Disturbing Videos Uncover Brutality by Bangladeshi Police During Protests

Recent video footage has revealed that Bangladeshi police killed or injured at least 20 unarmed protesters during the nationwide demonstrations on August 5, 2024, the day former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled the country. The International Truth and Justice Project (ITJP) conducted an analysis of the footage, documenting two previously unreported incidents in Dhaka where officers appeared to intentionally target peaceful civilians.

Callum Macrae, the filmmaker behind the analysis, described the content of the videos as "extraordinary, chilling," and "grotesque," emphasizing that the police were under no immediate threat and had no legal justification for using lethal force against the protesters. Yasmin Sooka, executive director of the ITJP, expressed shock over the actions of the police, who fired live ammunition at unarmed demonstrators, resulting in significant casualties.

The police's violent response to the protests, which began in July against Hasina's authoritarian regime, has been linked to over 1,000 civilian deaths as well as hundreds of injuries with police using methods ranging from batons to live ammunition. As protests intensified, Hasina fled in a helicopter on August 5, amidst escalating unrest, as the military refused to engage with peaceful demonstrators.

Detailed analysis of the video evidence indicated that, during one incident, police opened fire on students near a police station, while another video subsequently showed an officer shooting a captured protester, identified as Mohammed Riddoy, at close range. Riddoy's family has since sought answers about his whereabouts.

Bangladesh's Inspector General of Police, Baharul Alam, reported that they are conducting investigations into the police's actions during the protests, with at least 30 officers arrested so far. Despite these assurances, human rights advocates continue to call for an independent judicial process to address the violence and ensure accountability.

As investigations continue, the implications of these incidents have led to a resurgence of calls for justice in Bangladesh, while Sheikh Hasina and her regime face numerous cases related to crimes against humanity and corruption.