The United Nations Human Rights Council has made a big disclosure by presenting a report on the violence in Bangladesh. The report shows that at least 650 people have lost their lives in the violence perpetrated by protesters amid the anti-reservation movement in Bangladesh. This figure may increase further because the Bangladesh government did not allow investigation in many places.
The report published on the official website of UNHCR states that more than 600 people were killed in Bangladesh between July 16 and August 11. Out of this, about 400 people died between July 16 and August 4, while about 250 people died after a new wave of protests between August 5 and August 6.
The report states that incidents of looting, vandalism and arson also took place against religious minorities. Along with this, Awami League workers and leaders were also killed out of vengeance.
Let us tell you that hundreds of people have died in the three-week long unrest during the reservation reform movement. Later this movement turned into a major student-citizen uprising to overthrow the government in early August. The United Nations has offered the ousted Awami League government an independent investigation into the violence that erupted during the quota reform protests. Despite seeking help from the United Nations in this matter, the government did not allow the international organization to conduct an independent investigation.
The report also fears that the death toll may be even higher as they faced difficulty in collecting information due to curfew in many areas. Hospitals are also being prevented from giving information by the government.
It is worth mentioning that on August 5, the Bangladesh government was overthrown amid the violence of the protesters. After this, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed had to leave Bangladesh. However, an interim government has been formed in Bangladesh. The chief advisor of the interim government is Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. With the change of power in Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina’s difficulties have increased. A case has also been registered against him in the International Criminal Tribunal (ICT).
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