DHAKA: The UN Human Rights Office has released a preliminary report indicating that more than 600 people were killed during the recent surge of violence in Bangladesh.
According to the report, approximately 400 deaths occurred between July 16 and August 4, while around 250 fatalities were reported during the latest wave of protests from August 5 to August 6. The report does not detail the number of casualties resulting from retaliatory attacks following Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resignation and fleeing to India on August 5.
The UN has highlighted “serious and credible allegations” of excessive and disproportionate force used by security forces in response to both peaceful and violent protests. The report notes that police and paramilitary units have been accused of indiscriminately using force against demonstrators.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police Chief Mainul Hassan did not respond to inquiries outside of regular business hours.
A UN delegation is scheduled to visit Dhaka next week to discuss the framework for investigating the reported human rights violations, according to UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk.
In the wake of Hasina’s departure, an interim government led by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus has assumed control of the country.
