A UN inquiry has found that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s violent response to a student-led revolt killed as many as 1,400 people in Bangladesh, with extrajudicial killings and torture being major components of the crackdown. The report states that Ms. Hasina was “aware and involved” in the commission of serious violations, including torture and sexual violence against women.
The UN human rights chief, Volker Türk, described the abuses as “rampant state violence and targeted killings” that may constitute international crimes. The report found that 12% of those killed were children, and thousands suffered life-changing injuries from high-caliber rifles fired at close range.
Ms. Hasina fled to India after the student protesters descended on her home and continues to intervene in Bangladesh’s politics from there. Despite an Indian government request for her extradition on charges of genocide and crimes against humanity, she remains under protection.
The interim government has applied for Ms. Hasina’s extradition, but the Indian government has shown no sign of complying with the request. The UN is calling for an investigation into the violations, citing challenges in Bangladesh’s legal system and the need for universal jurisdiction or International Criminal Court action.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/12/world/asia/bangladesh-hasina-un-report.html