OHCHR report on 2024 protests in Bangladesh

{{Main|July Revolution (Bangladesh)|July massacre}}

{{See also|Human rights in Bangladesh}}

In the summer of 2024, Bangladesh experienced a wave of student protests demanding political reforms, better economic opportunities, and broader civil liberties.{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/bangladesh-student-protests-hasina-quota-arrests-mourning-e30fc4d7603edad5acacde1c97efbdc0|title=Bangladesh mourns some 200 deaths as student protests wind down and thousands are arrested|website=AP News|date=31 July 2024}} These protests grew significantly from July through mid-August and led to large-scale confrontations with security forces.{{cite news|url=https://dailyinqilab.com/bangladesh/news/675035|title=জুলাই গণহত্যা, নির্বিচার গুলি, গণ গ্রেপ্তার ও নির্যাতনের প্রতিবাদে সিলেটে 'গণধিক্কার' কর্মসূচি পালিত|language=bn|date=3 August 2024|newspaper=Daily Inqilab}} The government's response to the protests included the deployment of police and military units, which led to violent clashes. Over 1,400 people were reported to have died as a result of the violence during this period, with numerous others injured, detained, or subjected to mistreatment.{{cite news|url=https://www.kalerkantho.com/online/national/2024/08/13/1414550|title='গুলি করি, মরে একটা, আহত হয় একটা...বাকিডি যায় না স্যার'|language=bn|date=13 August 2024|newspaper=Kaler Kantho|archive-date=17 August 2024|access-date=22 February 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240817053310/https://www.kalerkantho.com/online/national/2024/08/13/1414550|url-status=live}} The violence, combined with reports of human rights abuses, prompted both domestic and international calls for an independent investigation into the events.{{cite web|url=https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/academics-citizens-call-un-investigation-quota-protest-killings-908131|title=Academics, citizens call for UN investigation into quota protest killings|date=2 August 2024|work=The Business Standard}} In response, the interim government of Bangladesh, led by chief advisor Muhammad Yunus, requested the United Nations to send a fact-finding team to investigate the situation.{{cite web|url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/foreign-affairs/356097/prof-yunus-un-investigation-into-july-august|title=Dr Yunus: UN probe into July-August uprising casualties to begin soon|date=25 August 2024|author=UNB|website=Dhaka Tribune|access-date=22 February 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/sp93pl3xwg|title=Chief adviser writes to Volker Türk to investigate incidents of rights violation|date=30 August 2024|website=Prothom Alo|access-date=22 February 2025}} The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights formed the fact-finding team to determine the scope of the violations and to provide an independent and impartial assessment of the events.{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/south-asia/un-to-send-fact-finding-team-to-investigate-rights-abuses-in-bangladesh/articleshow/112924440.cms|title=UN to send fact-finding team to investigate rights abuses in Bangladesh|author=TOI World Desk|date=30 August 2024|website=Times of India|access-date=22 February 2025}}

The primary objectives of the OHCHR Fact-Finding Team was to establish the facts regarding the human rights violations that occurred between July and August 2024.{{cite web|url=https://www.dw.com/en/bangladesh-will-un-probe-ensure-justice-for-protesters/a-70444438|title=Bangladesh: Will UN probe ensure justice for protesters?|date=9 October 2024|website=Deutsche Welle|access-date=22 February 2025}} This involved collecting evidence from various sources, including direct testimonies from victims and witnesses, documents, photographs, and videos that were not publicly available.{{cite web|url=https://bangladesh.un.org/en/278741-un-fact-finding-team-issues-call-submissions|title=UN Fact-Finding Team Issues Call for Submissions|date=16 September 2024|website=bangladesh.un.org|access-date=22 February 2025}} The team also sought to identify responsibilities for the abuses, including whether any government officials, security forces, or other groups were responsible for violations of international human rights law.{{cite web|url=https://www.jurist.org/news/2024/08/un-to-send-fact-finding-mission-to-bangladesh-following-political-upheaval/|author=Ojjaswini Gupta|title=UN to send fact finding mission to Bangladesh following political upheaval|date=17 August 2024|website=Jurist|access-date=22 February 2025}}

