According to the United Nations fact-finding team’s findings, human rights violations continue even during the interim government. The report of the United Nations fact-finding team has revealed that incidents of human rights violations are occurring in the country even during the interim government. It stated that since the beginning of August, violent mobs have targeted and carried out serious retaliatory acts, including killings, against police officers, Awami League leaders and activists, and various individuals.
According to the United Nations: During this time, members of the Hindu, Ahmadiyya Muslim, and indigenous communities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts have also been subjected to human rights violations. Their homes were attacked and set on fire. Shrines, temples, and other religious sites were also targeted. Authorities failed to take effective measures against these crimes committed by individuals not associated with state forces, thereby failing to protect the human rights of the victims.
These findings were presented in the fact-finding team’s report, published in Geneva on Wednesday. The report stated that Bangladesh has been trapped in a cycle of impunity and retaliation for a long time. Many individuals involved in retaliatory violence and persecution of specific religious and indigenous communities since early August appear to have enjoyed impunity. On October 14 last year, the government announced that “students and the public who contributed to the success of the mass uprising will not face prosecution, arrest, or harassment. Most of the violence occurred as self-defense and in response to severe provocation.” However, the OHCHR believes that perpetrators of killings, sexual violence, looting, arson of residential buildings, and ethnic, religious, and gender-based violence must not be granted immunity.
The report highlights various incidents that occurred after August 5, including the killing of law enforcement officers, attacks on police stations and arson, assaults and killings of Awami League leaders and activists, sexual harassment and rape of women, vandalism, arson, and looting of homes and businesses belonging to Awami League supporters, attacks on Hindus, Ahmadiyya Muslims, and indigenous communities in the hills, destruction and arson of shrines and temples, and assaults on media organizations and journalists.
According to the report, in early August, the previous government gradually lost control, and during this time, mobs engaged in retaliatory killings and other violent acts. Particularly, Awami League leaders and activists, individuals perceived to be Awami League supporters, police officers, and media outlets perceived to be pro-Awami League were attacked. Before and after the protests, members of the Hindu community, Ahmadiyya Muslims, and indigenous communities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts were subjected to violent mob attacks. Some supporters and local leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami and BNP were also involved in these attacks. However, according to the available information, these incidents do not appear to have been planned or organized by the national leadership of these parties. The leaders of these parties condemned the violence targeting minority communities.
The report stated that after taking power on August 8, the interim government prioritized restoring law and order. Temporarily, army personnel, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), and Ansar-VDP members were deployed to police stations. Within a few days, the government managed to restore the functioning of the police, although their effectiveness remained limited. The government was unable to completely prevent retaliatory attacks and violence. In the first few days of assuming office, the chief advisor of the interim government urged the public to refrain from all forms of violence. He called on political parties to remain peaceful, condemned attacks on minority communities, and urged the youth to step forward in protecting Hindus and other minority groups.
The report emphasized that, in accordance with human rights obligations, the interim government must ensure the safety and security of individuals at risk of serious persecution by others. At the same time, it must conduct a prompt and impartial investigation into the attacks on Awami League supporters, police officers, and members of specific religious and indigenous communities. However, the interim government has not provided the requested information to ensure its accountability in this regard. The government has publicly stated that at least 100 individuals have been arrested in connection with communal attacks on minorities. However, it has yet to disclose comprehensive statistics on the total number of arrests made for retaliatory violence against Awami League supporters or police officers.
The report noted that the interim government has initiated proceedings to bring perpetrators of serious human rights violations committed during the previous government’s tenure to justice. Cases have been filed against senior officials in both regular courts and the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT). However, these efforts are facing various challenges due to pre-existing structural weaknesses in law enforcement and the judiciary. The report also highlighted concerns over certain police practices, such as mass arrests based on politically motivated cases.
According to police data, 98,137 individuals have been accused in 1,181 cases. Among them, 25,033 are political leaders, meaning that each case includes an average of 21 political leaders and a total of 84 accused individuals. Such mass cases indicate that many individuals who are not involved in crimes have either been arrested or are under investigation.
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has emphasized the importance of ensuring due legal process and justice in holding perpetrators accountable for serious violence. It stated that the judicial process must be impartial and based on evidence, and that political affiliations or external influences must not obstruct justice.
The report calls on the interim government to ensure a swift and independent investigation into crimes committed against Awami League leaders and activists, police officers, and members of religious and indigenous communities. It stressed that identified perpetrators must be brought to justice. To break free from the cycle of impunity and retaliation, a coordinated effort must be made to establish accountability.
