Khwaja Masum Bellah Kausarey: In July 2024, a spark ignited on the streets of Bangladesh that became a collective resistance against oppression—an eruption of a united humanitarian consciousness. After enduring years of dysfunctional democracy, human rights violations, enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and the abuse of state power, the nation took to the streets demanding the right to exist with dignity. Exactly a year later, on July 29, 2025, a historic human rights investigation report by the United Nations laid the foundation for international support in favor of that uprising. This report, along with a speech delivered by interim government chief advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus, marked a turning point in Bangladesh’s human rights history. A Brutal July in the 21st Century-In July 2024, millions of people marched in major cities of Bangladesh. Led primarily by the youth, the uprising was against state repression and for a governance system rooted in democracy. It was fueled by long-standing grievances—impunity, fraudulent elections, and the politicization of state institutions. Human rights organizations like Odhikar, Lighthouse (National Human Rights Organisation), Human Rights Watch (HRW), and Amnesty International had already begun documenting the widespread abuse during this period. But the most significant move was a full investigation conducted by the United Nations Human Rights Commission (OHCHR), which culminated in an international report a year later. This became a foundational document for justice and the vision of a humane state in Bangladesh. The UN Investigation Report: A Neutral Document-Published in February 2025, the OHCHR report detailed the widespread human rights violations from July 1 to August 15, 2024. The report states: Around 1,400 people were killed during this period, most of whom were peaceful protestors. Thousands were abducted and detained, many without warrants or due process. The violence was described as “centrally coordinated, policy-driven, and systematically executed.” In the context of international human rights law, these acts amounted to “crimes against humanity.” A segment from the OHCHR Report on Bangladesh, 2025, reads: “The evidence strongly suggests a premeditated use of state apparatus to suppress dissent, intimidate civilians, and eliminate opposition through lethal force and unlawful detention.” The report strongly emphasized that unless these crimes are brought to justice, the cycle of political violence and repression in Bangladesh will never end. International Response and Media’s Role in Exposing the Truth-Following the publication of the report, major global news outlets—BBC, Al Jazeera, The Guardian, The New York Times, The Economist—released investigative reports. These revealed selective killings of youth by joint military-police operations, torture for social media posts critical of the government, and medical staff being obstructed from treating injured protestors in hospitals. UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated: "The suppression of fundamental freedoms in Bangladesh cannot be ignored. Justice must prevail for those who suffered and died defending their democratic rights." Progress under the Interim Government and Human Rights Reforms

At the UN’s request, a national interim government was formed in August 2024, led by Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus as Chief Advisor. Upon assuming office, he initiated key reforms to restructure the state’s human rights framework:1.Bangladesh signed the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance.

2.Enacted the Human Rights Commission Act 2025, granting independent investigative powers.

3.Established the Truth and Accountability Commission, modeled after the War Crimes Tribunal, to investigate the 2024 crackdown.

4.Signed an MOU with OHCHR, allowing the UN to directly monitor future developments.

5.Approved an independent international mission to monitor extrajudicial killings.

Professor Yunus said:

"We will not pursue justice for revenge, but to ensure no one ever dares commit these crimes again. Our duty is to rebuild the state in the service of the people." Not Revenge, But Rebuilding Democratic Security-The core of this reform and justice process is to construct a sustainable democratic framework. Beyond punishing perpetrators, the steps include: Full independence of the Election Commission, Depoliticized recruitment in civil service and police, Ensuring freedom of expression for civil society and media,Reformation of the Cyber Security and Digital Security Acts, Through these measures, an inclusive democracy is being built, where, opposition and civil society can actively participate in governance, Honoring the Martyrs and the Dream of a Future Nation.

The most moving part of the Chief Advisor`s speech was dedicated to the martyrs of the July uprising: "They died not for a party or a slogan, but for the right to live in dignity, to vote freely, and to speak without fear." These words are not just ceremonial; they reflect a nation’s moral self-identity and the promise of a “New Bangladesh” where: Rule of law prevails, Human dignity is protected, State power serves the people, not terrorizes them.

 

The UN’s Role: Not Sympathy, But Solidarity

The United Nations did not merely criticize—it actively engaged. Through its human rights missions, fact-finding teams, and advisors, the UN set a new precedent in Bangladesh. Figures like Gwyn Lewis, Volker Türk, and Huma Khan presented Bangladesh’s situation powerfully in international forums. One of the central tenets of the global human rights movement is: "Justice delayed is justice denied, but justice denied publicly becomes a warning for all."

The UN ensured that justice in Bangladesh would no longer remain hidden.

A Story of Moral Awakening

The July uprising and the UN human rights report are not just moments of protest—they represent a moral awakening in Bangladesh’s political history. They reminded the state of its responsibilities, empowered the people, and showed the world that even a developing country can stand up to international standards of human rights.

Looking back over the past year—a dictatorship has fallen, a protest gained global recognition, and a nation has begun rebuilding its moral foundation. The journey is not over, but it has begun. In this expedition to build a new Bangladesh—where democracy, human rights, and accountability intersect—our commitment remains:

"A state of the people, by the people, and for the people."