Another objective was to analyse the root causes of the violence, particularly the political, social, and economic factors that contributed to the unrest.{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/world/un-team-to-arrive-in-bangladesh-today-on-fact-finding-mission-to-probe-killings-of-protesters-3160230|title=UN team in Dhaka to discuss investigating process on human rights violations during recent unrest|date=22 August 2024|author=PTI|website=Deccan Herald|access-date=22 February 2025}} The mission sought to determine whether the violence was a result of systemic repression or specific actions taken by the government or law enforcement.{{cite web|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/human-rights-violations-un-deploy-fact-finding-team-coming-weeks-3690411|title=Human rights violations: UN to deploy fact-finding team in coming weeks|date=30 August 2024|website=The Daily Star|access-date=22 February 2025}} Furthermore, the team aimed to provide concrete recommendations to the government of Bangladesh on how to address past violations and prevent such abuses from occurring in the future.{{cite web|url=https://www.daily-sun.com/post/767344|title=UN fact-finding team seeks information on Bangladesh rights violations by Sept 30|date=16 September 2024|website=Daily Sun|access-date=22 February 2025}}

The Adviser for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Md. Touhid Hossain reiterated the government's support of the mission.{{cite web|url=https://www.newagebd.net/post/country/245530/govt-to-help-un-fact-finding-mission-if-they-seek-help-touhid|title=Govt to help UN fact-finding mission if they seek help: Touhid|author=United News of Bangladesh|location=Dhaka|date=18 September 2024|website=New Age (Bangladesh)|access-date=22 February 2025}}

The OHCHR Fact-Finding Team started their investigation on 14 September 2024 into the events of July and August 2024.{{cite web|url=https://www.banglatribune.com/national/862884/%E0%A6%B6%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%AC%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%A5%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%95%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%9C-%E0%A6%B6%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%81-%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%AC%E0%A7%87-%E0%A6%9C%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%BF%E0%A6%B8%E0%A6%82%E0%A6%98-%E0%A6%A4%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%A8%E0%A7%8D%E0%A6%A4-%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%B2|lang=bn|title=শনিবার থেকে কাজ শুরু করবে জাতিসংঘ তদন্ত দল|date=13 September 2024|website=Bangla Tribune|access-date=22 February 2025}} The team visited several key cities in Bangladesh, including Dhaka, Chattogram, Rangpur, and other locations affected by the protests and violence. Interviews were conducted with a range of individuals, including victims, witnesses, law enforcement officers, and medical practitioners.{{cite web|url=https://rtvonline.com/english/bangladesh/16557|title=UN 'Fact-Finding Team' Launches Investigation|date=14 September 2024|website=RTV|access-date=22 February 2025}} The team also collected information from human rights organisations, civil society groups, and other stakeholders involved in the protests.{{cite web|url=https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/un-fact-finding-team-stay-bangladesh-1-month-942671|title=UN fact-finding team to stay in Bangladesh for 1 month|date=16 September 2024|website=The Business Standard|access-date=22 February 2025}}

As part of its investigation, the mission called for submissions from individuals, groups, and organisations to provide additional evidence or testimonies that had not been made publicly available. The mission's investigation was independent of any national legal processes. The fact-finding team worked under the mandate of the United Nations Human Rights Office to determine the facts but did not have the authority to prosecute or arrest individuals.{{cite web|url=https://www.banglanews24.com/national/news/bd/1416712.details|title=জুলাই হত্যাকাণ্ডের বিষয়ে জাতিসংঘের প্রতিবেদন চূড়ান্ত হবে ডিসেম্বরেই|lang=bn|date=30 October 2024|website=Banglanews24.com|access-date=22 February 2025}}

