this is bbc news. the headlines. the g7 summit injapan has ended with a pledge of unwavering support for ukraine. president zelensky said victory over russia would deter other potential aggressors around the world. he also denied claims that the eastern city of bakhmut had fallen into russian hands. here, the bbc understands the prime minister will talk to his ethics adviser, following claims the home secretary broke the ministerial code after being caught speeding. it's reported suella braverman asked civil servants to help her book a private driving awareness course. the greek prime minister is claiming victory in the country's parliamentary elections hailing what he called a "political earthquake" with his party's win. however, polls suggest the conservative new democracy will fall short of an outright victory.

those of the latest headlines. now on bbc news — the interview: sheikh hasina. bangladesh's prime minister sheikh hasina has been in power for past 1a years. her supporters describe her as a saviour, and her critics says she is a dictator, and her critics say she is a dictator, she's a dictator, accusing her of human rights abuses. in a rare and wide—ranging interview with the bbc, sheikh hasina sits down with me, yalda hakim, to discuss some of the most important issues facing her country and the international community. she remains defiant when it comes to the treatment of the minority rohingya refugees and says that she is refugees and says that she's in no hurry to step down as the country's leader.

you are the world's longest serving female leader. you're often described as the iron lady of bangladesh, you're the daughter of the founder of the country. i just want to know, how the last 1a years have been for you personally? i can tell you one thing — the last 1a years have been the best time for bangladesh because in every aspect. because in every aspect, we have made tremendous development, which we couldn't do it in the past because, you know that after the independence, ourfather of the nation, sheikh mujibur rahman, he got only three years and seven months to build up the wealth of the country and develop the country. after the military ruler took over power directly right after the military ruler

took over power directly or indirectly, overtly or covertly, then in the 2008 election, when we won the election and we formed government, it was a continuous democratic process for m years. that really helped our country to develop. every sector, we made some progress. your country has been described as a flawed muslim democracy, and then there are those who say it's sliding into autocracy under your rule. what went wrong? how could you say autocracy? my whole life i struggled for democracy. our party, bangladesh awami league, we established democracy in this country. and before that, i told you that we had military rule for 21 years, and then again a military—backed government for another eight years. that was altogether 29 years out of 50 years.

so, only this time, this 1a years, so, only this time, this 1a years, we had true democratic system and stability, and therefore, we could make progress. why then, does the un human rights chief raise concerns about allegations of extrajudicial killings, forced disappearances, torture, cracking down on the press? i don't know. but actually, the allegation, they couldn't prove that much. well, some group, they mentioned a big number. when we inquired, it was perhaps five or six people. but, sometimes, people themselves... —— persons. some people hide themselves because of different issues. but extrajudicial killing,

we never support that. and in our country i think, i don't know any other countries, that have these rules, but in our country, the law is there, and if there is anything being done wrong by our law enforcement agency, immediately, they go forjustice. any organisation, if they have done any misdeeds, immediately, so, any organisation, if they have done any misdeeds, immediately, they get punishment. why did the us imposed sanctions, then, on one of your paramilitary organisations? that paramilitary organisation was set up by the us, actually, with their advice, it was established in 200a. and all of the training, equipments,

everything provided by us. and i think that the way they train them, now they are acting such a way, so how and why they sanctioned it is really a big question to me. what do you think it is? what do you think the reason for it is? i don't know, maybe they don't want me to continue all the progress we are making for bangladesh to continue. they may not accept it. this is my feeling. because, you see, terrorism at one stage becomes a big problem for every country. in our country, we control terrorism. we have had only one incident, after that, no more incidents took place. so our law enforcement agencies were working very hard to keep keep control, and also make the progress. i mean, the accusations — i want to pick up on a few things you've said. the accusations are that before

the sanctions in 2018, while you were in power, there were 466 people killed by the security forces. in 2019, 388 people killed. in 2020, 188 people killed. then, when the sanctions were lessened, it went down to 15. listen... the number they mentioned, they couldn't prove it. mostly, it was not... they were... ..killed by the law enforcement agencies or because we wanted the evidence. there are two whistle—blowers from the paramilitary organisation as part of a documentary that was done by dw, who said that the orders come at the highest level, come at the highest level — meaning you — to kill some of these people. this was a documentary done

