Violence Continues Even After Sheikh Hasina’s Exit

Bangladesh has faced severe unrest and violations of human rights during the time after Sheikh Hasina had resigned from the prime minister’s position in August 2024 to this moment where the country is still trying to recuperate. Mid reports suggest that there are still functions of the police and the military that are committing acts of violence toward the people even after the formation of a provisional government.

Persisting Aggression Violence Supported By The State

Hasina’s resignation led to violence between security forces and the civillians who were protesting. It was reported that on the day Hasina resigned, at least 66 people died as her Prime minister’s house was attacked by the public who were made to stay under a military imposed curfew.

Reference 1 France24.com
Reference 2 TheGuardian.com

Hasina was also subject to voilence towards the end of her rule, where, from battered reports, it is estimated that around 1000 lives were lost just during demonstrations against the end of her rule where security forces were reported to fighte with live ammunition, tear gas, and rubber bullets.

In Cox’s Bazar, for example, there is a wide range of such particular cases which reveal gruesome violence within the state. Approximately 2 hundred locals agression towards the soldiers of an airforce base colluding with civilians resulted in one fatality and a number of injuries.

Despite the violent change in leadership, civillians and members of the army share a mutual distrust which makes the current situation untenable.

Human Rights Violations and International Scrutiny

Reference www.thedailystar.net

The period of July and August 2024 was especially bad. The months saw 11,348 reported incidents of human rights violations which included murders, injuries, torture and assault on minority groups.

Such violations have drawn severe backlash from international human rights bodies and the international community as a whole.

With the worsening of the crisis, the OHCHR sent an independent fact-finding mission after being invited by the Bangladesh interim government which was later compiled into a report that suggested systematic repression of protests through intense policing, physical violence, detentions, and enforced disappearances.

Challenges Facing The Interim Government

Combating the internal security concerns of the nation was a colossal challenge even for the interim government which was presided over by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus. While the nation has made efforts to ease the tension, it is estimated that in the ongoing s쳮nd s쳮n, more than 8000 individuals have been arrested, which is largely perceived as being aimed towards the former ruling party of the Awami League.

The continuous use of violent methods by law enforcement deeply questions the capacity of the interim government to conduct proper reforms. These practices are more along the lines of entrenched systems so more comprehensive policies and accountability are needed.

Path Forward: How Change is Sought For and Justice is Served

The quest for justice for victims of violence carried out by the state is not easy. The new government has said that they plan to conduct elections towards the end of 2025 and, student leaders who played an important role in the protests against Hasina’s rule are ready to start a new political party.

There are, however, political progresses which need to be made which depend on how the problem of impunity of the security forces of the Bangladesh is dealt with. Credible independent oversight, thorough investigations into allegations of abuse, and punishment of offenders would go a long way in restoring public confidence and protecting human rights.

In summary, while rest of the Hasina government captured the office and power, replacing violence with repressive law enforcement agency needed to be highly rated step, there also exists astonishing void in justice and even more democratic reform.