The interim government of Bangladesh has formally requested United Nations support for an independent investigation into the assassination of Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent figure in the nation’s 2024 youth-led uprising. In an official diplomatic communiqué dispatched to Geneva, Bangladeshi authorities have appealed to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to provide technical and institutional assistance for what they describe as a “fair, impartial and expeditious” probe.
Hadi, aged 32, was fatally shot by masked assailants in Dhaka last December and subsequently succumbed to his injuries at a medical facility in Singapore. His untimely death ignited widespread violent demonstrations across the country, reflecting deep-seated political tensions.
The slain leader had been preparing to contest upcoming parliamentary elections as an independent candidate. These polls represent a crucial milestone in establishing Bangladesh’s first democratically elected administration since the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The current caretaker government, under the leadership of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, has reaffirmed its dedication to maintaining “the highest standards of transparency and accountability” throughout the investigation process. Authorities have pledged to identify and prosecute all individuals responsible for the political killing.
Hadi had gained recognition as a vocal critic of India, where the deposed Prime Minister Hasina has sought refuge since fleeing Dhaka during the July 2024 uprising that ended her administration. His supporters have memorialized him as both a martyr and symbolic figurehead for the anti-establishment youth movement that continues to transform Bangladesh’s volatile political landscape.