by a german organisation. well, how they made these allegations, i don't know. but what is happening in america, you can see. almost every day, even in a school or a shopping mall, or a restaurant, people are killing even schoolchildren. then other common people have been killed by either law law enforcement agencies or carers. i think that you should look into that in their country. into that, that in their country... what is the situation? this is the children's life. theu're not taking care of that, their own people. but the allegations they brought, or the number they said, we asked them to give us that evidence. they couldn't place that. and yet, the sanctions

are not being lifted. and yet that they're not lifting the sanctions. and yet they're not lifting the sanctions. and counter—sanctions — this is some kind of game, ifeel. it is still not clear to me why they put sanctions to our country. i can tell you one thing. look at me. my whole family was assassinated. my father, he was the president of the country. then my mother, my three brothers, the younger one was only ten years old. my two sisters in law altogether, 18 members. those killers, they got indemnity. that means you cannot punish then. i had no right to ask forjustice. i couldn't file any case against that. that time, they didn't put on any sanctions.

there is still one killer, and he took shelter in america. he took shelter in america. time and again, i'm asking or requesting their government, or the president directly. i sent a letter to them... why do you think they're not listening? i don't know. you've raised this in parliament as well, this idea they want that they want regime change. do you have sort of evidence around that? because you're raising this concern again now. that is the big question, why they put the sanction when the law enforcement agencies working to control terrorism. and... action attacking the violation of human rights, but why they are supporting the violators, not the victims or not the people. amnesty international, human rights watch, the un have

all expressed concern. i know that, all 12 together, but they couldn't prove it. are they lying? i don't know the international game. why would they want to remove you? well, they killed my father. those who kill our family, even my ten—year—old brother... even my ten—year—old brother, perhaps those killers or conspirators never wanted anybody from that family should come to power. and then, when the military ruler ruled the country, not only ruled the country, they killed so many people — law enforcement agency, our army, opposition, even our party. thousands of people have been killed. so, that time, we never saw any sanctions. this is the question also from me

to the international community... to the international community, why they were so blind at that time? they never said or put any sanctions on the military dictator or those who killed, even in broad daylight. there was an attack grenade attack on me and 22 members of my party who were killed. of my party who were killed and nearly 700 people wounded. last time, i didn't see any sanctions. but the feeling is that the rab paramilitary organisation ordered the killings ofjournalists, opposition leaders, dissidents, activists. here, the observer says that earlier this year the police were accused of a coordinated campaign of violence against the opposition. officers have fired on peaceful protests... listen, i was in opposition.

i know. the ruling party have tortured us. we had no right to hold any meeting. are you saying that at least 20,000 cases have been filed against the supporters of the opposition, the bnp? more than 7000 members and activists have been arrested, 1,00 people detained. that's what they did. they killed people. they threw molotov cocktails. they set fire to public buses. about 3,800 public buses burned with passengers. they killed common people. in train, private car. they killed people. so, what to do? will you not file a case against them? not only that, the attack... 0ur public meeting, or the attack on common people...

well, that is their movement. they said that it is their movement. so, that way, they kill people, so what to do? so, you detained them and anyone who has been a supporter of the opposition? no, it is not supporters. it is killers, those who torture people, those who kill people. that is why they got this punishment. 0r they're corrupt. i don't understand why all those organisations do not see what crimes they have done. well, the opposition is saying that sheikh hasina is dreaming of staying in powerforever without any election and competition. of course not. for electoral and voting rights, i struggled for my whole life against the military ruler, and the system we have now

introduced, it is only our party. introduced, it is only our party when we are in power. listen, we passed the law to establish the election commission. we always wanted a free and fair elections. now, ourvoter list, it is with the photo and id card. we introduced a transparent ballot boxes. we introduced the transparent ballot boxes. if you want to know about it, then you have to go back to our past, the history of our country, how elections have been manipulated or rigged, or, the result was... you got 96% of the vote in the last election. people voted for me because of our work. because we work for them. that's.

