UN to Probe Human Rights Abuses in Bangladesh Following Sheikh Hasina’s Ouster

The United Nations will deploy a fact-finding mission next week to investigate alleged atrocities committed during the Student Revolution that took place in July and earlier this month, according to the country’s interim government. The mission is expected to focus on “widespread human rights abuses.”

The UN’s decision to send a team to Bangladesh follows the recent turmoil that led to the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, confirmed the upcoming visit in a statement on Thursday, revealing that the mission was arranged during a phone conversation between UN human rights chief Volker Turk and Yunus on Wednesday.

In the aftermath of Hasina’s fall from power on August 5, violence swept across Bangladesh, particularly targeting the Hindu community, which has reported at least 278 attacks since her departure. Over 230 people have died in the violence that erupted following the collapse of Hasina’s government, with the total death toll reaching 560 during the three weeks of unrest. The violence was initially sparked by student protests against a controversial quota system in government jobs.

Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal announced earlier today that it has initiated an investigation into Sheikh Hasina and nine others for alleged genocide and crimes against humanity committed between July 15 and August 5, during the mass student movement against her regime. A formal complaint was lodged with the tribunal’s investigation agency on Wednesday, accusing Hasina and several others of perpetrating these atrocities.

The interim government has also declared that all murders occurring between July 1 and August 5 will be prosecuted by the International Crimes Tribunal. During her 15-year rule, Hasina’s administration faced numerous accusations of human rights abuses, including mass detentions and extrajudicial killings of political opponents. She fled to India via helicopter 10 days ago, seeking refuge as the student-led protests culminated in her abrupt departure.

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In a related development, a Dhaka court on Thursday ordered the police to submit a probe report by September 15 concerning the case against Sheikh Hasina and six others for the death of Abu Saeed, a grocery store owner who was killed in police firing during the quota protests in Mohammadpur on July 19.

Following Hasina’s resignation, an interim government was established under Muhammad Yunus, who has pledged to implement necessary administrative and political reforms while ensuring accountability for those responsible for the recent violence.