Report finds 1,400 protesters killed, including children, as Hasina regime violently suppressed dissent before her ouster
A United Nations inquiry has accused the Sheikh Hasina-led government, which was ousted last year, of orchestrating systematic attacks on protesters and overseeing "hundreds of extrajudicial killings," AFP reported. The report, covering events between July and August 15, 2024, estimates that around 1,400 demonstrators were shot dead, with children making up 12-13% of those killed.
Bangladesh witnessed massive protests during that period, initially sparked by student groups demanding the abolition of a controversial quota system in government jobs. The movement quickly escalated into a broader campaign calling for Hasina’s removal. As agitation intensified, demonstrators stormed her residence, forcing her to flee to India.
According to the UN report, the Hasina regime systematically used violence to suppress dissent. "We have reasonable grounds to believe that the crimes against humanity of murder, torture, imprisonment, and infliction of other inhumane acts have taken place," the report stated.
The findings are based on over 230 interviews conducted in Bangladesh by human rights investigators and forensic experts. Testimonies from victims, witnesses, protest leaders, and activists revealed widespread human rights violations, including arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, and brutal crackdowns on dissenting voices.
The report has intensified global scrutiny over the Hasina administration's actions in its final days. International human rights groups have condemned the atrocities, urging accountability for those responsible. The Bangladesh government, now under a new administration, has yet to formally respond to the allegations.
As the UN calls for further investigations and potential legal action, the findings add to the growing debate on political violence and suppression in Bangladesh. The international community is expected to press for justice, while the victims' families continue to seek answers and accountability.
