Dhaka, Dec. 12 -- The beginning of scientific exhumations and forensic analysis of 114 unidentified bodies of people killed during the July 2024 protests in Bangladesh is a fundamental step towards helping families of the missing fulfil their rights to truth, justice and accountability, a UN expert said on Friday.

"This is the first large-scale forensic recovery, analysis and identification operation carried out in Bangladesh on the basis of international human rights and forensic standards," said Morris Tidball-Binz, UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, in a statement issued from Geneva.

The forensic examination of the bodies is being conducted on site in a temporary mortuary installed by the Crimina...