July uprising: Coordinated extrajudicial killings, torture carried out under direction of political leaders, security officers, says UN rights chief
The brutal response was a calculated and well-coordinated strategy by the former government to hold onto power in the face of mass opposition, he said
There are reasonable grounds to believe "hundreds of extrajudicial killings, extensive arbitrary arrests and detentions, and torture", were carried out with the "knowledge, coordination and direction" of the political leadership and senior security officials as part of a strategy to suppress the July protests in Bangaldesh, said UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk.
"The brutal response was a calculated and well-coordinated strategy by the former government to hold onto power in the face of mass opposition," the UN high commissioner for human rights said in a statement today (12 February).
"The testimonies and evidence we gathered paint a disturbing picture of rampant State violence and targeted killings, that are amongst the most serious violations of human rights, and which may also constitute international crimes. Accountability and justice are essential for national healing and for the future of Bangladesh," he added.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
"The best way forward for Bangladesh is to face the horrific wrongs committed during this period, through a comprehensive process of truth-telling, healing and accountability, and to redress the legacy of serious human rights violations and ensure they can never happen again," the high commissioner said. "My Office stands ready to assist in this vital national accountability and reform process."
