Desk:The United Nations has held former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina responsible for the violent protests in the country. On Wednesday, the UN stated that the previous government orchestrated attacks on demonstrators last year to retain power, leading to killings that could be considered “crimes against humanity.”
In its investigative report, the UN Human Rights Office revealed that Hasina’s government suppressed protests, resulting in hundreds of unlawful killings between July 1 and August 15, 2024. The report accused the former administration, members of the Awami League, and Bangladesh’s security and intelligence agencies of carrying out acts of murder, torture, illegal detention, and other inhumane actions.
The protests initially began over government job reservations but later escalated into demands for Hasina’s resignation. The UN estimates that around 1,400 people were killed and thousands injured, with many deaths caused by security forces’ gunfire. Shockingly, 12-13% of the deceased were children.
The report also exposed incidents of sexual violence against women and brutal treatment of children by security forces. Many children were beaten, arrested under inhumane conditions, and tortured.
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk condemned the actions, stating, “The former government’s brutal response was a calculated and coordinated strategy to retain power in the face of public opposition.” He added that thousands of killings, arrests, and acts of torture took place with the knowledge of political leaders and senior security officials.