The United Nations has implicated Bangladesh’s former government in systematic attacks against protesters during its attempt to maintain power amid civil unrest last year. This crackdown reportedly involved numerous extrajudicial killings, raising concerns that these actions may constitute crimes against humanity. A UN report expressed reasonable grounds to believe that murder, torture, and inhumane acts were employed against civilians, marking a widespread assault that claimed lives and inflicted suffering on many.
The situation escalated as protests erupted over civil service job quotas, evolving into a broader demand for the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. As the unrest intensified, violent tactics were used to silence dissenters, leading to an estimated 1,400 fatalities within just 45 days—mostly due to gunfire from security forces, as detailed by the UN’s human rights office. Notably, children accounted for a disturbing percentage of those killed.
In a poignant statement, UN rights chief Volker Turk described the former government’s violent tactics as a premeditated strategy to cling to power amidst widespread opposition. The report suggests that such violence, including extrajudicial killings and torture, was orchestrated by high-ranking officials and security personnel, revealing a narrative of pervasive state oppression throughout the crisis.
The UN’s investigation involved 230 interviews with victims and witnesses, alongside the review of medical files and visual documentation. The findings depict a harrowing landscape of abuse, featuring not only shootings and detainment but also acts of gender-based violence aimed at dissuading women’s participation in protests. The report raised alarming instances of violence against children and retaliatory lynchings against supporters of the prior regime.
Turk emphasised the crucial need for accountability and justice as prerequisites for healing and rebuilding trust in Bangladesh. He advocated for a comprehensive approach to acknowledge the atrocities committed during this tumultuous period, suggesting that only through truth-telling and redress can such serious human rights violations be prevented in the future.
The UN has accused the former Bangladeshi government of perpetrating systematic attacks and potential crimes against humanity during protests last year. Reports indicate that around 1,400 people may have been killed, primarily by security forces, amidst a crackdown on dissent. The investigation, which included interviews and evidence collection, highlighted extensive state violence and a pressing demand for accountability and justice to ensure such atrocities do not recur.
In essence, the UN’s report establishes a grave indictment against the former Bangladeshi government, detailing systematic violence and potential crimes against humanity during a turbulent phase of political unrest. With thousands affected and a high death toll reported, the call for accountability is stark. It highlights an urgent need for a truthful reconciliation process to address these violations and restore dignity for the victims.
Original Source: www.france24.com
