In his answer to the verdict, the UN human rights office (OHCHR) reiterated his opposition to the death penalty in all circumstances.
Last July, student protests that began against a quota system for public sector jobs in Bangladesh quickly escalated into widespread demonstrations, violently suppressed by national security forces.
After the former prime minister resigned, she fled the country for India. A UN investigation on alleged crimes, it was established that 1,400 people – including many children – may have been killed while thousands more were injured in July and August last year.
A ‘moment for the victims‘
OHCHR described the verdict as follows: “an important moment for victims of serious violations committed during the repression of protests last year.”
Since publishing its report in February 2025, OHCHR has called for perpetrators – including those in positions of command and leadership – to be held accountable in accordance with international standards and for victims to have access to effective remedies and reparations.
The report reveals that the former Bangladeshi administration attempted to systematically suppress protests through increasingly violent means in order to stay in power.
“The testimonies and evidence we have collected paint a disturbing picture of widespread state violence and targeted killings, which are among the most serious violations of human rights and which may also constitute international crimes”, UN human rights chief Volker Türk said in February.
“Accountability and justice are essential to national healing and the future of Bangladesh. »
End the death penalty
OHCHR has always called for procedures that “unquestionably” meet international standards of due process and fair trial, the agency said in its response.
As part of its work, the office advocates for the universal abolition of the death penalty and, over the years, multiple UN resolutions were adopted to protect the rights of those facing the death penalty.
The trial against Ms. Hasina and Mr. Khan took place in absentia and resulted in a death sentence, making international standards “particularly vital,” the office continued.
Mr. Türk hopes that Bangladesh will now moving forward in a global process of “truth-revelation, reparation and justice as a path to national reconciliation and healing”.
He called for calm “and for everyone to show restraint in the face of these developments.”
Originally published at Almouwatin.com