that's more than some dictators in egypt, that figure. that's the same, on par as vladimir putin. listen, we have 170 million people, people are very conscious about the political right. since our public formed government, we worked for our people to ensure food security, reduce poverty levels, ensure thei healthcare, education, housing, all the basic all the basic needs we ensured. so, of course, people always vote for us. why not? i want to bring this back to your election in 2018 and why the international community has concerns about the next election next year. transparency international said that they found irregularities. 47 out of the 50 constituencies surveyed, fake votes, ballot stuffing, voters and opposition are polling and opposition polling agents barred from entering the centres. can they prove that?

where is the proof? i want that. crosstalk no, i want the document. because i'm telling you, 2008 election, there is no objection. nothing. nobody questioned the election, right? those political parties, altogether, how many seats did 20 parties they get in the 2008 election? only 29 seats out of 300. because of their misrule, their corruption, their nepotism, terrorism activities. people rejected them. they voted for us. they voted for me and my party and my allowance. now, 2014, those parties didn't participate. what they did, they started killing people. 500 schools were burned down. how brutally they act.

but you're currently in power... no, let me finish. so, they didn't participate, but they tried to jeopardise the electoral system. why are these international observers saying that these elections were not fair and free? that, i don't know how they look at it, but the election definitely was free and fair. in 2018 election, they participated at the beginning. but what was the situation? we had 300 constituencies, for 300 constituencies, 300 constituencies, you have to nominate 300 people, right? 300 candidates. but what was the situation? they nominated about 700, so they started

fighting with each other. at one instance, they withdrew from the election, they din't participate. imean... my point is that, when they didn't participate in the election, when they withdrew, how can they claim that the election was not free and fair? they have no right to say that. it's not the opposition saying this. it's transparency international... i know that. they say... transparency international say that... i have my doubts about their transparency, i can tell you. so, you think that the un human rights watch... un didn't say that. no, but in terms of the human rights record, you're saying that there's... i told you, human rights, they never thought about me, about my human rights when i lost all of my family members. i never received any support from them. why?

my whole family was assassinated, why didn't they raise... the americans, there are some people who think that the reason why they have imposed the sanctions on the paramilitary organisation is to put bangladesh back onto the path of the right human rights record. how do you respond to that? bangladesh always maintained human rights. human rights, it does not only mean the security of all. no, to me, human rights means their security, right to food, the right to vote, the right to live — right to vote, right to live — everything that we maintain. what about the rohingya? what about that community? rohingya community, you tell me. we give them shelter on human rights. which you received a lot of praise or internationally. they praise you for bringing 1

million people at a time of desperate need. the international community praised bangladesh, they praise you for bringing these people here. what's happened five years on is that there's overcrowding, arson, violence. there have been attempts to move them to another island, but there's concern around the flooding in that island, and that some rohingya have attempted to flee... i am very sorry, have you been there? have you seen the island? how we developed that island for them? those who are living, how they are living... those who now enter that island, they're living in a better way because we made arrangements for 100,000 families. the house, hurricane shelter — everything is there. who told you that it is flooding?

all are false. those who didn't go there, they can say,... so, that island does not flood prone? so, that island is not flood—prone? of course it is. it is flood proof, we built up an embankment. people are living there. even the children are getting at least health care and schooling, at least healthcare and schooling, their livelihood is better than this camp. it is a cramped place. it's a cramped place. and that area, actually it was totally destroyed, all the plant and everything. it was a deep forest, but totally gone. and now, they are fighting with each other, they are involved in drug trafficking or human trafficking, so we wanted that either the international community... before they brought this allegation, they should make

sure that they go back to their own country. yes, and they should live a better life. you mean go back to myanmar? yeah, of course. they should go back to their own country. do you think it's safe for them to go there? the un and other organisations should take care of that. in their own country, they are safe. it is their duty to do it, not ours. when they suffered, we brought them to our country. we made all that they needed. 40,000 women were pregnant. we had to establish field hospital and we make sure that they got all of the treatment — theirfood, everything. at the beginning, nobody come forward. it is bangladesh people, people from our country, they came forward and they supported them.

