Bangladesh - July 2024

In July, student-led protests erupted in response to government efforts to reinstate quotas in civil service jobs for relatives of veterans from the country’s independence war. The students argued that this system was discriminatory and called for merit-based recruitment. On 21 July, the Supreme Court ruled that only five per cent of public sector jobs could be reserved, significantly reducing the initial 30 per cent quota. In response to the protests, Bangladeshi authorities initiated a nationwide internet shutdown that lasted 11 days and enforced a curfew with an order that permitted officers to use firearms against mobs in extreme cases. According to United Nations officials, nearly 650 people have been killed, with thousands reportedly detained. The escalating violence prompted protesters to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and several other ruling party ministers. United Nations experts condemned the excessive force used against protesters, labelling it as “unlawful killings,” and called for an independent investigation into the government’s actions.

Update: On 12 February 2025, the United Nations released a report estimating that up to 1,400 people were killed between 15 July and 5 August with thousands more injured and detained. The probe revealed that officials of the former government, security and intelligence services “systematically engaged” in rights violations that could amount to crimes against humanity, which require further investigation.

Sources: Human Rights Watch, OHCHR (1), Access Now, The Daily Star (1), The Daily Star (2), BBC News, Al Jazeera, OHCHR (2), United Nations