A UN fact-finding mission has found evidence of serious human rights violations against Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League government during the crackdown on student protests in Bangladesh in July-August last year. According to a new report by the international organization, excessive force was used in a joint effort by security forces, intelligence agencies, and the Awami League and its affiliates.

The report says that government forces and Chhatra League activists used sexual abuse and physical torture to prevent women from participating in the protests. In several incidents, female protesters were illegally detained and physically and mentally tortured.

In one particularly notable incident, a female protester was attacked in Dhaka in August, where she was physically and sexually assaulted. Several such incidents have been reported in the UN report, where female protesters were subjected to humiliation, threats of rape, and physical abuse.

In addition, police and other security forces have also behaved brutally against children during the protests. Through the report, the United Nations has expressed deep concern about the human rights situation in Bangladesh and called on the international community to take action.