UN Accuses Former Bangladesh Government of Possible Crimes Against Humanity

UN Accuses Former Bangladesh Government of Possible Crimes Against Humanity

The United Nations has accused former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government of being behind possible “crimes against humanity” as it sought to retain power last year.

According to a fact-finding report by the UN Human Rights Office, Hasina’s government carried out a systematic crackdown on protesters before she was ousted in a student-led revolution last August. The report alleges that between July 1 and August 15, the government was responsible for “hundreds of extrajudicial killings” and widespread human rights violations.

The UN investigation concluded that there were “reasonable grounds to believe” that crimes including murder, torture, and mass imprisonment were committed. These alleged crimes were carried out with the support of security forces, intelligence agencies, and violent elements of Hasina’s Awami League party as part of a broader attempt to suppress dissent and cling to power.

Mass Killings and Suppression of Protests

The UN report estimates that as many as 1,400 people were killed in a brutal 45-day crackdown, far surpassing the interim government’s estimate of 834 deaths. The majority of those killed were reportedly shot by security forces, with 12 to 13 percent of the victims being minors.

The violence erupted during protests that initially focused on civil service job quotas but quickly escalated into calls for Hasina’s resignation. The UN report describes a “calculated and well-coordinated strategy” by the former government, with security forces using mass arrests, detention, and torture to suppress the uprising.

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk stated, “There are reasonable grounds to believe that hundreds of extrajudicial killings, extensive arbitrary arrests, and torture were carried out with the knowledge and coordination of political leaders and senior security officials.”

Hasina in Exile, Arrest Warrant Issued

Hasina, now 77, fled to India after her ousting and has refused to return to Bangladesh, where she faces an arrest warrant for crimes against humanity. The UN urged Bangladesh to establish accountability mechanisms, stating that justice is essential for national healing and preventing future violations.

Rights Group Reports Ongoing Abuses

Bangladesh’s leading rights group, Odhikar, reported that at least a dozen people have died in detention since last year’s revolution, allegedly due to torture and gunshot wounds. The group accused security forces of continuing human rights abuses even after Hasina’s departure.

“The interim government should not let these crimes go unpunished,” said Odhikar’s director, ASM Nasiruddin Elan. He called for those responsible for extrajudicial killings to be brought to justice.

While Bangladeshi authorities claim they are investigating these incidents, human rights groups stress that stronger action is needed to prevent further abuses.

The UN has called for a “comprehensive process of truth-telling, healing, and accountability” to ensure such crimes are never repeated in Bangladesh.

Report : Al Jazeera