New Videos Expose Deadly Police Brutality in Bangladesh Protests
Recent footage shows police in Bangladesh targeting unarmed protesters, raising alarms about ongoing brutality and human rights violations.
Bangladesh, Dhaka, Police Brutality, Protests, Human Rights, Sheikh Hasina
Dhaka: So, there’s been some shocking stuff coming out of Bangladesh lately. New videos show police shooting at unarmed protesters, and it’s pretty disturbing. Reports say at least 20 people were either killed or hurt during these protests last year.
The International Truth and Justice Project took a close look at the footage from two incidents on August 5. That was the day Sheikh Hasina, the former prime minister, fled the country. The videos show police targeting peaceful civilians, which is just awful.
It seems like this was part of a larger pattern of police violence as Hasina’s government tried to crush the protests. Over a thousand people lost their lives during those chaotic days, and it’s clear that the police were acting without any real threat to justify their actions.
Callum Macrae, the filmmaker who analyzed the videos, described them as “extraordinary” and “chilling.” He pointed out that the police had no legal reason to use lethal force against the protesters. It’s a real eye-opener about the need for an independent investigation into these events.
Yasmin Sooka, who leads the ITJP, expressed her shock at the police using live ammunition against unarmed protesters. She highlighted how horrific it is to see such brutality, especially when many civilians were just there to support the students.
Interestingly, Tulip Siddiq, a British politician, recently stepped down from her government role after a review. Sooka noted that Siddiq never distanced herself from her aunt, Hasina, or showed any remorse for the violence against protesters.
Hasina’s time in power was marked by accusations of corruption and human rights abuses. When protests erupted last year, her response was to unleash police violence, which led to many deaths and injuries. Amnesty International confirmed that police used lethal weapons against protesters, which is just unacceptable.
As protests grew, Hasina eventually fled the country on August 5, as people marched toward her residence. The videos from that day show police firing on crowds, and it’s heartbreaking to see the chaos unfold.
In one incident, police shot at a group of students outside a police station. Footage shows officers firing shotguns into the crowd, and it’s clear that many were injured. Another video shows a young man named Mohammed Riddoy being shot at point-blank range by police. His family hasn’t seen him since, and they’re desperate for answers.
The police have claimed they’re investigating the incidents, and some officers have already been arrested. But it’s hard to trust that justice will be served, especially given the history of violence and cover-ups.
These videos are part of a larger report that reveals the death toll from the protests might be much higher than previously thought. It’s a grim reminder of the ongoing struggle for justice in Bangladesh.
Since Hasina’s fall, there have been numerous cases against her and her officials for crimes against humanity and other serious charges. She’s currently in exile in India, denying all allegations. It’s a complicated situation, and many are hoping for accountability and change.