The United Nations released a report on Wednesday detailing severe human rights violations committed by the former government of Bangladesh, led by the now-exiled Sheikh Hasina, during a crackdown on anti-government protests last year.
The report estimates that up to 1,400 people may have been killed, the majority by security forces, and suggests that these actions may constitute crimes against humanity. UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk further urged accountability for the perpetrators of the violence and called on those within Bangladeshi institutions to support justice and uphold the human rights of all citizens.
The UN investigation further revealed a systematic effort to suppress protests against Hasina’s government, which had been in power since 2009. The report cites evidence, including testimony from senior officials, indicating an official policy to violently repress anti-government protesters and their supporters. Türk described the report as a “very brutal read,” noting that 78 percent of the deaths were caused by firing from military rifles and shotguns. The UN also reported that over 11,700 people were detained during the crackdown, and an estimated 12-13 percent of those killed were minors.
The interim government in Dhaka, led by Muhammad Yunus, has expressed regret over the report’s findings and intends to prosecute those responsible for the violence. The UN fact-finding mission visited Bangladesh at the request of Yunus’ administration. The report also noted that in some instances, security forces carried out summary executions by deliberately shooting unarmed protesters at close range.
The backdrop to the recent crisis in Bangladesh involves a complex interplay of socio-economic grievances and political tensions. The protests began as a student movement against public sector job quotas but evolved into a broader uprising demanding the removal of Hasina and her Awami League Party. The protests intensified following a harsh police response, leading to widespread unrest. Ultimately, Hasina was forced to resign and flee to India as protesters stormed her residence in Dhaka. Hasina is currently being investigated on suspicion of crimes against humanity, genocide, murder, corruption, and money laundering. The interim government in Dhaka has requested that India extradite Hasina.
