Bangladesh: UN says Sheikh Hasina’s crackdown may be crime against humanity

Up to 1, 400 people were killed in last year’s anti-government demonstrations in Bangladesh, most of them by surveillance forces, the United Nations quotes.

UN human rights investigators accuse the deposed government of Sheikh Hasina of a brutal response that they warn could amount to “crimes against humanity”.

In response to widespread opposition, they discovered” an official plan to attack and fiercely control anti-government protesters and sympathisers.”

Sheikh Hasina, who had been in business for 15 times, fled by aircraft to India shortly before audiences stormed her home.

In the worst crime Bangladesh has experienced since its declaration of independence in 1971, thousands more were hurt.

Following a terrible police assault, student-led protests against restrictions in legal support positions grew into a national action to overthrow Ms. Hasina and her Awami League Party.

The UN’s researchers documented arbitrary arrests and torture, as well as the intentional killing of some protesters at close range.

Children also were targeted – the report estimates up to 13 % of the 1, 400 people killed were kids.

The statement was requested by Bangladesh’s caretaker president, Muhammad Yunus.

While it attributes the majority of the crime to federal security forces, it also raises concerns about problems on those who are perceived to support the previous authorities and against some religious and racial groups.

These must be investigated also, the UN says.