and in the island, that island is totally safe. and those who are living there are living in a better way. what about these repatriations back to myanmar? the un says that no—one should be forced to return. we are hearing reports, the bbc, that a group of about 20 rohingya were sent back to go and look at a facility to see if they could live there. and they have said that there were alsojunta leaders brought to cox's bazar, and they have told human rights groups they've told human rights groups that they were lied to and deceived into meeting with these militaryjunta by bangladeshi authorities. no, i don't know why they said that, they voluntarily went there because their representative came to talk to them voluntarily. they went there to see. nobody is telling lies, why should they lie? and tell you one thing, how can one country bear this burden of 10 million...

i mean, 1 million people? day by day, it is increasing. how long can we bear this burden? they should go back to their own country. and yes, voluntarily, they went there to see the condition. we didn't force them. how are you going to deal with this? well, we are asking the international community like the human rights commission, and un, and other international organisations they should make room for these people to go back organisations, they should make room for these people to go back to their country. it is their duty. they cannot forever put this burden on us. already, it is overpopulated country, and our common people and local people, they are suffering.

do you feel supported by the international community? yes, they are supporting us, but they couldn't make anything positive. that is the unfortunate thing, that, yes they are. when we discussed with them, they are supportive, they say, yes they should go back, and this and that, but they can't do anything in a positive way. that is my question. now, on humanitarian grounds, we give shelter to the rohingya people, right? it is humanitarian grounds. tell me one thing. when we give shelter such as for a big community, when we give shelter such a big community, big group, then how can this international community blame us, that we are violating human rights in our country when we can give shelter to other people from other countries? why should we violate human rights in our own country?

so, all the allegation is totally fabricated. i don't know why they are doing it. that is my question also. why this allegation to bangladesh? tell me again. thank you so much. hello. we have a lot of fine weather to come for the uk in the week ahead. very little rain to speak of. and for many, increasing amounts of sunshine will equate to temperatures working their way up. the reason it's going to be fine, big area of high pressure centred down here across the azores. down here across the azores — we often refer to it as the azores high. and through the course of the week, it will extend its way eastwards across the uk, and then later on in the week, it looks like if anything, we'll see the centre of the high eventually pushing across towards the uk. so, a lot of fine weather to come. 0vernight, perhaps a few showers across eastern england,

some strays getting pulled in on the breeze off the north sea. perhaps the odd spot of rain out of this old weather front dangling its way south into scotland, but nothing significant. clearer skies, northern england and the midlands — light winds here. we could see lows down to just three or four degrees, pretty chilly here for the time of year. monday — the high pushing its way eastwards sends those showers away from the northern coast. we see another weather front, the remnants of thereof, brushing into the high. from the north sea coast. we see another weather front, the remnants of thereof, brushing into the high. no success getting any significant rain out of it, but there will, i think, be thicker cloud, perhaps some drizzle across eastern scotland for a time early on on monday. by the afternoon, though, it will be looking much brighter here. any early showers from east anglia clearing away. a lot of sunshine, particularly later on in the day on monday, and our temperatures up to 22 degrees, perhaps 23 across england and wales, the high teens for southern scotland.

further north and into northern ireland, perhaps 16 degrees. the chelsea flower show gets into a on monday. a great—looking week here for anyone out on the site, with temperatures from the high teens to the low 20s . teens to the low 20s. you can see those temperatures vary a bit day on day, and that will be the case for many spots in the uk. all governed by exactly the wind direction. more off the north sea, you'll find things become cooler. more cloud feeding, and of course it becomes cooler. tuesday, a breeze off the north sea, 18 in london, down a little on monday, but a little more cloud as well. but overall, through the week ahead, as promised at the start, lots of fine weather to come, very little in the way of significant rainfall, and our temperatures, as we see more in the way of sunshine, working their way up.

live from london. this is bbc news... zelensky heads home from the g7 summit with new pledges of military support for ukraine. we need to unite and make russia the last aggressor. after the defeat of its invasion of ukraine, only peace will reign. the party of greece's prime minister, kyriakos mitsotakis, has claimed victory in sunday's elections — though it failed to win an outright majority. here the bbc understands the prime minister will speak to his ethics adviser about whether the home secretary broke the ministerial code over speeding. saudi arabia is set to make history — as the country sends its first ever female astronaut to the international space station.