UN demands investigation into Bangladeshi repression

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, voiced grave concern over the violent attacks on civilians carried out by groups purportedly connected to the government of Bangladesh. These occurrences are among the biggest shake-ups in Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's 15-year rule, as they resulted in the deaths of at least 193 individuals, including several police personnel.

Protests against a public jobs quota plan, which opponents claim unjustly benefits allies of Hasina's ruling party, set off the violence. Thousands of military have been stationed throughout cities as a response, and the country's internet has been largely shut down. Conflicts have, however, decreased when protest organizers announced a brief stop to further protests.

Turk emphasized that more over 1,000 people were hurt during the operation, many of them were allegedly refused medical attention, and other individuals were still unaccounted for. The statement also mentioned the numerous injuries and at least two deaths of journalists that occurred throughout the disturbance.