The United Nations Has Not Commented on the Gopalganj Violence

2 August, 2025 3:20 pm

On July 16, violent clashes, vandalism, arson, and crude bomb explosions occurred in Gopalganj surrounding the July march by the National Citizen Party (NCP). During this time, at least five people were killed in clashes between law enforcement agencies and supporters of the Awami League. In this context, widespread claims have recently circulated on social media asserting that “the United Nations has found evidence of genocide in Gopalganj.”

See such posts on Facebook here (archive), here (archive), and here (archive).

Fact Check

An investigation by the Rumor Scanner team revealed that the United Nations has not issued any comment so far regarding the clashes and violence between law enforcement and Awami League supporters in Gopalganj. However, it was found that a group called the International Crimes Research Foundation (ICRF) sent a letter to the United Nations describing the Gopalganj incident as genocide.

A search with relevant keywords did not yield any reliable evidence supporting the claim. If the UN or any associated party had declared the Gopalganj incident as genocide, it would have been reported by mainstream media. Moreover, no reliable evidence supporting this claim was found by observing the official UN website or the website of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

However, an article titled “Bangladesh: Gopalganj violence reaches UN with ‘genocide’ allegations, Army’s role questioned” was found on July 17 on Indian news outlet Firstpost’s website. The report states: “The clash that started in Gopalganj, the home district of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, on July 16 has now reached the UN, described as ‘genocide’ based on allegations. In a letter to the UN’s Ethics Office, an independent NGO named International Crimes Research Foundation (ICRF) raised concerns about political violence, heritage destruction, and other human rights violations in Bangladesh… The letter claims that NCP leaders entered Gopalganj with thousands of supporters intending to insult and destroy the grave of Bangladesh’s founding father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman… ICRF has called for an independent international investigation into the Gopalganj crisis and urged the UN to hold the Bangladesh Army accountable under international law for human rights violations such as extrajudicial killings and torture.”

The Indian media outlet News18 also published a report on the letter sent by ICRF to the UN. Notably, the Firstpost article includes an image of part of the letter showing the ICRF logo. However, further investigation found no reputable organization named International Crimes Research Foundation (ICRF). A Facebook page with that name and logo was found, which links to a website, but the site (www.icrfoundation.org) was inaccessible. Observations showed that the Facebook page is mainly operated from the UK, Bangladesh, and Australia, and has only two posts this year, one of which shares a live video from the verified Facebook page of the Awami League featuring a speech by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Further inquiry into the LinkedIn profile of online activist Nijhum Majumdar indicates that he has worked as a Legal Analyst at the International Crimes Research Foundation for nearly 11 years.

A report published on July 25 on the website of mainstream media outlet The Daily Star reveals that the legal advocacy organization Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) observed the political rally of the National Citizen Party (NCP) in Gopalganj, which led to clashes and gunfire resulting in five civilian deaths, many injuries, and mass arrests. After a two-day preliminary fact-finding mission, a four-member ASK delegation stated that serious human rights violations occurred during the violence in Gopalganj. They also noted that the attack on the political rally infringed on citizens’ rights to assembly and expression.

In addition, a July 26 report in mainstream media Samakal states that 11 observer citizens expressed concern about the violence, casualties, and mass arrests surrounding the NCP rally in Gopalganj. After visiting Gopalganj on July 22, they stated on Saturday (July 26), calling for a proper investigation, protection of human rights, and assurance of constitutional rights to peaceful assembly. These observers include: photographer Shahidul Alam, journalist Tasneem Khalil, artist Bithi Ghosh, writer Firoz Ahmed, Dhaka University professors Samina Luthfa, Moshaheda Sultana, and Rushad Faridi, lawyers Sara Hossain and Manzoor Al Matin, and rights activist Nafiuul Alam Supto.

However, no information was found anywhere stating that the United Nations has found evidence of genocide in Gopalganj.

In other words, although a letter was sent labelling the Gopalganj incident as “genocide,” the United Nations has not issued any statement recognizing it as such.