UN report accuses Bangladesh government of systematic human rights violations in July-August unrest

A United Nations investigative team has uncovered evidence of serious human rights violations committed by the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the ruling Awami League in response to protests by students, workers, and the general public during July and August. The UN report, which details events from July 1 to August 15, confirms that these violations were part of a coordinated effort involving top government officials, security forces, intelligence agencies, and allied political groups.

The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) conducted the independent investigation at the invitation of Bangladesh’s interim government. The 2024 report highlights extrajudicial killings, torture, arbitrary arrests, and the excessive use of force by security agencies to suppress protests, implicating both the Awami League and various state agencies.

The findings were released during a press conference at the Palais des Nations in Geneva on Wednesday, 9:30 AM local time (2:30 PM Bangladesh time).

What did the UN team discover?

The UN team carried out field investigations in cities including Dhaka, Chattogram, Rangpur, Rajshahi, Khulna, Bogura, Sylhet, and Gazipur. They conducted over 230 interviews with victims and eyewitnesses and took testimonies from former and current government officials. The investigation reveals that the human rights violations were planned at the highest levels of government, with security agencies playing a central role in executing the orders.

A pattern of violence

The report underscores the close coordination between armed groups of Awami League supporters and law enforcement agencies in suppressing protests. It further details a meeting on July 18, led by the then Minister of Home Affairs, with senior police officers and other security officials, during which orders were given for the use of lethal force to quell protests.

Killings and Torture

According to OHCHR sources, nearly 1,400 people were killed during the unrest, many of them shot with military-style rifles and metal-pellet shotguns. Thousands more were injured, some permanently disabled. Children were also targeted, with widespread reports of arbitrary killings and torture.

Gender-based violence

The report also highlights the particularly brutal treatment of women protesters during the unrest. Security forces and Awami League supporters were involved in sexual violence, including threats of rape and physical abuse, against women.

Recommendations from the UN

The UN report recommends urgent reforms to Bangladesh's judicial and security systems to ensure accountability and prevent future human rights violations. It stresses the need for an independent and impartial judiciary to address these systemic issues and uphold justice for victims.

This investigation has sparked a renewed international conversation on Bangladesh’s political landscape and the actions of its government and security forces. It presents a critical moment for human rights protection and accountability in the country.