2013 Shapla Square protests

2013 mass protest in Bangladesh January 2018 2013 Bangladesh violence Protesters in Shapla Square in May 2013 5 May 2013 – 6 May 2013(5 5 2013 5 6 2013) Dhaka 2013 Bangladesh violence * Enactment of blasphemy law; Stopping criticism of Islam. Sit-in occupation of Shapla Square * Protesters barricading the Shapla Square shot Reports of deaths of protesters in Shapla Square Dozens of protesters killed on the morning of 6 May in Narayanganj and Bagerhat; Diganta Television and Islamic TV shut down. Bangladesh Government of Bangladesh Bangladesh Police Flag.svg Bangladesh Police Rapid Action Battalion বাংলাদেশ আওয়ামী লীগের পতাকা.svg Awami League বাংলাদেশ ছাত্রলীগের পতাকা.svg Bangladesh Chhatra League Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh Flag of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh.svg Sheikh Hasina Bangladesh Muhiuddin Khan Alamgir Benazir Ahmed Shah Ahmad Shafi 93 killed (Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh claims)10-12 (government claims)53-61 (Independent sources)শাপলা চত্বর গণহত্যা: ৯৩ জন শহিদের খসড়া তালিকা প্রকাশ করল হেফাজত https://www.shomoyeralo.com/news/311833 2025-05-17 www.shomoyeralo.com2025-05-03 ২০১৩ সালে শাপলা চত্বরে গণহত্যায় ৫৮ জন নিহত: উপ-প্রেস সচিব https://sarabangla.net/news/post-1000056/ 2025-05-17 The Shapla Square protests (bn শাপলা চত্বর আন্দোলন Shapla Chattar Andolon), also known as Operation Flash Out by security forces, was the protests and subsequent shootings of protesters on 5 and 6 May 2013 at Shapla Square, located in the Motijheel district, the main financial area of Dhaka, Bangladesh.https://www.dawn.com/news/812309/at-least-22-dead-as-police-clash-with-bangladesh-islamists At least 32 dead as Bangladesh Islamists demand blasphemy law 6 May 2013 DAWN Agence France-Presse 19 May 2013 The protests were organized by the Islamist advocacy group, Hefazat-e Islam, who were demanding the enactment of a blasphemy law.http://www.theindependentbd.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=168711:press-note-on-motijheel-reflects-party-views-instead-of-govt-dudu&catid=132:backpage&Itemid=122 Press note on Motijheel reflects party views instead of govt: Dudu 12 May 2013 Weekend Independent https://web.archive.org/web/20131029050045/http://www.theindependentbd.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=168711%3Apress-note-on-motijheel-reflects-party-views-instead-of-govt-dudu&catid=132%3Abackpage&Itemid=122 29 October 2013 19 May 2013 dead http://gulfnews.com/news/world/other-world/radical-islamists-lay-siege-to-dhaka-1.1179391 Radical Islamists lay siege to Dhaka Rahman Anisur 5 May 2013 Gulf News 19 May 2013 The government, headed by then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina responded to the protests by cracking down on the protesters using a combined force drawn from the Bangladesh Police, Rapid Action Battalion and paramilitary Border Guard Bangladesh to drive the protesters out of Shapla Square.Ashraf Shamim 6 May 2013 Hefajat men flee Motijheel http://archive.thedailystar.net/beta2/news/security-forces-start-operation/ The Daily Star 28 May 2014 29 May 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140529052231/http://archive.thedailystar.net/beta2/news/security-forces-start-operation/ dead Bangladesh clashes rage over blasphemy law http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2013/05/20135510413485449.html Al Jazeera 6 May 2013https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-22418379 Riot police battle Islamists in Dhaka Bangladesh BBC News 21 May 2013Govt trashes loss of thousands of lives rumour http://archive.thedailystar.net/beta2/news/govt-trashes-loss-of-thousands-of-lives-rumour/ The Daily Star UNB 10 May 2013 28 May 2014 29 May 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140529084522/http://archive.thedailystar.net/beta2/news/govt-trashes-loss-of-thousands-of-lives-rumour/ dead Following the events at Motijheel, protests in other parts of the country also broke out, during which 27 people died,27 more killed http://www.thedailystar.net/beta2/news/22-more-killed/ The Daily Star 7 May 2013 7 May 2013Paul Ruma At least 20 dead in Islamist protests in Bangladesh https://news.yahoo.com/death-toll-bangladesh-clashes-rises-20-police-165924074.html Yahoo News Reuters https://web.archive.org/web/20130506191531/http://news.yahoo.com/death-toll-bangladesh-clashes-rises-20-police-165924074.html 6 May 2013 7 May 2013BNS bears Hefajat brunt http://www.thedailystar.net/beta2/news/bns-bears-hefajat-brunt/ The Daily Star 7 May 2013 although different sources report casualty numbers ranging from 20 to 61.Al-Mahmood Syed Zain 6 May 2013 Bangladesh protest violence leaves more than 30 people dead https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/may/06/bangladesh-protest-violence-people-dead