UN urges probe of killings in Bangladesh protests

31/10/2024 5:58

        A top UN official on
        Wednesday urged a probe into the killings in Bangladesh during
        protests that led to the downfall of ousted Prime Minister
        Sheikh Hasina, while also calling for minority protection and a
        national process of truth and healing.
        
        The South Asian nation has seen rising tensions and protests
        in recent months. Large demonstrations forced Hasina to flee to
        India on Aug. 5 and an interim government led by Nobel Peace
        Prize winning economist Muhammad Yunus took charge.
        
        "After any period of repression, upheaval and violence,
        there needs to be a national process of truth and healing to
        move forward," UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk
        said on Wednesday as he concluded a visit to Bangladesh.
        
        "The pursuit of justice for the brutal violence against
        protesters and other people – including children – killed and
        seriously wounded in July and August is a priority," he added.
        
        The protests began as a student-led movement against
        public-sector job quotas in July. Human-rights groups had
        accused Hasina of using excessive force against protesters, a
        charge she denied.
        
        The unrest was some of the deadliest since the country's
        independence in 1971, resulting in over 1,000 deaths and
        numerous injuries, many of them among protesting university and
        college students, according to the Bangladeshi interim health
        ministry.
        
        The unrest continued after Hasina fled as her party
        officials and supporters faced the wrath of demonstrators.
        Attacks were reported against Bangladeshi minorities.
        
        Türk said his office's fact-finding mission is investigating
        allegations of attacks against minorities between Aug. 5 and
        Aug. 15.
        
        "It is vital that the authorities respond quickly to any
        incidents reported, by conducting thorough investigations and
        holding perpetrators accountable," he added.