Nearly 1,400 Killed in Bangladesh's July-August Student Protests – OHCHR Report
Dhaka, February 12, 2025 — According to a report by the United Nations, nearly 1,400 people died during the student-led protests in Bangladesh. The report accuses the government of Sheikh Hasina of committing crimes against humanity by carrying out violent attacks on protesters to cling to power.
The UN report states that the Hasina-led government carried out "killings" and "persecution" of protesters, which could be considered crimes against humanity. The report further mentions that these acts of violence took place during political unrest in Bangladesh between July 1 and August 15 of the previous year.
The report also reveals that "hundreds of extrajudicial killings" were carried out by the government during the protests. Security forces, Awami League members, and government supporters attacked the protesters violently during this period.
The UN’s human rights office stated that 12-13 percent of those killed during the protests were children, most of whom were shot by the police. However, the interim government's data in Bangladesh reported 834 deaths, which is much lower than the number mentioned in the UN report.
Additionally, incidents of violence against minorities in Bangladesh have also sharply increased. In August 2024, the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council reported 2,010 cases of communal violence, including attacks on 69 temples, vandalism, arson, and physical assaults.
From August to December of last year, another 174 incidents of communal violence occurred, resulting in 23 deaths.
The UN report was prepared at the request of Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Mohammad Yunus. Yunus’ government had sent human rights experts, forensic doctors, and weapons specialists for the investigation, which was based on 23 interviews, medical records, photos, videos, and other documents.
Currently, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is facing an arrest warrant in Bangladesh, but she is residing in India.
