The U.N. human rights office estimates that up to 1,400 individuals may have been killed in Bangladesh during a crackdown on protests last summer. Security forces reportedly engaged in widespread rights violations, leading to thousands of injuries and detentions. The situation raises concerns about ongoing systemic issues, even with a new government in place.
According to a report from the U.N. human rights office, approximately 1,400 individuals may have lost their lives during a crackdown on student-led protests in Bangladesh last summer. The report outlines that security and intelligence services in the country engaged in systematic rights violations that could be classified as crimes against humanity, necessitating further investigation.
The U.N. rights office indicates that between July 15 and August 5 — coinciding with the departure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to India amid widespread unrest — a significant number of fatalities occurred. Most of the victims, including an estimated 180 children, were reportedly shot by the security forces.
It was noted in the report that over 11,700 individuals were detained during this period. Instances of summary executions, where security forces shot unarmed protestors at close range, were also documented. U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk emphasized that extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, and torture appeared to be coordinated efforts sanctioned by political leaders and top security officials.
The U.N. fact-finding mission, invited by interim leader Muhammad Yunus, aims to investigate the violent suppression of protests. The interim government has acted on the findings, reportedly making 100 arrests related to assaults on religious and indigenous communities. However, many perpetrators of violence continue to act with impunity.
Rory Mungoven, head of the Asia-Pacific region for the U.N. rights office, pointed out that although there has been a governmental change, the underlying systems remain unchanged, posing a potential conflict of interest against efforts for reform and accountability. The investigators have proposed several recommendations for the government, including improving the justice system and establishing a witness protection program.
The protests, initially ignited by student frustrations with a government job quota system, escalated into a broader uprising against Prime Minister Hasina. A judicial ruling reinstating the quota system in early June served as a catalyst for these demonstrations, which were also driven by persistent grievances regarding economic disparity and a lack of civil rights.
The ongoing human rights abuses in Bangladesh, as outlined by the U.N. report, underscore the critical need for accountability and reform. The findings reveal serious violations during protests against the former prime minister’s regime, with thousands killed and detained. Despite the change in government, the systemic issues persist, highlighting a need for substantive reforms and justice to prevent future violence and safeguard human rights.
Original Source: apnews.com