The Guardian 20 May 2013Clashes over Islam blasphemy law kill 27 in Bangladesh http://news.msn.com/world/clashes-over-islam-blasphemy-law-kill-27-in-bangladesh MSN https://web.archive.org/web/20130610011034/http://news.msn.com/world/clashes-over-islam-blasphemy-law-kill-27-in-bangladesh 10 June 2013 20 May 2013July 2025 Human Rights Watch and other human rights organizations put the total death toll at above 50.Hunter Kyle Blood on the Streets: The Use of Excessive Force During Bangladesh Protests https://www.hrw.org/report/2013/08/01/blood-streets/use-excessive-force-during-bangladesh-protests 26 December 2016 Human Rights Watch August 2013 Initial attempts to dispute the chain of events were thwarted due to the government closure of two television channels, Diganta Television and Islamic TV, which were live telecasting the operation.http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2013/05/06/diganta-islamic-tv-taken-off-air Diganta, Islamic TV taken off air 6 May 2013 bdnews24.com Background 13 point demand In early 2013, Hefajat-e Islam emerged as a pressure group composed of madrassah teachers and students,16 March 2015 Civil & Political Rights In Bangladesh https://www.achrweb.org/reports/bangla/CCPR-Bangladesh2015-02.pdf Asian Centre for Human Rights 1 37 8 January 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20160309133627/http://www.achrweb.org/reports/bangla/CCPR-Bangladesh2015-02.pdf 9 March 2016 dead led by Shah Ahmad Shafi, rector of Hathazari Madrasah. The group became particularly active after allegations surfaced that some protesters in the Shahbag protests were involved in the publishing of content offensive to Muslims on blogs,http://www.bdinn.com/articles/hefazat-e-islam-explains-the-13-points-demands/ Hefazat-e-Islam explains the 13 points demands Bangladesh Independent News Network 12 March 2015 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20140819012848/http://bdinn.com/articles/hefazat-e-islam-explains-the-13-points-demands/ 19 August 2014 including the depiction of Muhammad as a pornographic character. On 6 April 2013, its supporters made a long-march to promote their 13-point charter, which included:Ganajagaran vows to resist Hefazat hartal http://theindependentbd.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=163598:ganajagaran-vows-to-resist-hefazat-hartal&catid=129:frontpage&Itemid=121 The Independent Dhaka 7 April 2013 26 October 2013 https://archive.today/20130820154457/http://theindependentbd.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=163598:ganajagaran-vows-to-resist-hefazat-hartal&catid=129:frontpage&Itemid=121 20 August 2013 Restoration the phrase "Complete faith and trust in the Almighty Allah" in the nation's constitution; Enact a blasphemy law;July 2013 The Dhaka Massacre of 6 May 2013: A Briefing http://deshrights.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/dhakamassacre_final.pdf Desh Rights 1 1 26 December 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20140728175210/http://deshrights.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/dhakamassacre_final.pdf 28 July 2014 Taking measures for punishment of "atheist bloggers" who led the Shahbagh movement, and against anti-Islam activists who made "derogatory remarks" against the Muhammad;http://hefajate-islam.org/?p=159 Allama Shafi hopes to end all confusion Hefazat-e-Islam explains the 13 points demands 12 March 2015 Hefajat e Islam Bangladesh dead https://web.archive.org/web/20150402133517/http://hefajate-islam.org/?p=159 2 April 2015 Stopping "infiltration of all 'alien-culture', in the name of individual's freedom of expression, including free mixing of male and female" and candle lighting. Stopping harassment of women, open fornication and adultery, sexual harassment, all forms of violence against women and an end to the tradition of dowry; Make Islamic education mandatory from primary to higher secondary levels, cancelling the women's, and anti-religion, education policy; Declaration of Ahmadiyyas as non-Muslim; Stopping the erection of statues to be popularly venerated, such as by the placement of flowers; Lifting government restrictions on access to mosques across the country, including Baitul Mukarram National Mosque; Stopping Islamophobic content in media; Stopping activities by NGOs in the Chittagong Hill Tracts where Hefazat feared a "foreign conspiracy" to make a separate Christian state in that area;http://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-127788 Unknown Islamist group flexes its muscles in Ctg 25 February 2010 The Daily Star 12 January 2017 Stop the extrajudicial killing of ulema; Stopping the harassment of teachers and students of Qawmi madrassas and ulema; Release of all ulema, and madrassa students, that had been arrested and the withdrawal of all cases filed