• The protests began in July, sparked by the reinstatement of a quota system for civil service positions.
• Security forces responded with a violent crackdown and imposed a communications blackout.
• The new interim administration was led by Nobel-winning economist Muhammad Yunus.

UN investigators arrived in Dhaka on Thursday to initiate a probe into the hundreds of deaths during Bangladesh’s recent student-led protests, which resulted in the resignation of the country’s longtime prime minister.

Initially, peaceful demonstrations began in early July, sparked by the reinstatement of a quota system for civil service positions. Two weeks later, security forces responded with a violent crackdown and imposed a communications blackout.

In early August, protesters defied nationwide curfew rules and stormed government buildings, leading former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to resign and flee the country, ending her 15-year tenure.

The new interim administration, led by Nobel-winning economist Muhammad Yunus, has pledged to cooperate with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to ensure justice and accountability for the violence committed during the month-long uprising.

Rory Mungoven, chief of the Asia Pacific region at the OHCHR, is leading the three-member team, which met with Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen upon arrival in Dhaka.

Mungoven stated that the visit aimed to conduct “preliminary discussions” with the government.

“It’s really an exploratory visit to discuss with the interim government, with the advisors, with some of the ministries, with the civil society, with this broad section of Bangladesh society, to hear your priorities, your needs going forward and explore some areas where the office of the high commissioner could assist, including in the area of fact-finding and investigation,” Mungoven told reporters.

“The High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk is really inspired by the courage and commitment to democracy and human rights of the Bangladesh people, particularly the students and particularly the youth. And he sees this as a historic opportunity for the country in restoring democracy, renewing institutions, advancing human rights.”

According to the OHCHR’s preliminary analysis of the recent unrest in Bangladesh, published on August 16, the report indicates “strong evidence” that security forces used “unnecessary and disproportionate force” in their response to the student-led protests.

“Alleged violations included extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests and detention, enforced disappearances, torture and ill-treatment, and severe restrictions on the exercise of freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly,” the report reads.

“According to available public reports by media and the protest movement itself, between 16 July and 11 August, more than 600 people were killed … Thousands of protesters and bystanders have been injured, with hospitals overwhelmed by the influx of patients. The reported death toll is likely an underestimate.”

The security forces and the student wing affiliated with the then-ruling Awami League party have been attributed with the majority of deaths and injuries.

The report stated that casualties resulted from “the use of live ammunition and other force against protesters who, while acting violently, reportedly were not armed or were only lightly armed.” It also noted that security forces unlawfully used lethal force against protesters who posed no apparent threat, including unarmed protesters, bystanders, at least 4 journalists, and at least 32 children.

Most victims were student demonstrators, and their colleagues are now seeking justice and accountability.

“We want to believe that we will have a proper investigation,” Umama Fatema, coordinator of Students Against Discrimination, the main protest organizing group, told the News.

“We wanted the International Criminal Court and the UN to intervene in this situation from the very beginning. We just want a proper investigation, and we want to get a proper report. We want to see a proper report on the whole massacre that happened in Bangladesh.”

Also Read

UN team visits nuclear plant in Ukraine after being held up by fighting

IAEA inspectors to conduct "critical nuclear safety, security, and safeguards activities" in...