London, July 17 – The International Crimes Research Foundation (ICRF) has sought an international probe into the use of lethal force against political opponents in Gopalgunj, Bangladesh. In an letter to the Head of the UN Ethical Office, New York, the ICRF said: “ We write to you today with utmost urgency and distress on behalf of concerned citizens of Bangladesh, to draw your attention to a grave and unfolding human rights crisis involving political violence, destruction of national heritage, and extrajudicial actions allegedly committed with the complicity or direct involvement of the Bangladesh Army.”
“On 16 July 2025, a political group known as the Nationalist Citizens Party (NCP), which is neither registered with the Election Commission nor holds any legal status as Electoral Political Party, marched into Gopalganj with thousands of its followers. Their reported objective was to desecrate and demolish the graveyard of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman- a sacred and symbolic national site that holds profound emotional, historical, and political significance for our people.”
“In response to this provocative and unconstitutional action, the peaceful citizens of Gopalganj rightfully gathered to resist the attempted desecration. Instead of protecting the people, the Bangladesh Army deployed forces in support of the NCP and used lethal weapons to open fire on unarmed civilians, resulting in the death of at least 21 innocent lives. In one particularly horrifying incident, a civilian was arrested, tortured with boots, and killed in custody- a blatant violation of international human rights law and humanitarian norms.”
“It must be emphasized that this violent action was not undertaken during a period of political instability, national emergency, or rebellion. Rather, it occurred in the service of protecting a fringe political entity with no legal standing. The Army’s use of live ammunition against its own citizens, contrary to its previously stated policies and constitutional duties must be treated as a grave breach of both national and international law.”
“Indeed, on 3 August 2024, the Chief of Army Staff, Mr. Wakar-uz-Zaman, publicly declared that the Bangladesh Army would not fire on its own people “”No fire on own people” was the spirit expressed by young army officers in the 3 August crucial meeting with their chief. General Waker-uz-Zaman, the chief, vowed more precisely: no fire from now on.”
“Consequently, this same army remained inactive on 5 August 2024, when the constitutional government of Bangladesh came under threat, raising questions about institutional bias and political partiality. The double standard is undeniable.”
“Furthermore, the NCP carried out the demolition of “House 32” at Dhanmondi—the historic residence of the father of the nation from which Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared Bangladesh’s Liberation War in 1971. This site, preserved as a national museum under a charity management and symbol of our struggle for independence, was destroyed over the course of 24+24 = 48 hours (two days) using bulldozers, and not a single army unit intervened to prevent this desecration.”
“Further on 05 August 2024, Waker-Uz-Zaman made a promise to national during his television speech that: “to have faith on him, he would bring the peace and order in the society”
“Yet on 16 July 2025, the act of using lethal weapons over the unarmed citizen which caused 21 deaths is contrary to what he has promised to the nation. The lethal force was deployed not to defend the nation, but to shield an unaccountable political force bent on undermining national history and unity.”
“These events, taken together, represent a coordinated assault on our national identity, democratic values, and human dignity. The Bangladesh Army’s actions—or wilful inaction—indicate a possible alignment with undemocratic forces, and its deployment in support of an unregistered political party raises grave concerns regarding the military’s constitutional obligations.”
Key Questions That Demand International Scrutiny:
• Who authorised the use of lethal force on peaceful protesters in Gopalganj?
• Under whose command were the fatal shots fired?
• Why was there complete inaction during the destruction of House 32 and yet a
deadly response to citizens protecting a graveyard?
• Why were no members of the NCP harmed or held accountable, while 21
civilians were killed?
• Are the people of Gopalganj not considered citizens of Bangladesh, worthy of
equal protection under the Constitution?
“We suspect political manipulation and systemic abuse of power at the highest levels-including the potential influence of unelected figures such as Dr. Muhammad Yunus,whose alleged involvement demands immediate investigation.”
Therefore, we mostly humbly Demand:
▪ Establish an independent international investigation into the use of lethal force by the Bangladesh Army against civilians in Gopalganj.
▪ Investigate the destruction of protected national heritage sites, including the
graveyard of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and Dhanmondi House 32.
▪ Hold the Bangladesh Army accountable under international law for any violations of
human rights, including extrajudicial killings and torture.
▪ Send a UN fact-finding mission or human rights observers to assess the ongoing
situation and prevent further escalation of violence.
▪ Support the protection of cultural heritage and the right to peaceful protest, in accordance with international conventions to which Bangladesh is a signatory.
“The events of 16 July 2025 are not just an attack on a community; they are an attack on the soul of a nation, its history, and its identity. The silence of the international community in this moment would only embolden further violations.”
“Bangladesh’s journey to independence was marked by great sacrifice. The memory of our founding father and the symbols of our liberation must be protected, not erased for political gain. We ask the United Nations and the international community to stand with the people of Bangladesh in this time of urgent need. We appeal to you, as the moral voice of the global order, to take swift and principled action.”
Yours sincerely,
International Crimes Research Foundation
END
Bangladesh, Gopalgunj, Lethal Force, UN, International Inquiry,