against them, compensation for the victims, and bringing the assailants to justice. The government responded by saying that it had "already met" many of the group's demands. This included the arrest of four bloggers for making derogatory comments against Muhammad. Human Rights Watch warning On 3 May 2013, Human Rights Watch issued warnings, based on information obtained from diplomatic missions regarding an imminent government crackdown, to security forces against committing excesses in the planned upcoming protests.http://www.weeklyholiday.net/homepage/pages/UserHome.aspx?ID=2&date=05/10/2013 Motijheel massacre spawns unintended consequences 10 May 2013 Weekly Holiday 1 Weekly Holiday 17 January 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170118050147/http://www.weeklyholiday.net/homepage/pages/UserHome.aspx?ID=2&date=05%2F10%2F2013 18 January 2017 dead It also urged the government to appoint an independent commission to investigate the killing of civilians since February, and prosecute those responsible for unlawful killings and use of force. Protests 5 May Hefazat-e-Islam organized a protest on 5 May demanding a trial of "atheist bloggers",https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-22049408 Bangladesh Islamists rally against bloggers 6 April 2013 BBC News and new legislation for the punishment for blasphemy. On 5 May 2013, Hefazat activists blockaded all six entrance routes to Dhaka from dawn. At noon, with the permission of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), activists entered Dhaka and started moving towards Baitul Mukarram Mosque to attend a prayer service. However, activists of Hefazat-e- Islam were attacked en route by armed Awami League activists, who were using the Gulistan Road to reach Shapla Square. In self defense, Hefazat activists counterattacked with bricks. During the clashes, two television journalists were injured, apparently by Hefazat protesters.2 scribes beaten up by Hifazat http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2013/05/05/2-scribes-beaten-up-by-hifazat bdnews24.com 5 May 2013 At about 3:00 pm, while Hefazat leaders were delivering speeches, the Secretary General of the Awami League, Sayed Ashraful Islam, demanded, via press conference, that they leave Dhaka. The opposition party, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) countered by asserting that Hefazat members had a democratic right to assemble and articulate their cause. During the unrest, Hefazat protesters allegedly attacked the offices of the Communist Party of Bangladesh at Motijheel.Hifazat men burn CPB office http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2013/05/05/hifazat-men-burn-cpb-office bdnews24.com 5 May 2013 5 May 2013How could they do it? http://www.thedailystar.net/beta2/news/how-could-they-do-it/ The Daily Star 7 May 2013 Hefazat claimed that their workers were unarmed and had come under attack by the police and Bangladesh Chhatra League activists at Gulistan, Purana Paltan and Baitul Mukarram, and in front of the Communist Party offices. Hefazat supporters reportedly vandalized at least 50 vehicles and several buildings during their rally.Hifazat sets vehicles on fire http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2013/05/05/hifazat-sets-vehicles-on-fire bdnews24.com 5 May 2013 They violently attacked others in front of the Awami League headquarters at Paltan, Dhaka, and allegedly set fire to a number of book stores near the Baitul Mukarram mosque.Hifazat burns Quran, Hadith in blind rage http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2013/05/06/hifazat-burns-quran-hadith-in-blind-rage bdnews24.com 6 May 2013 6 May By nightfall, many of the demonstrators had left the city, but about 50,000- 70,000 still remained in Shapla Square. After 10 pm, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina reportedly gave the initial order to launch an operation at Shapla Square. Acting on that directive, law enforcement agencies cut electricity at 1:45 am and launched a coordinated crackdown, leaving one exit open.'Hasina ordered Shapla Chattar massacre,' reveals ICT Investigation https://observerbd.com/news/567626 2026-04-24 observerbd.com bn Hefazat members held prayers at the square and were addressed by their leaders. At around 2.15 am on 6 May, security forces cut power to the area. At 2:30 a.m. about 5000 members of the security forces launched "Operation Shapla", or "Operation Flash Out", to remove them. The forces included members of the Bangladesh Police, RAB, and BGB. At first, they used megaphones, asking the protesters to leave the area peacefully. Then, moving in from three directions via Dainik Bangla, Fakirapool and the Bangladesh Bank intersection, security forces used tear gas, rubber bullets, and sound grenades to disperse the demonstrators. Most