UN human rights office: up to 1,400 deaths in protests in Bangladesh

Veröffentlicht:

Von:

The United Nations Office for Human Rights estimated on Wednesday that in Bangladesh up to 1,400 people could have been killed in the three weeks last summer in the course of a repressive measure against the former Prime Minister.

human rights violations in Bangladesh

In a new report by the Geneva-based office, it is determined that the security and secret services were “systematically” involved in human rights violations that may represent crimes against humanity and require a further investigation.

number of victims and injuries

The report relies on "various credible sources" and estimates that between 15 July and August 5th - the day on which long -time Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled to India - up to 1,400 people were killed in the protests. Thousands were injured in the weeks before and after the protests, with the vast majority of the killed and injured "shot by the security forces Bangladesh".

arrests and children's victims

over 11,700 people were taken into custody, according to the report on information from the security services. About 12 to 13 % of the estimated dead - up to 180 people - were therefore children. In some cases, "the security forces had carried out summary executions by shot unarmed demonstrators in a targeted manner".

coordination with the political leadership

The UN Head of Head Volker Türk referred to references that "extrajudicial killings, far-reaching arbitrary arrests and torture" were carried out with the knowledge and coordination of the political leadership and the highest security officers to suppress the protests.

Invitation to investigate

A UN medication team was sent to Bangladesh at Bangladesh at the invitation of the country's interim guide, the Nobel Prize winner Muhammad Yunus to examine the unrest and brutal suppression. According to the report, the transitional government reported that 100 arrests in connection with attacks on religious and indigenous groups. It is pointed out that "many perpetrators of retaliation measures, violence and attacks on certain groups apparently continue to enjoy impunity".

Current human rights situation

The human rights situation in Bangladesh remains critical, according to the UN office. Although the government has changed, "the system has not necessarily changed," Rory Mungoven, head of the regional department of Asia-Pacific of the Human Rights Office, told journalists. "Many officials and people who were served or appointed under the previous regime are still in office," he added. Such a situation creates “a potential conflict of interest” and could hinder reforms and responsibility.

recommendations for improvement

The investigators gave the government numerous recommendations, including steps to improve the judicial system and the establishment of a witness protection program. It was also recommended to ban the use of fatal firearms by the security forces to dissolve crowds, unless they are faced with a "impending danger to life or serious injuries".

call to comply with the constitutional state

In an explanation after the publication of the report, Yunus confirmed the commitment of his government for the protection of the rule of law and emphasized the need to reform the country's prosecution and judicial sectors. "I ask everyone who works in these institutions to work for justice, the law and the people of Bangladesh by taking their own colleagues into account the law broken and violated the rights of their fellow citizens," he said.

origin of the protests

What started as peaceful demonstrations of students who were dissatisfied with a quota system for government jobs unexpectedly developed into a big uprising against Hasina and her ruling Awami League party. A decision by the Supreme Court at the beginning of June, which restored the quota system, was the "immediate trigger" for the protests, which was also heated by long -lasting symptoms of economic inequality and lack of rights.