The United Nations will dispatch a team of experts to Bangladesh next week to investigate the killings of protesters that occurred before and after the resignation of Sheikh Hasina as Prime Minister. Officials announced this development on Thursday, marking the first fact-finding mission of its kind in the country since its independence in 1971.
Muhammad Yunus, a Nobel Laureate, assumed his role as Chief Adviser of the interim government on August 8, following the collapse of Sheikh Hasina’s government and her flight to India on August 5 amid violent protests over quota reforms for government jobs. Yunus’ leadership comes in the wake of significant turmoil, with the Army stepping in to manage the situation after a power vacuum emerged.
The protests, initially centered on a government job quota for Liberation War veterans and their descendants, escalated into broader opposition against Hasina’s administration. The resulting clashes have left more than 500 people dead since mid-July, compelling the UN to step in and investigate the human rights abuses.
Chief Adviser Yunus also confirmed the UN investigation in a statement, noting that it will focus on the atrocities committed during the so-called Student Revolution. UN human rights chief Volker Türk, who reached out to Yunus, assured his support and emphasized the importance of adopting an inclusive, human rights-centered approach for a successful transition.
For further details, refer to the original article on JURIST.