fled the area, but others hid in side streets and buildings, where they were shot down by security forces. Hefazat alleged that the bodies were then picked up by garbage trucks and dumped outside the city. Ahmad Shafi was escorted away from a madrassa in Dhaka and flown to Chittagong.The police insisted he was not arrested but was leaving voluntarily. On the following morning, the protests spread across the country. In Narayanganj, students and teachers of a local madrasa held protests and blockaded the Dhaka-Chittagong highway. In return, police fired on the protesters, killing 27. In Hathazari Upazila, six people were shot dead by police, while in Bagerhat, a Hefazat member died in a clash between protesters and police. Casualties According to government estimates, the number of casualties in this operation was 11, including a few law enforcement members,HRW rebuts genocide claim http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2013/05/11/hrw-rebuts-genocide-claim bdnews24.com 11 May 2013 26 October 2013 while the Daily Star reported 5 deaths. Opposition parties initially claimed that 2000- 3000 of protesters had been killed, while Hefazat claimed about 1000 deaths. Human Rights Watch disagreed with Hefazat's claims. Some victims were bystanders, including a number of shopkeepers near the Baitul Mukarram, while most were Hefazat supporters, including children, who were killed by a blow to the head or gunshot wounds. Doctors at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital confirmed that many of those dead had been shot in the head. One policeman was also attacked in reprisal. According to Human Rights Watch, eyewitnesses saw 25-30 bodies that were confirmed dead. This included British activist and journalist David Bergman, who saw 24 bodies.https://ceasefiremagazine.co.uk/who-massacre-investigated-bangladesh-2013-massacre/ 'Who said this would be investigated?' Bangladesh and the May 2013 Massacre 5 May 2014 Ceasefire Magazine 26 December 2016 The Guardian reported 22 confirmed deaths, while an investigation conducted by Aljazeera revealed that 14 bodies of "bearded men" with gunshot wounds were buried, after the protests, at Dhaka's state-run cemetery.Video suggests higher Bangladesh protest toll http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2013/05/2013514143842666992.html 26 December 2016 Aljazeera Aljazeera 14 May 2013 Human rights group Odhikar reported 61 deaths, but refused to reveal the names of the victims out of security concerns for their families. The UK Home Office estimates a total of no fewer than total of 50 deaths.February 2015 Country Information and Guidance Bangladesh: Opposition to the government https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/565489/CIG-BGD-Political-opponents-v1-February-2015.pdf UK Home Office 11 11 January 2017 13 January 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170113154137/https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/565489/CIG-BGD-Political-opponents-v1-February-2015.pdf dead Many individuals, including orphan children, were missing, which may have contributed to the discrepancies in casualties. Because of the differing views, Human Rights Watch called for an independent body to investigate the protest deaths.https://www.hrw.org/news/2013/05/10/bangladesh-independent-body-should-investigate-protest-deaths Bangladesh: Independent Body Should Investigate Protest Deaths 11 May 2013 Human Rights Watch New York 25 August 2013Bergman David Nelson Dean 6 May 2013 36 killed in Dhaka as Islamic militants clash with police https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/bangladesh/10039795/36-killed-in-Dhaka-as-Islamic-militants-clash-with-police.html The Telegraph London 21 May 2013Clashes over Bangladesh protest leave 27 dead https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-22423815 BBC News 21 May 2013 Amnesty International demanded that Bangladesh government set up an independent and impartial investigation immediately to look into police excesses.http://www.weeklyholiday.net/homepage/pages/UserHome.aspx?ID=3&date=05/10/2013#Tid=4870 Amnesty wants neutral probe into Motijheel crackdown 10 May 2013 Weekly Holiday 1 Weekly Holiday 17 January 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170118050835/http://www.weeklyholiday.net/homepage/pages/UserHome.aspx?ID=3&date=05%2F10%2F2013#Tid=4870 18 January 2017 dead On 19 August 2024, the organization Odhikar released a list of 61 individuals who were killed by law enforcement during the protests.https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/355345/hefazat-rally-in-shapla-chattar-odhikar-publishes Hefazat rally in Shapla Chattar: Odhikar publishes list of killed people Dhaka Tribune 19 August 2024 On 6 May 2025, Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh