Dhaka, Feb. 19 -- The ousted Hasina government began deploying militarized forces well before the July-August 2024 protests turned violent, according to a fact-finding report by the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) on human rights violations in Bangladesh.
The report reveals that, "Well before the protests gained momentum and the related unrest turned violent, the government had mobilised heavily armed paramilitary forces, including RAB, BGB, and Ansar/VDP Battalions, seemingly with the intent of militarizing its response and escalating the use of lethal force."
The OHCHR's findings suggest that the serious human rights violations committed by security forces and armed Awami League supporters between July 15 and August 5 were part of a deli...