.

“Revocation of such a degree has not occurred in the university's recent history and no procedural precedent exists,” an ANU spokesperson told AAP, adding that the university is working on developing a more detailed revocation process before making any decision.