The United Nations fact-finding mission on Bangladesh, published the report on 12 February 2025 by the OHCHR, documented widespread human rights violations during the protests between July and August 2024.{{cite web|url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/02/1160046|title=Bangladesh protests probe reveals top leaders led brutal repression|date=12 February 2025|website=UN News|access-date=22 February 2025}} The report, based on over 250 interviews and various digital pieces of evidence, outlined several key issues and conclusions regarding the crackdown by former Bangladeshi government officials.{{cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/2/12/former-bangladesh-govt-behind-possible-crimes-against-humanity-says-un|title=Former Bangladesh gov't behind possible 'crimes against humanity', says UN|date=12 February 2025|website=Aljazeera|access-date=22 February 2025}}

• The report found that security forces employed disproportionate force against protesters, including the use of live ammunition.{{cite web|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/crime-justice/news/hasina-oversaw-july-protest-killings-un-3822531|title=Hasina oversaw July protest killings: UN|date=13 February 2025|website=The Daily Star|access-date=22 February 2025}} An estimated 1,400 individuals were killed, many of them students or young people engaged in the protests. Security forces were accused of targeting protesters, journalists, and medical personnel.{{cite web|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2528099/un-accuses-sheikh-hasinas-government-of-widespread-human-rights-violations-in-bangladesh|title=UN Accuses Sheikh Hasina's government of widespread human rights violations in Bangladesh|date=12 February 2025|website=The Express Tribune|access-date=22 February 2025}} The report also inficates that three-quarters of protest deaths were caused by firearms, with 60 percent of them being shot with weapons "meant for war".{{cite web|url=https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/dcad5b988e90|title=UN report: gunfire accounts for 78pc of protest deaths, reveals cause of Abu Sayed's death|date=12 February 2025|website=Bdnews24.com|access-date=22 February 2025}}
• Thousands of individuals were detained without charge during the protests.{{cite web|url=https://www.business-standard.com/external-affairs-defence-security/news/sheikh-hasina-s-ousted-regime-carried-out-extrajudicial-killings-un-report-125021201003_1.html|title=Sheikh Hasina's ousted regime carried out extrajudicial killings: UN report|date=12 February 2025|website=Business Standard|access-date=22 February 2025}} The report found numerous cases of arbitrary detention, where individuals were subjected to beatings, torture, and ill-treatment in custody. It was reported that some detainees were forced to sign confessions or were denied access to legal representation.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/12/world/asia/bangladesh-hasina-un-report.html|title=U.N. Calls Bangladesh Protest Crackdown a Possible Crime Against Humanity|date=12 February 2025|website=The New York Times|author=Nick Cumming-Bruce|access-date=22 February 2025}} Many detainees were also subjected to enforced disappearances for extended periods.
• The report highlighted the gendered nature of violence during the protests. Women were subjected to sexual violence, including rape and harassment, by security forces and groups aligned with the ruling party Awami League.{{cite web|url=https://www.ohchr.org/en/stories/2025/02/un-human-rights-investigation-may-support-accountability-bangladeshi-student|title=UN Human Rights investigation may support accountability for Bangladeshi student protests repression|date=12 February 2025|website=ohchr.org|access-date=22 February 2025}}
• The report also indicated that journalists, human rights defenders, and activists were also targeted by the state. Over 50 journalists were injured or detained while covering the protests and many were harassed, and several media outlets faced government censorship or shutdowns.{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/un-rights-chief-bangladeshi-govt-suspected-rights-violations-protest-response-2025-02-12/|author1=Olivia Le Poidevin|author2=Sudipto Ganguly|title=UN reports grave rights violations in Bangladesh protest response|date=12 February 2025|website=Reuters|access-date=22 February 2025}}
• The report also documented widespread violence and destruction of public and private property following violent protests. Several key infrastructures, including transport networks, government buildings, and minority communities, were attacked, with reports of targeted violence against minorities during the unrest.{{cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/un-human-rights-report-bangladesh-violence-hindus-targeted-hindus-subject-to-violent-mob-attacks-un-bodys-report-on-bangladesh-violence-7703565|title="Hindus Subject To Violent Mob Attacks": UN Body's Report On Bangladesh Violence|date=13 February 2025|website=NDTV|access-date=22 February 2025}}

The report made several recommendations to address the violations identified:

