The UN has condemned the former government of Bangladesh under Sheikh Hasina for its violent crackdown on protesters, suggesting actions may constitute crimes against humanity, with at least 1,400 deaths reported.
UN Accuses Former Bangladesh Government of Potential Crimes Against Humanity
UN Accuses Former Bangladesh Government of Potential Crimes Against Humanity
Reports highlight systematic violence against protesters during last year's unrest, prompting calls for accountability.
UN human rights investigators have issued a stark warning regarding the brutal actions of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government, asserting that the systematic violence employed against protesters last year may amount to "crimes against humanity." The findings highlight that as many as 1,400 individuals, primarily killed by security forces, lost their lives during a time when the government faced extensive opposition.
The UN's investigation revealed an "official policy to attack and violently repress anti-government protesters," allegedly orchestrated by political leaders and high-ranking security officials. Following escalating protests that began with student-led demonstrations against job quotas, Hasina fled the country on a helicopter to India in August, just before her residence was stormed by demonstrators.
The report indicates that the violence, the most severe Bangladesh has experienced since its 1971 war of independence, was a calculated tactic to maintain power amid growing dissent. UN human rights chief Volker Türk, speaking in Geneva, noted that there is substantial evidence implicating the former government in numerous grave human rights violations, which included "point-blank" shootings of protesters, deliberate maiming, arbitrary arrests, and torture.
The report estimates that approximately 13% of those killed during the conflict were children, highlighting the indiscriminate nature of the government's repression. It calls for accountability for the multiple extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detentions, and torture inflicted during this period, fostering a disturbing image of state-sponsored violence.
Bangladesh's current caretaker leader, Muhammad Yunus, has expressed commitment to transforming the country into a safe and dignified environment for all citizens. The UN report, compiled from over 230 interviews and extensive documentation, indicates a far greater death toll than officially acknowledged by the Bangladeshi government, which has reported a significantly lower figure of 834 fatalities.
In addition to focusing on the actions of government security forces, the UN report also emphasizes the need to investigate violence against individuals perceived as supporters of Hasina's party, as well as against various religious and ethnic groups caught in the crossfire. The global community now watches closely, urging transparency and justice for the victims and their families.
