The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) has accused Bangladeshi security forces of using excessive and unnecessary force against student-led protesters, according to a recent report. The protests, which were primarily peaceful, aimed at opposing government job quota reforms, culminated in the ousting of the previous government.
The report highlights numerous human rights violations that occurred during the protests. These include extrajudicial killings, arrests accompanied by allegations of torture and ill-treatment, restrictions on freedom of expression—such as internet shutdowns—and impediments to freedom of movement. Through a combination of rubber bullets, sound grenades, and live lethal ammunition, law enforcement cracked down not only on peaceful protesters but also those involved in violent activities. The UNHRC suggests that such measures were disproportionate given the non-violent nature of most protests in Bangladesh.
Between July 16 and August 11, more than 600 people were reported killed, as outlined in statistics presented in the report. This level of force appears to contravene both domestic and international human rights standards, as set out by the United Nations Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials.
The UNHRC has recommended specific actions for the country’s political actors, interim government, and the international community. These proposals urge the interim government to provide clear instructions to law enforcement agencies to limit the use of force, especially firearms, in line with international human rights standards. Additionally, the recommendations call for facilitating peaceful protests without discrimination while ensuring the protection of public and private property from unlawful violence.
On Thursday, the United Nations also confirmed that it would be sending a team of experts to Bangladesh to investigate the protest-related killings. Following the collapse of the Sheikh Hasina government amid the job quota protests, an interim government has been established, with Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus now serving as the chief advisor.
For further details, refer to the full article on JURIST.