Over 1,400 killed in July Uprising: UN report reveals disturbing human rights violations

A new investigation by the United Nations reveals that over 1,400 people may have been killed during the July uprising in Bangladesh, as the report sheds light on widespread human rights abuses. 

The findings were shared on Wednesday by the UN’s fact-finding mission.

The deadly events unfolded between July 1 and August 15 of the previous year. 

The report reveals that among those killed, about 12 to 13 percent were children. In addition, 44 Bangladesh Police officers were also reported as victims, according to the police themselves.

The report highlights the alarming number of injuries sustained during the protests, many of which were caused by gunshots fired by security forces. 

Thousands of people were hurt in the chaos, with some of them suffering life-threatening injuries.

The UN investigation points to the former Bangladeshi government and its security and intelligence agencies as being responsible for severe violations of human rights during the protests led by students. 

These violations were reportedly carried out with the help of violent groups linked to the Awami League.

The investigation also uncovers disturbing testimonies from senior officials and internal sources, revealing how top government leaders, including the former Prime Minister, gave direct orders for the use of lethal force against protesters. 

Security and intelligence forces were involved in the killing of protesters, arbitrary arrests, and torture.

The report describes how security forces deliberately targeted protesters, even firing from extremely close range in some instances. These actions were part of a broader strategy aimed at suppressing the protests and maintaining power despite growing opposition.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, commented, 

“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.”

Turk further emphasized, 

“The testimonies and evidence we gathered paint a disturbing picture of rampant State violence and targeted killings, that are amongst the most serious violations of human rights, and which may also constitute international crimes. Accountability and justice are essential for national healing and for the future of Bangladesh."

At the request of Bangladesh’s Interim Government, led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, the UN Human Rights Office sent a team to investigate the situation. 

This team, consisting of human rights experts, a forensic doctor, and an arms specialist, conducted an independent and impartial investigation into the deadly events that took place last year.

The Interim Government fully cooperated with the investigation, granting access and providing the necessary documents to help uncover the truth behind the tragic events.

This report brings a critical focus to the scale of the violence and human rights violations that occurred during the July uprising and sets the stage for accountability and justice moving forward.