Ethnic and religious minorities, including Hindus, Ahmadiyya Muslims, and indigenous groups in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, were also subjected to violence. The report acknowledges that while some arrests have been made concerning these attacks, many perpetrators remain at large.

A recent report of the United Nations Human Rights Office has shed light on the brutal repression of last year’s student-led protests in Bangladesh. The findings reveal a systematic and calculated response by the former government, its security and intelligence services, and violent elements associated with the ruling Awami League party. The report, based on extensive interviews and forensic evidence, estimates that as many as 1,400 people were killed, thousands were injured, and over 11,700 individuals were arbitrarily arrested or detained. Disturbingly, between 12-13 per cent of those killed were children.

The report authored by the Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), says that the protests were initially triggered by the High Court’s decision to reinstate a quota system in public service jobs, reserving 30 percent of positions for descendants of independence war fighters. However, the demonstrations quickly evolved into a broader movement against deep-seated corruption, economic inequality, and political repression.

The mass mobilisation saw participation from people across different backgrounds, including women and children. Faced with this growing opposition, the former government resorted to increasingly violent means to maintain power.

The UN report describes a deliberate strategy orchestrated at the highest levels of the former administration. UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk stated: “The brutal response was a calculated and well-coordinated strategy by the former Government to hold onto power in the face of mass opposition.”

“There are reasonable grounds to believe hundreds of extrajudicial killings, extensive arbitrary arrests and detentions, and torture, were carried out with the knowledge, coordination and direction of the political leadership and senior security officials as part of a strategy to suppress the protests.

Former senior officials, security personnel, and political insiders provided testimony on how operations were planned and executed. The report highlights large-scale, coordinated efforts involving extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, torture, and suppression of dissent.

Children, Women, Minorities

Security forces engaged in targeted assassinations, often shooting at point-blank range. One documented case is that of Abu Sayed, a 23-year-old student at Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur. Video footage and forensic analysis confirmed that he was shot at close range while standing unarmed with his arms raised.

One of the most shocking aspects of the crackdown was the indiscriminate killing of children. A 12-year-old boy in Dhanmondi reportedly died from internal bleeding after being struck by over 200 metal pellets. In another case, a six-year-old girl was killed by a stray bullet while watching protests from her rooftop in Narayanganj.

On August 5, one of the bloodiest days of the unrest, a 12-year-old survivor in Azampur recalled: “Police were firing everywhere like rainfall.” He recounted seeing at least a dozen bodies.

Women, particularly those in leadership roles within the protests, faced arbitrary arrests, torture, and gender-based violence, including threats of rape. These abuses were designed to deter female participation in the movement.

Furthermore, security forces obstructed critical medical care for injured protesters. Medical personnel faced intimidation, and hospitals were raided for patient records and CCTV footage. Protesters seeking medical attention were often arrested or denied treatment.

As the former government lost control, retaliatory attacks targeted Awami League officials, police officers, and media personnel. Ethnic and religious minorities, including Hindus, Ahmadiyya Muslims, and indigenous groups in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, were also subjected to violence.

The report acknowledges that while some arrests have been made concerning these attacks, many perpetrators remain at large.

Employing Forensic Technology

The fact-finding team based its conclusions on 230 confidential, in-depth interviews with victims, witnesses, students, protest leaders, civil society members, medical professionals, and others. Additionally, 36 interviews were conducted with senior government officials, security sector representatives, and political figures. A forensic physician from UN Human Rights examined 29 victims and reviewed 153 medical case files, while a weapons expert analysed thousands of audiovisual materials to verify the use of various firearms, less-lethal weapons, and ammunition.

“We employed the latest digital verification technology to validate the information received and ensure that our findings align with our methodology, which requires reasonable grounds to believe an event occurred,” said Alex El-Jundi, Chief of UN Human Rights’ Investigation Support Section.

The report emphasised that the ‘reasonable grounds’ standard of proof is lower than the threshold for establishing individual criminal guilt but is sufficient to warrant further investigation by relevant authorities.

“This is not the first time the High Commissioner has launched an inquiry under his mandate. However, it is the first time we have deployed with enhanced expertise and high-grade digital technology to analyse the evidence,” El-Jundi added.

International Crimes and Calls for Justice

The UN report suggests that the severity of the violence may constitute crimes against humanity under international law. As Bangladesh is a signatory to the Rome Statute, the findings could pave the way for international criminal investigations.

To support accountability efforts, the UN dispatched a team of investigators, forensic experts, and weapons specialists to Bangladesh in September. Their work involved 230 confidential interviews with victims, medical professionals, and government officials, as well as the analysis of thousands of digital materials, including satellite images and videos.

Since taking office, the Interim Government, led by Chief Advisor Mohammed Yunus, has cooperated with the UN investigation and pledged to address the abuses of the past. However, structural deficiencies in law enforcement and the judiciary remain significant obstacles to justice.

The UN has provided a set of recommendations, including security sector reforms, the abolition of repressive laws, and broader political and economic reforms. High Commissioner Türk emphasised the importance of acknowledging past atrocities: “The best way forward for Bangladesh is to face the horrific wrongs committed through a comprehensive process of truth-telling, healing, and accountability.”

The international community is closely watching how Bangladesh proceeds. Calls for justice, including potential trials at the International Criminal Court, are gaining momentum. The UN has offered continued support to ensure accountability and prevent future human rights violations.

As Bangladesh grapples with the aftermath of these events, the victims and their families continue to seek justice and answers, hoping that their suffering will not be in vain.