Around 650 dead in student protests: UN

More than 650 people have died in Bangladesh from 15 July to 11 August, an analysis by the United Nations Human Rights Office (OHCHR) said on Friday. 

"Triggered by the reinstatement of a quota system for allocation of civil service positions, initially peaceful student protests in Bangladesh that started in mid-June 2024 were followed by violence and serious human rights violations committed by security forces," says the report titled "Preliminary Analysis of Recent Protests and Unrest in Bangladesh."

Hundreds of people are believed to have been killed, including at least 32 children, and thousands injured, a summary of the report reads. 

According to available public reports by media and the protest movement itself, between 16 July and 11 August, more than 600 people were killed. Of these, nearly 400 deaths were reported from 16 July to 4 August, while around 250 people were reportedly killed following the new wave of protests between 5 and 6 August, the analysis claims. 

Those killed include protesters, bystanders, journalists covering the events and a number of members of the security forces.

The report makes a number of recommendations for the Interim Government to ensure accountability for those responsible for human rights violations, in line with Bangladesh’s international human rights obligations, and the right of victims to effective remedies. It also makes recommendations to the international community.