Students of Jahangirnagar University (JU) staged a protest demanding a ban on the Awami League, accusing the party of committing mass killings. The protest march began at Murad Square on Wednesday night and ended with a brief rally at the university gate. Addressing the gathering, Chhatra Dal leader Zakir Hossain claimed that many lives were lost due to the Awami League government, yet the party showed no remorse. Another student remarked, “Awami League was fascist in 1975, and it remains so in 2024.”

A six-member delegation of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, led by Secretary General Professor Mia Golam Parwar, is holding a meeting with the Election Commission (EC) today (Thursday, February 13). The meeting, presided over by Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) A M M Nasir Uddin, started at 10 AM at the Election Commission building in Agargaon, Dhaka. Earlier, on February 9, the EC had a meeting with BNP, led by its Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan.

A press release from the Bangladesh Embassy in Libya confirmed the repatriation of 145 Bangladeshis detained at Benghazi’s Ganfuda Detention Center on Wednesday (February 12). The repatriation was coordinated with the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The returnees are scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on Thursday (February 13) via Burak Air, with all costs covered by IOM.

A police headquarters press release on Wednesday (February 12) reported that security forces arrested 591 individuals in the latest phase of the nationwide crackdown, ‘Operation Devil Hunt.’ Additionally, 1,095 people wanted in various cases were detained. In the past 24 hours alone, 1,668 individuals were arrested. Authorities recovered a foreign pistol, a looted police rifle, two LG firearms, four one-shooter guns, and various other weapons.

Every evening, a ‘core committee’ met at former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal’s residence to strategize the suppression of student protests. Participants included top police, military, and intelligence officials, as well as banned student organization Chhatra League’s president Saddam Hossain. Senior army generals joined from July 20 onward. Reports indicate that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her office closely coordinated with security chiefs. On July 14, acting on orders from Obaidul Quader and Saddam Hossain, security forces violently attacked student demonstrators.

Families of army officers killed in the 2009 BDR mutiny have claimed they are receiving threats from Awami League members for filing cases against Sheikh Hasina at the International Crimes Tribunal. At a press conference, the newly formed ‘Shaheed Sena Association’ demanded that convicted BDR rebels not be granted bail or released.

The UN has recommended prosecuting those responsible for the indiscriminate killings during the July uprising and removing individuals accused of human rights violations and corruption. It advised limiting the power of the military intelligence agency DGFI, disbanding RAB, and barring officers involved in human rights violations from participating in UN peacekeeping missions. The report also emphasized ensuring freedom of speech and preventing unnecessary harassment of Awami League supporters and minority leaders.

Fugitive former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina faces approximately 576 cases in Dhaka, including charges of genocide and crimes against humanity. Several hundred more cases have been filed outside the capital. More than 300 cases have been formally submitted to the International Crimes Tribunal, with four nearing the final investigation stage. Three of these cases name Hasina as the mastermind behind orders to fire on and kill unarmed student protesters. Additional complaints accuse her of orchestrating mass killings and disappearances during the Shapla Chattar protests.

Hasnat Abdullah, convener of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, declared, "Either we stay, or the Awami League does." Speaking at the funeral procession of slain student activist Abul Kashem on Wednesday night, he lamented their failure to secure justice. "The very day the UN report on human rights violations was released, my brother was martyred," he said, asserting that the Awami League and revolutionaries cannot coexist.

Dr. Muhammad Yunus, a senior advisor, arrived in Dubai on Wednesday (February 12) at 11:15 PM local time for a two-day visit to attend the World Government Summit, according to Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam. He was welcomed by UAE Minister of Sports Ahmed Belhoul Al Falasi. During their meeting, they discussed potential collaboration in sports and cultural exchange between the two nations.

At a rally in Sirajganj, BNP Standing Committee member Nazrul Islam Khan stated that if BNP remains united, no other party can win the next election. He emphasized the sacrifices of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and thousands of victims of enforced disappearances and killings. Khan urged BNP leaders and activists to stand by the people, asserting that Ziaur Rahman’s legacy and Khaleda Zia’s 31-point roadmap will shape the nation’s future.

A UN fact-finding mission has revealed that between July 1 and August 15, over 1,400 people, including 12-13% children, were killed in the Bangladesh protests. Thousands more were injured, with most victims shot by security forces. The report also notes that 44 police officers lost their lives during the clashes.

A UN investigative report has found that security forces acted on direct orders from former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during the July-August uprising, leading to indiscriminate killings. It names top government figures, including Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, as key conspirators. On July 19, Hasina reportedly instructed law enforcement to arrest and eliminate protest coordinators.

The UN has made 50 key recommendations regarding the July-August uprising and mass killings in Bangladesh. Among them is the dissolution of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and the National Telecommunication Monitoring Center (NTMC) due to severe human rights violations. The report also suggests limiting the powers of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and the Defense Intelligence Directorate (DGFI) to prevent further abuse of authority.

Filmmaker and advisor Mostofa Sarwar Farooki compared the country’s 16-year ordeal to the infamous Ayna Ghor detention center. In a Facebook post, he recalled his friend Sajedul Islam Suman, who was allegedly executed and disposed of in the Shitalakkhya River under orders from intelligence officials.