UN Report Accuses Former Bangladesh Government of Crimes Against Humanity
Geneva, February 12, 2025 – A scathing report by the United Nations has accused Bangladesh’s former government, led by ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, of committing systematic human rights violations during last year’s violent crackdown on student-led protests. The report estimates that up to 1,400 people were killed, with thousands more injured, as security forces allegedly carried out mass killings and abuses.
A Brutal Crackdown
The UN Human Rights Office, in its report released on Wednesday, stated that the actions of the former government, along with its security forces and the ruling Awami League party, could amount to crimes against humanity. The findings, based on over 230 interviews, medical records, and extensive documentation including video evidence, paint a disturbing picture of state repression.
The protests, which erupted in July 2024 over a controversial quota system for government jobs, quickly escalated into a nationwide movement demanding Hasina’s resignation. The government responded with what the UN describes as a calculated strategy to crush dissent, involving extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, torture, and gender-based violence.
Key Findings of the Report
The UN report highlights several shocking details:
- 1,400 deaths – The majority of those killed were shot by security forces, with children accounting for 12-13% of the victims.
- Systematic violence – Security forces allegedly targeted unarmed protesters, often firing at close range.
- Gender-based violence – Women protesters faced threats of sexual violence to deter their participation.
- Retaliatory violence – Protesters also committed acts of violence against police and Awami League supporters, though on a lesser scale.
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk condemned the actions as “rampant state violence and targeted killings,” asserting that senior government officials were complicit in the abuses. “There are reasonable grounds to believe that crimes against humanity, including murder, torture, and imprisonment, were committed,” he stated.
Political Fallout and International Response
The protests and the subsequent crackdown led to Sheikh Hasina fleeing to India in August 2024, where she remains under Indian government protection. Bangladesh’s interim administration, now led by Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus, has sought her extradition on charges of genocide, crimes against humanity, and corruption. However, India has yet to respond to the request.
The release of the UN report has reignited tensions in Bangladesh. Earlier this month, a speech broadcast by Hasina from India triggered fresh violence, with protesters attacking a museum dedicated to her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. In response, the interim government launched Operation Devil Hunt, resulting in over 1,300 arrests of individuals linked to the unrest.
Calls for Accountability and Justice
The UN has urged Bangladesh to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the alleged crimes and ensure justice for victims. Türk emphasized that addressing these violations is crucial for national reconciliation and preventing future cycles of violence. “The best way forward for Bangladesh is to face the horrific wrongs committed, ensure accountability, and build a future where such violations cannot recur,” he said. He also suggested that international mechanisms, such as the International Criminal Court (ICC), could be pursued if domestic efforts fall short.
A Path Forward
The UN report underscores the urgent need for Bangladesh to confront its history of political violence and authoritarian rule. As the interim government works to rebuild democratic institutions, the international community’s support in ensuring accountability and justice will be critical.
For Bangladesh, the path to recovery lies in acknowledging past injustices, ensuring accountability, and fostering an environment where dissent is met with dialogue rather than repression.
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