The United Nations has released an investigative report on human rights violations that occurred during the July uprising in Bangladesh.
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights conducted an independent fact-finding mission to investigate alleged human rights violations and abuses that took place between July 1 and August 15, 2024, in connection with the July uprising.
The investigation aimed to understand the widespread protests in Bangladesh and their immediate impact.
According to the report, published on Wednesday (February 12), over 1,400 people may have been killed in Bangladesh between July 1 and August 15 last year. Thousands more were injured, many of whom were shot by Bangladesh’s security forces.
The report also stated that 12-13% of those killed were children. Meanwhile, Bangladesh Police reported that 44 of their officers were killed.
According to the UN report, the former government of Bangladesh, along with security and intelligence agencies, were systematically involved in serious human rights violations during the student-led protests last year. These incidents were linked to violent elements associated with the Awami League.
However, legal actions in response to these violations were only taken against police officers and Awami League activists. No legal measures were taken against military personnel, RAB (Rapid Action Battalion), DGFI (Directorate General of Forces Intelligence), or NSI (National Security Intelligence) who were on duty at that time.
As of January 30, investigations were ongoing against 458 police officers, with 35 removed from their positions and 163 temporarily suspended. The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) took action against two mid-level officers for human rights violations.
The RAB returned its officers to their parent forces but did not face any criminal charges. No investigation or accountability measures were reported from DGFI, Ansar, or NSI.
The report highlighted that the previous government, security forces, and intelligence agencies, in coordination with the Awami League, were systematically involved in over a hundred extrajudicial killings, excessive use of force resulting in serious injuries to thousands of protesters, arbitrary detentions, torture, and other severe human rights violations.
These actions were part of a coordinated strategy by political leadership and security forces to suppress protesters and dissenting voices.
The UN report estimates that around 1,400 people may have been killed, most of whom died from military-grade weapons and shotgun fire used by security forces.
Thousands of students and civilians were severely or permanently injured. More than 11,700 people were arrested by the RAB and police. Among the deceased, 118 were children.
The report accused police and other security forces of targeting children for assassination, intentional maiming, arbitrary arrests, inhumane torture, and other forms of excessive force.
The UN fact-finding team also found evidence of security forces using SKS, Type-56, and BD-08 rifles, firing 7.62 mm bullets at unarmed civilians.
