United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, has officially presented the UN Fact-Finding Mission`s report on the July Massacre.

The report was formally introduced today, March 5, in Geneva, Switzerland, at 6:00 PM Bangladesh time.

During the presentation, Volker Turk stated that the July Massacre involved widespread and systematic human rights violations, including violence against women. He highlighted that many children and young individuals had been left permanently disabled due to the atrocities. He also acknowledged that the interim government fully cooperated in the fact-finding investigation and assured that the UN Commission would continue providing all necessary support to Bangladesh in the future.

Turk further mentioned that the Human Rights Council would be regularly updated on the matter. He emphasized that Dr. Muhammad Yunus had also placed significant personal importance on the issue. According to Turk, this is a major opportunity for Bangladesh to move forward collectively, setting aside all divisions.

Speaking on reforms, he stated that the interim government is actively working towards justice for the massacre`s victims. Several reform commissions have already been formed, but he acknowledged that implementing these reforms remains a complex process.

Legal advisor Asif Nazrul also spoke at the event, stressing that the interim government has a responsibility to ensure proper justice for the July Massacre. He asserted that this report does not mark the end of the UN Human Rights Commission`s engagement with Bangladesh. He also reiterated that the current government aims to uphold human rights for all citizens.

Nazrul further noted that ongoing reforms are being carried out to restore public trust and confidence. A Consensus Commission has already been formed to facilitate national reconciliation. He acknowledged that while several incidents of political violence have occurred, most of these have allegedly been carried out by Awami League-affiliated groups. However, he clarified that the government does not endorse such actions in any way.

Regarding minority communities, Nazrul dismissed claims of one-sided persecution against them, asserting that Muslims have been the primary victims of many violent incidents rather than religious minorities.

On February 12, the UN Human Rights Commission published its investigative report on the July-August killings. The report stated that law enforcement agencies carried out indiscriminate shootings during the coup under direct orders from former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The findings also implicated Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan in the massacre, confirming the involvement of senior government officials in the events.

The report further revealed that on July 19 of last year, Sheikh Hasina had instructed top officials in a high-level meeting to arrest, kill, or forcibly disappear movement coordinators. A core committee was formed, consisting of law enforcement and intelligence agency heads, which was responsible for executing these orders. The report also stated that regular meetings were held by the then Home Minister from July 20 onward to oversee the crackdown.

The findings have raised serious concerns about state-backed violence, and the UN`s continued monitoring of the situation indicates that international scrutiny on Bangladesh`s human rights record is far from over.