India’s neighbor, Bangladesh, has been in the headlines for some time now. After Sheikh Hasina fled and an interim government was formed, it has been under the watch of international organizations as well. Now, Human Rights Watch (HRW), an international human rights body, has called on the interim government of Bangladesh. It has asked the government to ensure that security forces act impartially and uphold the rule of law in addressing political violence.
What Did HRW Say?
HRW cited a United Nations report on Wednesday and highlighted severe human rights violations by law enforcement agencies, including extrajudicial killings, torture, and mass arrests, during the unrest that followed the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government in August 2024.
In a statement, HRW said, “A United Nations report has found that law enforcement agencies, including the police, border guards, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and intelligence agencies, had engaged in serious human rights violations to contain the protests that in August 2024 led to the ouster of the former repressive government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.”
It added, “An interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has pledged security sector reform. However, it has deployed security forces, including the military, for “Operation Devil Hunt,” arresting nearly 2,000 people, mostly supporters of Hasina’s deposed Awami League government.”
The HRW further said that the UN report found that the violations included extrajudicial killings, indiscriminate firing, and mass arrests and torture, and it estimated that up to 1,400 people were killed between July 1 and August 15, the vast majority shot by Bangladesh’s security forces. The report described “a disturbing picture” in which “accountability and justice are essential for national healing.”
The recent violence began as Sheikh Hasina announced that she would address her supporters online on February 7, while in exile in India. This announcement led to a furious protest by students and others that had forced her to step down, including by attacking properties belonging to her family or party leaders. They also demolished the home of her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who led the independence war against Pakistan. The home had been turned into a memorial museum.
The interim government has criticised Hasina for inciting violence and has asked India to extradite her to face trial. Yunus has also called for calm, saying: “Respecting the rule of law is what differentiates the new Bangladesh we are working together to build from the old Bangladesh under the fascist regime.”
The Yunus government has an important task of ensuring order. It should consider bringing a consensus resolution at the upcoming UN Human Rights Council session in March to request technical assistance, further investigations, and monitoring and reporting by UN-backed human rights experts. The resolution should also acknowledge the tyranny of the previous administration and recognize positive human rights steps taken by the interim government.
