A mob in Bangladesh has demolished the Dhaka family home of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, along with properties owned by some of her relatives. Leaders of Hasina’s Awami League party were also targeted by the mob.
The attack, referred to as a “bulldozer procession,” was announced and shared on social media. Despite prior knowledge of the event, authorities were unable to prevent the destruction of the properties.
In August 2024, Hasina resigned after 15 years of controversial rule, which included allegations of repression, torture, extrajudicial killings, and enforced disappearances. The “Monsoon Revolution,” led by student protests, forced Hasina into exile in India. Her Awami League government had remained in power through multiple unfair elections, using excessive force to suppress the protests, which led to over 800 deaths.
The vandalism occurred just as Hasina was preparing to address her supporters online.
Meanwhile, the interim government of Bangladesh, led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, has begun a series of reforms aimed at rebuilding institutions, including the justice system. The Yunus administration is also taking steps toward accountability for rights violations and corruption, and has promised to hold credible elections.
Despite these efforts, the Yunus government faces increasing pressure from discontented citizens, including political groups, students, and the families of those harmed during the Monsoon Revolution. The government is also facing a campaign of misinformation regarding alleged abuses against religious and ethnic minorities. Particularly, Hindus remain fearful of potential attacks. Additionally, the military has been obstructing access to sites of unlawful detentions and appears to be destroying evidence, possibly to protect its image.
The Yunus administration should propose a consensus resolution at the upcoming United Nations Human Rights Council session in March. The resolution should request technical assistance, further investigations, and monitoring by UN-backed human rights experts. It should also acknowledge the tyranny of the previous administration and recognize the positive human rights steps taken by the interim government.
Bangladeshis, eager to see justice done, should support a UN-backed mechanism to help secure a democratic future, rather than succumbing to a cycle of violence and revenge.
-ANI
