Violent mobs in Bangladesh have carried out severe revenge attacks since early August last year, primarily targeting police officers and members of the ruling Awami League (AL), according to a newly released United Nations report.
The report, issued today (12th February) by the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR), also highlights human rights abuses against religious and ethnic minorities, including Hindus, Ahmadiyya Muslims, and indigenous communities from the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Victims faced attacks on their homes and places of worship.
According to the UN, violence escalated significantly from August 4, particularly after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left the country on August 5. Protesters and mobs stormed police stations, with reports indicating that 450 out of Bangladesh’s 639 stations were damaged or destroyed. Many officers either fled or were allowed to leave, while others were killed.
Between July 1 and August 15, Bangladesh Police reported 44 officers killed and 2,308 injured. Other security forces also suffered casualties, including the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), which lost three members, and the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), which reported two deaths and 307 injuries.
The Awami League provided the UN with a list claiming 144 of its members were killed during the violence, but OHCHR stated it could not independently verify these figures.
Breakdown of Law and Order :
Following Sheikh Hasina’s departure, police forces were unable to maintain control in several areas, leading to widespread chaos. In some instances, officers were lynched by mobs. The breakdown of law enforcement allowed for further violence and opportunistic crime.
Journalists and media outlets perceived as pro-government were also targeted, with the UN calling for independent investigations into attacks on reporters and news organizations.
UN Calls for Urgent Action
The OHCHR urged Bangladesh to conduct impartial investigations into the violence and hold those responsible accountable. The report warns that failure to address the situation could further destabilize the country and threaten its democratic institutions.
The Bangladeshi government has not yet responded to the UN’s findings.