DHAKA: A staggering 11,348 people fell victims to human rights violations - including murders, injuries, torture, and attacks on minority communities - in July and August 2024, according to a study by Manabadhikar Shongskriti Foundation.
The study, supported by the National Endowment for Democracy, was unveiled yesterday at the Jatiya Press Club.
The report is based on key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and conversations with 12,434 people reached through household surveys.
Between July 1 and August 5, 2024, physical injuries accounted for 75 per cent of documented cases, threats nine per cent, killings eight per cent, and torture seven per cent.
In the later half of August, after Sheikh Hasina fled, attacks on properties surged, with 38 per cent involving arson, 34 per cent vandalism and looting, 26 per cent attacks on properties of minority communities, and two per cent attacks on temples and shrines.
Of the 881 individuals killed, 763 were shot dead, 69 burned alive, 45 beaten to death, one was stabbed to death, and another was hit with a brick, finds the study.
Of the victims, 340 were aged between 20 and 30, at least 223 between 10 and 20, and six aged below 10.
Of those killed, 568 were students, 164 workers, 85 roadside vendors, 23 private employees, and 9 teachers and others.
Of the dead students, 265 were in colleges, 136 in schools, 106 in madrasas, and 61 in universities.
Fifty-eight per cent of the injured had to bear their treatment costs at private hospitals, 32 per cent were treated at government hospitals, and only ten per cent were treated for free at private facilities.
Most victims refrained from seeking legal recourse.
Family members of only 300 of the deceased victims had filed cases. Many of those who had not filed cases said they were afraid or they were threatened not to do it.
From August 6 to 31, attacks on properties skyrocketed. Arson accounted for 333 cases, vandalism and looting 300 cases, attacks on minority properties 223 cases, and attacks on temples and shrines 20 cases.
The study found that 65 per cent or 573 of alleged perpetrators were police personnel, 16 per cent Bangladesh Chhatra League activists, nine per cent Awami League activists, two per cent Jubo League activists, and three per cent Border Guard Bangladesh personnel.
At least 44 policemen were killed in different places.
At least 353 women were injured, six killed, 68 tortured, and 113 threatened.
Nurunnabi Shanto, project coordinator of Manobadhikar Shongskriti Foundation, presented the findings at yesterday's event.
The study urges the government to provide legal aid, economic rehabilitation and urgent medical and psychological support for victims. It also recommends that the government take steps so that human rights abuses do not take place in the future.
It also urges comprehensive reforms to ensure accountability of police, constitutional amendments, an end to arbitrary arrests, and protections for democratic freedoms.
Saidur Rahman, chief executive of Manobadhikar Shongskriti Foundation, said a culture of fear persisted.
Human rights lawyer Salma Ali said there must be reforms in the police to make the force friendly towards women and children. - The Daily Star/ANN
