A recent report by the United Nations Human Rights Office has alleged grave human rights violations committed by Bangladesh’s former government, security forces, and violent elements linked to the Awami League party during last year’s student-led protests. The report suggests these actions may amount to crimes against humanity, necessitating urgent criminal investigations.
Systematic Repression and Extrajudicial Killings
The report, based on testimonies from senior officials in the interim government and other evidence, highlights a deliberate policy to violently suppress anti-government protests. It estimates that between July 1 and August 15, as many as 1,400 protesters were killed, with thousands more injured—most shot by security forces. Disturbingly, 12-13% of those killed were children, while 44 police officers also lost their lives.
Protests erupted following the High Court’s decision to reinstate a quota system in public service jobs, but they were fueled by deeper frustrations over entrenched economic inequalities, corruption, and authoritarian governance. According to the report, the former government, desperate to retain power, orchestrated a brutal crackdown on dissenters.
Hasina, who governed Bangladesh since 2009, is under investigation for alleged crimes against humanity, genocide, murder, corruption, and money laundering. Dhaka has requested her extradition from New Delhi. Both Hasina and her party reject the allegations, while New Delhi has yet to respond to the extradition request.
A Coordinated State Strategy to Crush Opposition
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk condemned the response as a “calculated and well-coordinated strategy” by the former administration. He stated that “there are reasonable grounds to believe that hundreds of extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, and acts of torture were carried out under the direct knowledge and coordination of senior political leaders and security officials.”
The investigation details disturbing patterns of targeted killings, including instances where protesters were shot at point-blank range. One particularly emblematic case is that of Abu Sayed, who was filmed confronting police with his arms spread wide at a protest at Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur. Analysis of video footage and forensic evidence confirmed he was shot at least twice with metal pellets from a distance of 14 meters, strongly suggesting an extrajudicial execution.
Violence Against Women and Children
Women protest leaders were also victims of state violence, including arbitrary arrests, torture, and threats of sexual assault designed to deter female participation in protests. The report further highlights that children were not spared, with security forces allegedly killing, maiming, and torturing minors. A 12-year-old protester in Dhanmondi died from severe internal bleeding caused by 200 metal shot pellets, while a six-year-old girl in Narayanganj was fatally shot in the head while observing protests from her rooftop.
On August 5, one of the bloodiest days of the protests, a 12-year-old survivor recounted how police opened fire indiscriminately, describing the scene as “firing everywhere like rainfall.”
Beyond direct violence, the report accuses security forces of obstructing medical care for injured protesters. Reports indicate that police interrogated patients, collected fingerprints, intimidated medical personnel, and confiscated hospital CCTV footage to track and suppress demonstrators.
Retaliatory Violence and Impunity
As the government began losing control, incidents of revenge violence also surged. Awami League supporters, police officers, and journalists were among those targeted. Minority groups, including Hindus, Ahmadiyya Muslims, and indigenous people in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, faced human rights abuses. While approximately 100 arrests have been made in connection with attacks on religious and indigenous communities, many perpetrators remain unpunished.
Calls for Justice and Reform
The UN report outlines comprehensive recommendations, including urgent reforms in Bangladesh’s security and justice systems, the abolition of repressive laws, and structural changes in political and economic governance. The High Commissioner emphasized the need for truth-telling, healing, and accountability, stating, “The best way forward for Bangladesh is to confront the horrific wrongs committed during this period, ensuring justice and institutional reform to prevent future violations.”
The U.N. fact-finding mission travelled to Bangladesh at the invitation of the interim government, led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus. The interim government issued a statement expressing “deep regret” over the report while reaffirming its commitment to prosecuting all those responsible for violence. The Government demonstrated cooperation with the UN inquiry, granting access to evidence and documentation.
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Manbilas Singh is a talented writer and journalist who focuses on the finer details in every story and values integrity above everything. A self-proclaimed sleuth, he strives to expose the fine print behind seemingly mundane activities and aims to uncover the truth that is hidden from the general public. In his time away from work, he is a music aficionado and a nerd who revels in video & board games, books and Formula 1.
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