UN demands swift probe and protection of electoral freedoms as Bangladesh plunges into unrest

The United Nations has called for an immediate, transparent investigation into the killing of opposition leader Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, urging Bangladeshi authorities to protect electoral freedoms and uphold peace as the nation braces for its pivotal February elections.

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk expressed deep distress over the escalating violence that has engulfed the country, including deadly protests, arson attacks on major media outlets, and reported assaults on journalists following Hadi’s lynching. He warned that continued violence and retaliation risk deepening divisions in a fragile political climate.

Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, a vocal critic of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government and its close ties with India, was brutally killed, sparking widespread unrest. In the aftermath, the residence of India’s Assistant High Commissioner in Chattogram was attacked, and fires broke out at the offices of leading newspapers Prothom Alo and Daily Star, as well as the home of former minister Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel.

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus condemned the violent mobs and called on citizens to reject hatred and incitement during this delicate phase of Bangladesh’s democratic transition. The government pledged justice for attacks on journalists and condemned the lynching of a Hindu man in Mymensingh, declaring that such brutality has no place in the vision of a “new Bangladesh.”

Thousands gathered in Dhaka for Hadi’s funeral prayers at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, under the watchful eyes of over 1,000 police officers equipped with body cameras. Mourners raised slogans affirming that “Hadi Bhai’s blood will not go in vain,” underscoring the charged atmosphere.

Tragedy compounded as a BNP leader’s home in Lakshmipur Sadar was set ablaze, killing his seven-year-old daughter and injuring others, intensifying fears of escalating violence amid political unrest.

The interim government has urged Meta to remove content inciting violence and undermining the election process from Facebook and Instagram, demanding stringent monitoring of Bangladesh-related posts until the polls conclude.

Author Taslima Nasreen highlighted the lynching of a Hindu man under police protection, illustrating the dangerous communal tensions inflaming the nation.

With the February elections looming, the UN stands ready to support Bangladesh in safeguarding freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and the safety of journalists to prevent further unrest. As the nation confronts this volatile moment, the call for justice and restraint grows ever more urgent.