In a damning report presented on February 12, 2025, the United Nations human rights chief unveiled serious violations against protesters in Bangladesh. High Commissioner Volker Turk asserted that the former government systematically employed violent measures against demonstrators during the mass protests of the previous summer, where a culture of fear reigned. He noted evidence suggesting potential crimes against humanity in a crackdown that resulted in mass arrests and violence against anti-government activists.
The uprising ignited as a student-led campaign against public sector job quotas; however, it evolved into a widespread movement that ultimately forced Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to flee to India in early August 2024. Under her long tenure since 2009, Hasina faces allegations of heinous crimes including genocide and corruption, and Dhaka has formally requested India for her extradition, but responses from New Delhi remain elusive.
During the report’s unveiling, Mr. Turk revealed chilling statistics, highlighting that about 78% of the more than 1,000 fatalities resulted from lethal firepower, including military rifles and shotguns. The violence left many others with devastating, life-altering injuries. He remarked, “It’s a very brutal read,” as he described first-hand accounts from credible sources that illustrated the shocking brutality of the previous regime’s response to dissent.
The U.N. fact-finding mission, which came at the invitation of interim government leader Muhammad Yunus, uncovered evidence of enforced disappearances and arbitrary detentions. In their pursuit to quell dissent, senior officials facilitated serious violations with alarming awareness. The report’s findings have led the U.N. to insist on a thorough investigation into these allegations, underscoring the urgent need for accountability and justice in Bangladesh.
The United Nations revealed severe human rights violations in Bangladesh linked to the former government’s crackdown on protests last summer. High Commissioner Volker Turk’s report details a systematic attack on demonstrators, mentioning a staggering number of fatalities and life-altering injuries resulting from state violence. As Bangladesh faces international scrutiny, calls for accountability and further investigation into these crimes grow louder.
The U.N. report illuminates the grave human rights violations that occurred during the protests in Bangladesh, implicating the former government in brutal repression tactics. High Commissioner Turk’s findings underscore the urgent need for an independent investigation into crimes against humanity allegedly committed during this turbulent period. The ongoing scrutiny of former Prime Minister Hasina highlights the far-reaching consequences of the violent crackdown against dissenting voices in the country.
Original Source: www.thehindu.com
