The UN accused Bangladesh’s former administration of orchestrating systematic attacks and killings of protesters during its attempt to maintain power last year, potentially constituting “crimes against humanity“.
In August last year, before student protests ousted Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, her administration violently suppressed demonstrators, with the UN citing “hundreds of extrajudicial killings”. The UN rights office cited “reasonable grounds to believe that the crimes against humanity of murder, torture, imprisonment and infliction of other inhumane acts have taken place.”
The UN report detailed how the government, alongside violent elements of the Awami League party and security services, conducted a “widespread and systematic attack against protesters and other civilians”. Hasina, aged 77, who sought refuge in India, currently faces an arrest warrant in Bangladesh.
At the request of interim leader Mohammed Yunus, the rights office deployed a team of specialists, including human rights investigators and experts. The investigation, based on over 230 interviews and extensive documentation, revealed security forces’ consistent support of Hasina’s administration throughout the unrest.
The report estimated approximately 1,400 casualties over 45 days, surpassing the interim government’s figure of 834. Security forces were responsible for most deaths, with children comprising 12-13 per cent of the victims.
UN rights chief Volker Turk described the response as a calculated strategy to retain power. “There are reasonable grounds to believe hundreds of extrajudicial killings, extensive arbitrary arrests and detentions, and torture, were carried out with the knowledge, coordination and direction of the political leadership and senior security officials as part of a strategy to suppress the protests,” he added.
The investigation also documented gender-based violence including rape threats and child victimisation. The report further noted retaliatory violence against police and Awami League members.