1. The OHCHR called for independent, impartial investigations into the human rights violations committed by the security forces, particularly in relation to killings, torture, and enforced disappearances.{{cite web|url=https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k1f/k1fkfv0ylv|title=Human Rights Report on Bangladesh Protests|date=12 February 2025|website=UN Web TV|access-date=22 February 2025}}
2. There were calls for comprehensive reforms to the police and military justice systems to prevent further abuses. Additionally, the report recommended that laws (Anti-terrorism Act, 2009) allowing for excessive use of force in public demonstrations be repealed or revised to protect the right to peaceful protest.{{cite web|url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/foreign-affairs/373580/un-report-urges-sweeping-reforms-accountability|title=UN report urges sweeping reforms, accountability measures|author=Nawaz Farhin Antara|date=12 February 2025|website=Dhaka Tribune|access-date=22 February 2025}}
3. The report emphasised the need to ensure the protection of journalists, activists, and human rights defenders and turged the government to strengthen safeguards for freedom of expression, assembly, and association.
4. In light of the severity of the violations, the OHCHR recommended that the situation in Bangladesh be referred to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for further investigation into potential crimes against humanity.{{cite web|url=https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/r1t96kfuq9|title=UN rights chief suggests pursuing ICC, universal jurisdiction to bring back offenders|date=12 February 2025|website=Prothom Alo|access-date=22 February 2025}}
5. The OHCHR urged the United Nations and other international bodies to continue monitoring the situation in Bangladesh and provide technical assistance to the government in implementing the recommended reforms.{{cn|date=February 2025}}

• {{flagicon|United Nations}} United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk reiterated the findings of the OHCHR fact-finding team, calling them an essential tool for justice.{{cite web|url=https://www.unognewsroom.org/story/en/2513/un-human-rights-high-commissioner-volker-tuerk-report-on-bangladesh-press-conference|title=UN Human Rights High Commissioner Volker Türk Report on Bangladesh press conference|date=12 February 2025|website=unognewsroom.org|access-date=22 February 2025}} Türk criticised the former Bangladeshi government's response to the protests and urged it to respect the rights of all citizens, particularly in allowing the freedom to assemble peacefully and express dissent.{{cite web|url=https://webtv.un.org/en/asset/k12/k12dchmbhd|title=OHCHR - Press Conference: Fact-finding report on Bangladesh protests|date=13 February 2025|website=UN Web TV|access-date=22 February 2025}}
• Amnesty International issued a statement in support of the report, calling it a crucial step in holding the former Bangladeshi government accountable for its actions. Amnesty described the crackdown on protesters as "excessive and brutal" and urged the international community to pressure the Bangladeshi government to allow independent investigations and provide reparations to victims.{{cite web|url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2025/02/bangladesh-critical-un-report-must-spur-accountability-and-justice/|title=Bangladesh: Critical UN report must spur accountability and justice|date=13 February 2025|website=amnesty.org|access-date=22 February 2025}}
• Human Rights Watch similarly backed the findings, stressing the need for concrete actions to address the violations.{{cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/world/2025/Feb/13/human-rights-watch-urges-bangladeshs-interim-govt-to-uphold-impartiality-in-law-enforcement|title=Human Rights Watch urges Bangladesh's interim govt to uphold impartiality in law enforcement|date=13 February 2025|website=The New Indian Express|access-date=22 February 2025}} HRW's South Asia Director, Meenakshi Ganguly, urged Bangladesh to ensure justice for the victims of the violent crackdown.{{cite web|url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2025/02/12/bangladesh-uphold-impartiality-law-enforcement|title=Bangladesh: Uphold Impartiality in Law Enforcement|date=12 February 2025|website=hrw.org|access-date=22 February 2025}}
• International Society for Human Rights expressed "grave concern" over the findings and condemned the report's documentation of "extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, and torture", and called for immediate accountability.{{cite web|url=https://ishr.org/bangladeshs-human-rights-crisis/|title=Bangladesh's Human Rights Crisis: UN Report Reveals Abuses During Protest Crackdown|access-date=22 February 2025|website=ishr.org}}

