Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has issued a call for a complete overhaul of the state structure to ensure human rights, justice, and good governance amid escalating violence and rising deaths across the country.

In a statement released on Sunday, TIB outlined an 11-point demand during simultaneous human chains formed in Dhaka and 45 other locations nationwide. The organization emphasized that the students' movement has been the target of severe human rights violations, marked by indiscriminate and multifaceted brutal actions at multiple levels.

"The indiscriminate misuse of power by law enforcement agencies and relevant state institutions, the overall lack of good governance, and a governance system blinded by the arrogance of power, detached from public interest, devoid of transparency and accountability, and plagued by endless corruption are the primary factors behind this mayhem," said the Bangladesh chapter of Transparency International.

TIB’s 11-point demand:

1. Accountability for Human Rights Violations: Ensure proper accountability for all types and levels of human rights violations through a nationally and internationally acceptable investigation conducted by an independent commission established by the United Nations.

2. Overhaul of State Structure: Overhaul the entire state structure, including all institutions associated with the rule of law, particularly law enforcement and intelligence agencies, through a national consensus initiative to prevent future human rights violations.

3. End Harassment by Law Enforcement: Law enforcement agencies must immediately stop harassment and brutality towards students and ordinary citizens. All detained students and citizens must be unconditionally released, and all charges against them should be withdrawn.

4. Accountability for Abuses: All responsible for deaths, illegal, arbitrary abuses of power, and the use of force and lethal weapons must be identified and held accountable. Those ordering and approving such brutality must also face exemplary accountability.

5. Disclosure of Casualties: Release a comprehensive list of all deceased and injured, categorized by age and occupation, without delay.

6. Medical Treatment for Injured: Ensure full medical treatment and safety for the injured, along with guarantees for their return to normal lives.

7. Compensation and Rehabilitation: Provide just and fair compensation and rehabilitation for each victim and their families, with public disclosure of the rehabilitation procedure.

8. Freedom of Information: Create an environment conducive to the free and unfettered flow of information. Withdraw all threats, prohibitions, restrictions, and controls against media, including print, electronic, and digital. Stop all internet and social media restrictions immediately.

9. End Suppression of Dissent: Cease the suppression of dissent under the pretext of preventing violence. Stop surveillance-based intimidation against dissent, freedom of speech, and media freedom.

10. Stop False Narratives: End the use of deceptive narratives and falsehoods to justify illegal actions. Ensure human rights, justice, and accountable governance.

11. Combat Corruption: Move away from rhetorical claims of zero tolerance against corruption. Take effective actions to eradicate impunity for all forms of corruption, particularly at high levels, which have contributed to governance failures and professional bankruptcy of state institutions.

TIB stressed that the entirely peaceful, non-violent, and apolitical anti-discrimination student movement has faced imposed violence, leading to tragic losses and a reign of terror over the past two weeks. The situation has been marked by cruel killings through unlawful use of lethal weapons, arbitrary cases, indiscriminate attacks, mass arrests, illegal remand, and detentions by the Detective Branch (DB) under the guise of security.

False narratives have been used to legitimize these illegal activities, obstructing resolution of the crisis and escalating public concerns and mistrust, TIB added. According to independent assessments, at least 200 students and ordinary individuals, including children, teenagers, journalists, and other professionals, have been killed by law enforcement agencies. Additionally, more than 213,000 individuals have been implicated in over 200 cases in the capital alone.

Disregarding ethical considerations, students and individuals from diverse professions and classes have been apprehended, abducted, and falsely accused, even in the middle of the night, despite clear evidence of their non-involvement in any violence or illegal activities, TIB stated. Many detainees are reportedly subjected to physical and mental torture during remand.