July massacre
The July massacre was the violent suppression and mass killings in Bangladesh during the July Revolution from 16 July to 5 August 2024. Triggered by the reinstatement of a controversial quota system and widespread public dissatisfaction, the crackdown was carried out by the government led by the Awami League, its affiliated groups such as the Chhatra League, and various law-enforcement agencies.
In June 2024, the Bangladesh Supreme Court reinstated the quota system in government jobs, triggering the resurgence of the quota reform movement in early July. Following weeks of demonstrations, tensions escalated on July 15 after clashes between protesters and members of the Chhatra League. In the days that followed, law enforcement agencies, including the Police, RAB, and BGB, as well as members of the ruling party's student, youth and volunteer wings, were involved in violent confrontations with the protesters. These clashes resulted in numerous deaths, including among protesters, law enforcement personnel, party members, bystanders, and children. By early August, the violence had resulted in substantial casualties, with estimates of fatalities ranging from two hundred to one thousand, and thousands more reported injured.
Hasina government has denied responsibility, attributing the violence to other factors. The events of July 2024 have since been widely scrutinised, with varying views on their impact on Bangladesh's sociopolitical landscape.
Background
The massacre was a significant event in the political spectrum of Bangladesh, and part of the ongoing unrest that began in mid-2024. The Supreme Court's decision to reinstate a 30% job quota for descendants of freedom fighters sparked initial protests as the decision reversed reforms from 2018 made in response to the 2018 Bangladesh quota reform movement. This decision led to widespread dissatisfaction, particularly among students who felt that the quota system limited merit-based opportunities.The protests, initially centered on opposing the quota system, quickly spread nationwide, driven by broader public concerns about the government's management of the economy, allegations of corruption, human rights issues, and a perceived lack of democratic channels for change.
In response to the protests, the government, led by the Awami League, ordered the closure of all educational institutions and deployed security forces nationwide, including the Bangladesh Police, the Rapid Action Battalion and Border Guard Bangladesh. Additionally, some ministers and members of the Awami League reportedly influenced its affiliated organisations, such as the Chhatra League, the Jubo League, and the Swechasebak League, to take measures against the protesters. These actions included the use of lethal force, with reports indicating that members of these groups were involved in incidents resulting in the deaths of several protesters, many of whom were students.
As the situation escalated, the government imposed a nationwide shoot-at-sight curfew and enacted an extensive blackout of internet and mobile connectivity, effectively isolating Bangladesh. Social media platforms like Facebook, TikTok and WhatsApp were blocked to disrupt the protestors' ability to organise and communicate.
Massacre
On 16 July five people were killed during clashes between protesters and police in the 2024 quota reform movement. It was the first fatality reported during the movement.In July 2024 approximately 46 unidentified bodies were buried in Dhaka's Rayerbazar graveyard. Graveyard workers reported a rise in these burials starting from 19 July, although the cemetery's official records did not document these unidentified individuals.
In August 2024 it was reported that 78% of the fatalities sustained lethal bullet wounds. According to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the massacre resulted in 650 deaths from 16 July to 11 August 2024. However, in an interview, the Home Affairs adviser M. Sakhawat Hossain indicated that the actual death toll may be closer to 1,000. There is conflicting information regarding the reported number of deaths.
On 19 July, a violent suppression of a students' protest in Rampura Thana, Dhaka by the Police and BGB resulted in at least 11 deaths and more than 21 injured.
On 12 September 2024, over a month after the incident and Hasina's resignation, Constable Sujon Hossain was arrested for his involvement in the Chankharpul massacre. The International Crimes Tribunal issued an order for Hossain to be incarcerated for crimes against humanity on 12 January 2025.
The Students Against Discrimination reported that 266 individuals died between 16 and 25 July. However, Prothom Alo reported that 624 people died between July 16 and August 16, with 354 of those deaths occurring before the resignation of Sheikh Hasina. Among the total reported deaths, 66 were children. Additionally, certain reports have also indicated that among the deceased, 117 were associated with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and 87 with the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami.
In August 2024 an incident has occurred near Ashulia Police Station in Savar, where a video surfaced showing police officers piling up dead bodies on a van known as "Ashulia immolation killings". The footage went viral on social media, leading to widespread outrage and demands for accountability. The video depicts several bloodstained bodies, partially covered with bedsheets, being placed on a van by individuals wearing police vests and carrying firearms. The event was believed to have occurred on 5 August, following the resignation of Sheikh Hasina. In response to the viral video, the Dhaka District Police formed a four-member committee to investigate the incident. Led by Additional Superintendent of Police Sajadur Rahman, the committee was tasked with verifying the authenticity of the video and identifying those responsible. Although, the police have acknowledged the presence of the officers at the scene, they have refrained from disclosing their names, pending further steps in the investigation.
The Cybercrime team has been engaged to aid in verifying the footage and gathering evidence.
Documents from Dhaka Medical College and Hospital indicated that 1,700 people were admitted during the protests, with 98 reported deaths. However, doctors and hospital officials suggested that over 100 people died at the hospital, with many not officially recorded. Additionally, several bodies with bullet wounds were forcibly taken by families before autopsies could be conducted.
Controversies
There were reports alleging that the Rapid Action Battalion fired at protesters from helicopters during the unrest. On 18 July RAB utilised helicopters to evacuate police personnel from the campus of the Canadian University of Bangladesh. Some protesters claimed that shots were fired from the helicopters, resulting in the deaths of ten children. RAB, however, denied these accusations, stating that only tear gas and sound grenades were deployed from the helicopters.Additionally, questions were raised regarding the death of 11-year-old Shafkat Samir on 19 July, with some attributing it to a bullet fired from a helicopter. RAB refuted this claim, explaining that the trajectory and speed of the bullet did not correspond with such an incident.
A report published on 11 August 2024 indicated that obtaining accurate information about the number of fatalities during the July events was hindered by a government directive that restricted the disclosure of the exact death toll to the media.
In August 2024 a video surfaced in which an unidentified police officer was heard telling the former home minister Asaduzzaman Khan that the use of force, including lethal measures, had not been effective in dispersing the protesters.