Following the report, interim government's chief adviser Muhammad Yunus expressed his support for the report,{{cite web|url=https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/ppq15bjlwe|title=Interim government welcomes UN report|date=12 February 2025|website=Prothom Alo|access-date=22 February 2025}} stating:

{{Blockquote|I, along with everyone else working in the Interim Government and millions of other Bangladeshis, am committed to transforming Bangladesh into a country in which all its people can live in security and dignity.{{cite web|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/top-news/news/yunus-thanks-un-rights-office-probe-hasina-era-atrocities-3822506|title=Yunus thanks UN rights office for probe into Hasina-era atrocities|date=12 February 2025|website=The Daily Star|access-date=22 February 2025}}|source=Muhammad Yunus}}

Bangladesh Nationalist Party, one of the major opposition parties, welcomed the report and its findings, calling it a "wake-up call" for the Bangladeshi government.{{cite web|url=https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/politics/373606/bnp-urges-india-to-return-hasina-for-trial-after?utm_source=chatgpt.com|title=BNP urges India to return Hasina for trial after UN report on July uprising|author=UNB|date=13 February 2025|website=Dhaka Tribune|access-date=22 February 2025}} Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, the BNP general secretary, stated that the UN report was a critical document that confirmed widespread repression and political violence and called on the Indian government to repatriate Hasina.{{cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/world/bnp-urges-india-to-repatriate-former-bangladesh-pm-sheikh-hasina-after-un-report-13862905.html|title=BNP urges India to repatriate former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina after UN report|date=13 February 2025|website=Firstpost|access-date=22 February 2025}}

Shafiqur Rahman, ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, also endorsed the report calling it "a document of genocide" and called on the Interim Government to prosecute the perpetrators.{{cite web|url=https://www.kalbela.com/politics/163724|title=জাতিসংঘের তদন্ত প্রতিবেদন, জামায়াত আমিরের স্ট্যাটাস|lang=bn|date=12 February 2025|website=Daily Kalbela|access-date=22 February 2025}}

Mohammad A. Arafat, former Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting of Awami League urged global action against the interim government, citing the report highlights public fear under the administration. He also denied state-led violence as a conspiracy, accusing Muhammad Yunus’s administration of feeding false testimonies to UN inspectors using coerced state employees. While acknowledging security force lapses during past unrest, he demands Yunus’s resignation for partisan governance, advocating a return to presidential authority and fair elections to restore democracy and stability.{{Cite web |date=3 March 2025 |title=Awami League comments on United Nations Human Rights Report |url=https://albd.org/articles/news/41506/Awami-League-comments-on-United-Nations-Human-Rights-Report |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250302214053/https://albd.org/articles/news/41506/Awami-League-comments-on-United-Nations-Human-Rights-Report |archive-date=2 March 2025 |access-date=11 March 2025 |website=Awami League |language=en}}

The report mentioned that UN warned the Bangladesh Army about their human rights violations during protests, as involvements on human rights violations can cause restrictions from the United Nations peacekeeping.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/bengali/articles/cvgpn0mxmzjo|title=বাংলাদেশের সেনাবাহিনীকে সতর্ক করেছিল জাতিসংঘ, কতটা চাপ তৈরি করেছিল|first=Toaha|last=Faruque|lang=bn|date=7 March 2025|work=BBC}} In reaction, Inter-Services Public Relations denied it and said that the army is not aware about warning and probably the warning was given to the government instead of the army. They also claimed that the army worked for keep people safe during the protests.{{cite news|url=https://www.bonikbarta.com/bangladesh/fkSIujKfOD9jqaID|title=জুলাই আন্দোলন নিয়ে জাতিসংঘ থেকে কোনো বার্তা পায়নি সেনাবাহিনী —আইএসপিআর|lang=bn|date=11 March 2025|work=Bonik Barta}}

{{Reflist}}

Category:2025 documents

Category:United Nations reports

Category:United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

Category:Bangladesh and the United Nations

Category:Human rights abuses in Bangladesh

Category:Aftermath of the July Revolution (Bangladesh)

Category:Awami League scandals

Category:Yunus interim government