Hasina played direct role in human rights violations: UN rights chief

NN Online:

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has said the United Nations Fact-Finding Mission has uncovered evidence linking former prime minister Sheikh Hasina to multiple human rights violations, according to a newly released report.

He made this disclosure during the publication of the Fact-Finding Mission’s report in Geneva, Switzerland on Wednesday afternoon.

In response to a journalist’s question regarding Sheikh Hasina’s involvement in human rights violations, he said, “It is clear from the report that my office has found that the highest levels of the former government were aware of these violations and were, in fact, directly involved in various human rights abuses, such as enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests, and the violent suppression of protests.

“Political leaders were fully aware of the human rights violations, which took place under their coordination and directives. According to the report, senior officials and political figures deliberately carried out these violations to suppress protests. Investigators found sufficient evidence to suggest that crimes against humanity were committed against protesters and their supporters.”

The Fact-Finding Mission began its investigation into human rights violations in Bangladesh from July 1 to August 15 of the previous year.

On September 16, following Bangladesh’s request, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights’ office launched the investigation, and five months later, the report was published from Geneva.

At the report launch event in Geneva on Wednesday, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk delivered the opening remarks, accompanied by Rory Mungoven, head of the Asia-Pacific Division at the High Commissioner’s office, and Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the High Commissioner’s office.

During the event, Volker Türk further said, “This is a significant effort. Last year, Interim Government Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus requested me to send a neutral and independent investigation team to look into the human rights violations from July 1 to August 15.”

He mentioned that there were reasonable grounds to believe that former government officials, security and intelligence agencies, along with violent activists of the Awami League, systematically committed serious human rights violations.

These included hundreds of extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrests, and acts of torture, with children among the victims. Cases of sexual violence also occurred during this period, he added.

When asked about the scale of these serious crimes, he said, “We have learned that 1,400 people have died, and the actual number could be even higher. Of these, 78 per cent were killed by gunfire. They were shot with military rifles and shotguns loaded with pellets. In our report, we have requested a ban on the use of pellet shotguns.”

Regarding legal actions against Sheikh Hasina, who is currently in India, the UN official said, “Universal jurisdiction could apply if a perpetrator is outside their home country. However, prosecution depends on the host country’s willingness to address serious human rights crimes. Additionally, Bangladesh has the option to request an International Criminal Court investigation into the matter.”

Efforts to ensure accountability have already begun and multiple cases have been filed, including some in Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal.

However, he also said there are significant gaps in Bangladesh’s legal framework, and bringing it up to international standards poses a major challenge.