Fact-Finding Report: Human Rights Violations in Bangladesh - July-August 2024

Overview

A United Nations Human Rights Office (OHCHR) fact-finding report details human rights violations during protests in Bangladesh in July and August 2024. The report, issued on February 12, 2025, documents abuses occurring between July 1 and August 15, 2024, stemming from protests initially triggered by a High Court decision regarding job quotas.

Executive Summary

At the invitation of the Interim Government of Bangladesh, OHCHR investigated alleged human rights violations between July 1 and August 15, 2024. The investigation found reasonable grounds to believe that the former Government and its affiliates systematically engaged in serious human rights violations which included:

Extrajudicial killings (hundreds)
Use of force resulting in serious injuries (thousands of protesters)
Arbitrary arrest and detention
Torture and ill-treatment

These violations were coordinated by political leadership and senior security officials as a strategy to suppress dissent. The violations may constitute crimes against humanity and torture under international criminal law.

The immediate cause of the protests was the High Court's decision on June 5, 2024, to reinstate a 30% quota for descendants of independence war fighters in public service jobs. The decision exposed deeper grievances related to:

Corrupt politics and governance
Economic inequalities
Lack of access to economic, social, and cultural rights

Protests drew diverse participants calling for reform. The government responded with increasing violence, mobilizing armed actors from mid-July onward. The Awami League incited Chhatra League supporters to attack peaceful student protesters, leading to more government intervention and violence orchestrated by the Bangladesh Police in collaboration with armed Awami League supporters.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Jamaat-e-Islami supported the student movement. The government escalated violence against protesters, leading to:

Violations of the rights to life
Peaceful assembly
Liberty and security of person

RAB and Police helicopters were used for intimidation, while ground forces (Police, RAB, and BGB) deployed lethal weapons against protesters. Some protesters retaliated with bricks and sticks.

Some protesters engaged in violence targeting government buildings, transport infrastructure, and the police. The government authorized security forces to use lethal force against protesters, resulting in extrajudicial killings and injuries, including journalists. Security forces also engaged in summary executions, deliberately shooting unarmed protesters at point blank range.

The government imposed a general curfew and deployed the Army. Soldiers also shot at protesters, resulting in at least one extrajudicial killing. Junior officers increasingly resisted orders to use firearms against civilian protestors. The Army played a protective role for law enforcement. In late July, the Army and BGB participated in raids and mass arrests. Intelligence services (DGFI, NSI, NTMC) were involved in perpetrating human rights violations to suppress protests. They shared intelligence and enabled mass arbitrary arrests. The Detective Branch used arbitrary detention and torture. The CTTC headquarters served as a detention site, including for children. Intelligence services obstructed medical care and intimidated medical personnel.

The intelligence services concealed serious violations. NTMC implemented internet shutdowns. DGFI, NSI, and RAB pressured media outlets and intimidated victims and families. The integrated effort was coordinated with the political leadership. The Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister received reports and issued directives. In early August 2024, crowds engaged in retaliatory killings targeting Awami League officials and supporters and the police and media seen as supportive of the Awami League. Members of the Hindu community, Ahmadiyya Muslims, and indigenous groups were also subject to violent attacks. The former Government did not engage in genuine accountability efforts.

The current Interim Government has commenced efforts to ensure accountability and has brought cases against senior officials. These efforts have been hampered by deficiencies in the law enforcement and justice sectors. The Interim Government has reported 100 arrests related to attacks on religious and indigenous groups; however, impunity persists. As many as 1,400 people could have been killed during the protests, while thousands more suffered injuries. More than 11,700 people were arrested and detained. Around 12-13 percent of those killed were children. Police and security forces also subjected children to killings, maiming, arbitrary arrest, and torture. Women and girls were attacked and subjected to sexual and gender-based violence. Violations were enabled by outdated laws, corrupted governance, and erosion of the rule of law.

OHCHR recommends: Security and justice sector reforms, repeal of repressive laws, amendments to laws to align with international human rights standards, institutional and governance sector reforms, changes to political processes and economic governance, fair and independent justice and accountability, and redress for victims. OHCHR recommends an inclusive national dialogue to develop a transitional justice process. OHCHR recommends further independent and impartial investigations. OHCHR stands ready to provide support.

Methodology

OHCHR's findings are based on over 230 in-depth interviews in Bangladesh and online with victims, witnesses, and officials. Findings were corroborated with:

Authenticated videos and photos
Medical forensic and weapons analysis
Other information

OHCHR findings are based on "reasonable grounds to believe," a standard lower than that required in criminal proceedings. More than 230 confidential in-depth interviews were conducted with victims, witnesses, and experts. A forensic physician conferred with doctors in 11 medical facilities, examined 29 victims, and reviewed 153 medical case files. A weapons expert corroborated information through analysis of videos, photos, and ammunition remnants. Thousands of original videos and photos were reviewed, and authenticated in accordance with OHCHR methodology. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs facilitated interviews with the Inspector-General of Police and the Directors-General of security forces. 32 additional interviews were conducted with former and currently serving senior and mid-level officials. Several former senior officials were interviewed during a visit to Keraniganj Central Prison. OHCHR sought interviews with and information from Awami League, Bangladesh Nationalist Party, and Bangladesh Jatiya Party. Written information was provided by the Interim Government. 959 communications were received from the public. Each source's credibility was assessed and the validity, internal consistency, and relevance of the information was verified.

Contextual Overview: An Escalation of Repression

The protests were triggered by the High Court's decision to reinstate job quotas, but rooted in deeper issues.

Underlying Causes:

Binary politics, corruption, and economic inequalities marred by irregularities, violence, and intimidation
Concentration of economic power and wealth
Large-scale corruption
High unemployment among youth
Food and energy price inflation

Government Response:

Intimidation and delegitimization of student movement
Mobilization of Chhatra League to attack protesters
Use of Police and paramilitary forces
Complete shutdown campaign and violent unrest
Mass arrest campaign
Renewed mass protests leading to the Prime Minister's departure