The United Nations has accused Bangladesh’s former government of committing crimes against humanity during its final months in power, alleging that security forces carried out systematic attacks and killings of protesters.

A report released by the UN Human Rights Office on Wednesday stated that the previous administration, led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, was responsible for widespread abuses as it sought to suppress opposition and retain control before being overthrown in a student-led revolution last August.

According to the UN, the government’s crackdown resulted in “hundreds of extrajudicial killings” and other grave violations, with the involvement of security forces, intelligence agencies, and members of Hasina’s Awami League party.

“There are reasonable grounds to believe that the crimes against humanity of murder, torture, imprisonment, and other inhumane acts have taken place,” the report stated. It described the violence as part of a “widespread and systematic attack against protesters and other civilians.”

Mass Killings and Exile

The UN estimates that up to 1,400 people were killed during the unrest. The scale of the violence prompted the country’s interim leader, Mohammed Yunus, to request an independent fact-finding mission. The investigation included human rights experts, forensic specialists, and weapons analysts who conducted on-the-ground assessments.

Hasina, 77, fled to neighboring India following her removal from office. She has since refused to comply with an arrest warrant issued in Bangladesh, where she faces charges related to crimes against humanity.

The UN’s findings are expected to increase international pressure on Hasina and her former government, with potential implications for diplomatic relations and future legal proceedings.