UN says former Bangladesh govt behind possible ‘crimes against humanity’

UP TO 1,400 KILLED: A Chilling UN Report on Bangladesh’s Crackdown on Protests

A Fact-Finding Mission Uncovers the Horrors of State Violence
In response to the escalating unrest in Bangladesh, the UN rights office launched a fact-finding mission at the request of the country’s interim leader, Mohammed Yunus. The mission aimed to investigate allegations of human rights abuses during anti-government protests that began as demonstrations against civil service job quotas and later intensified into demands for the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. A team of investigators, including human rights experts, a forensic physician, and a weapons specialist, was dispatched to Bangladesh to gather evidence. Their findings, released in a damning report, painted a grim picture of state-sponsored violence and systematic suppression of dissent.

The report, based on over 230 confidential interviews with victims, witnesses, protest leaders, and rights activists, as well as reviews of medical records, photographs, and videos, revealed that Bangladesh’s security forces played a central role in quelling the protests. The violence escalated over 45 days, resulting in the deaths of up to 1,400 people, with thousands more injured. The majority of the fatalities were attributed to shootings by security forces, with children making up 12 to 13 percent of the victims. This toll far exceeds the interim government’s estimate of 834 deaths during the same period.

Rampant State Violence: A Calculated Strategy to Maintain Power
The report described the government’s response to the protests as a “calculated and well-coordinated strategy” to cling to power in the face of mass opposition. UN rights chief Volker Turk highlighted that the suppression was not spontaneous but a deliberate effort involving extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, detentions, and torture, all carried out with the knowledge and direction of political and security leaders. Testimonies and evidence gathered by the UN team revealed disturbing accounts of security forces targeting defenseless protesters, including instances where individuals were shot at point-blank range.

The violence was not limited to lethal force. The report documented cases of gender-based violence, including threats of rape aimed at intimidating women into staying away from protests. Children were particularly vulnerable, with accounts of them being killed, maimed, and subjected to arbitrary arrest and inhumane detention conditions. These findings underscore the appalling scale of human rights abuses committed during the crackdown.

Retaliatory Violence: A Cycle of Bloodshed
While the report focused primarily on state violence, it also acknowledged that some protesters had resorted to retaliatory violence. Lynchings and attacks on police and Awami League officials or supporters were documented, highlighting the complex and volatile nature of the unrest. These incidents further exacerbated the already dire situation, creating a cycle of vengeance and bloodshed.

A Call for Accountability and National Healing
In the aftermath of these revelations, UN rights chief Volker Turk emphasized the importance of accountability and justice for the victims and their families. He stressed that Bangladesh’s path forward lies in confronting the atrocities committed and implementing a comprehensive process of truth-telling, healing, and redress. Turk called for measures to ensure that such human rights violations never occur again, urging the nation to address the legacy of repression and rebuild trust in its institutions.

The UN report serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of unchecked state power and the importance of protecting fundamental human rights, even in the face of political instability. The people of Bangladesh deserve justice, and the international community must continue to advocate for transparency and accountability in the pursuit of a more equitable and peaceful future.