UN Flags Unnecessary Force by Bangladeshi Security in Student Protests; Calls for Clarity on Disappearances

The United Nations has raised concerns over the use of “unnecessary” force by Bangladeshi paramilitary forces and police in response to student-led protests. This statement comes amidst accusations from student leaders regarding extrajudicial killings and abductions by authorities, a pattern of allegations that stretches back several years. Human rights groups and families of the disappeared demand clarity and action as they continue their search for missing loved ones, some of whom have been missing for over a decade. The situation highlights a broader issue of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial actions within the country, sparking calls for accountability and international investigation.

• The United Nations has indicated that Bangladeshi Security Forces likely used unnecessary force during recent student-led protests.
• Student leaders have accused the authorities of extrajudicial killings and abductions, with rights groups noting that such cases have been reported for many years.
• More than 600 people have been reported abducted since the former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina came to power in 2009, with dozens still missing.
• Bangladeshi security forces deny any involvement in these disappearances and killings, attributing the missing persons to other causes such as attempting to migrate to Europe.
• Bangladesh has not ratified the UN Convention on Enforced Disappearances, complicating efforts to address these issues on an international level.
• Human rights groups urge the new interim government to prioritize resolving the cases of the disappeared and to cooperate with the United Nations for investigations.
• An interview with Bangladeshi human rights activist Takia Huda reveals the deep impact of enforced disappearances on families, mentioning a secret detention facility and the changing tactics of disappearances over the years.
• The U.S. sanctions in December 2021 reportedly led to a decrease in enforced disappearances in 2022, indicating an international pressure impact.
• There is a call for the interim government to hold perpetrators accountable, investigate the disappearances, and consider disbanding the Rapid Action Battalion, a group implicated in these actions.
• The long history of enforced disappearances in Bangladesh and the lack of accountability highlight a systemic issue within the state’s governance and security apparatus.

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