published a list of 93 individuals who were killed during the event.2013 Shapla Chattar massacre: Hefazat publishes list of 93 victims https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/380404/hefazat-publishes-list-of-93-allegedly-killed-at 2025-05-06 Dhaka Tribune en Censorship Diganta TV and Islamic TV were broadcasting live footage of the raid on Motijheel when they were forced off-air on the dawn of 6 May. Diganta Television's chief reporter M. Kamruzzaman said that around 25 plain-clothed policemen and an official from the broadcast commission had entered their studios without warning. According to the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC), the channels' reporting on raid on Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh contained "exaggerated things, (had) given misinformation and called for breaking the law and attacking the law enforcers."http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2013/may/06/govt-closes-2-tv-networks Govt closes 2 TV networks 6 May 2013 Karim Mohosinul Dhaka Tribune Islam Muhammad Zahidul 12 December 2015 Salam Mariahttp://archive.thedailystar.net/beta2/news/diganta-islamic-tv-off-air/ Diganta, Islamic TV off air 7 May 2013 The Daily Star 12 December 2015 13 January 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160113100816/http://archive.thedailystar.net/beta2/news/diganta-islamic-tv-off-air/ dead Critics have accused the Sheikh Hasina government of using the Islamist issue to silence dissidents. Reactions Domestic Government In response to the massacre allegations, police claimed the operation resulted in “zero casualty” while 14 party leaders claimed it to be "bloodless." Bangladeshi foreign minister Dipu Moni downplayed reports of inaccuracy in government figures and added that "most of the people in the country doesn't even think that there was any controversy with the matter." On 19 June, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina rejected the allegations, stating in Parliament ... and that day's event was fully televised, you have seen how they have rubbed red dye onto their bodies and when police came and called them they got up and ran away ... we saw that dead bodies made a run for it! This kind of drama has been made there.Parliamentary speech of Sheikh Hasina 19 June 2013 "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoucAYQlQIc" She also blamed the attack on her arch rival Khaleda Zia, claiming: “She (Khaleda) is the instigator, she is the issuer of order.” Awami League politicians blamed the BNP, Jamaat and ISI of backing the protests. Hefazat was also criticized for bringing minors, who were also attacked by law enforcement agencies during the operation,Chowdhury Kamran Reza 23 May 2013 Lawmakers allergic to word 'Hefazat' https://www.dhakatribune.com/world/23/sports-reflect-deeper-divide-in-ethnic-afghanistan Dhaka Tribune 29 May 2014Noted personalities express concern http://www.daily-sun.com/details_yes_15-05-2013_Children-in-violent-politics_497_2_5_1_0.html The Daily Sun Dhaka https://web.archive.org/web/20140529221919/http://www.daily-sun.com/details_yes_15-05-2013_Children-in-violent-politics_497_2_5_1_0.html 29 May 2014 29 May 2014 May 5 Shapla Chattar grand rally of Hefazat-e-Islam. In TV footages and video clips posted on different social media showed, Hefazat brought a large number of Quami Madrasah students who mostly are below 18 years to the grand rally and siege programmes at six entry points of the capital. After crackdown by the joint forces of BGB, RAB and Police, many panic-stricken children were seen coming out from the pandemonium of the Motijheel Shapla Chattar. Later some participant children told media that they have ever come to the capital and joined the Hefazat programmes on direction of their teachers without knowing details about the programmes. to the protests.Raju Mohammed Norul Alam 1 December 2013 Keep the children out of it http://www.dhakatribune.com/op-ed/2013/dec/01/keep-children-out-it Dhaka Tribune 29 May 2014Islam Zyma 11 January 2014 Child Act-2013: A milestone not without shortcomings http://childrights.thedailystar.net/2014/01/child-act-2013-a-milestone-not-without-shortcomings/ Promoting Child Rights The Daily Star https://web.archive.org/web/20140414193931/http://childrights.thedailystar.net/2014/01/child-act-2013-a-milestone-not-without-shortcomings/ 14 April 2014 29 May 2014 Opposition The opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party compared the attacks to the Pakistani crackdown on 25 March and Jalianwala Bagh massacres. BNP leader M.K. Anwar called it a "disastrous killing." In response, the Detective Branch of Bangladesh Police raided the houses of BNP convener Sadeque Hossain Khoka and Bangladesh Jatiya Party chairman Andaleeve Rahman Partha. Hefazat-e-Islam While some Hefzat activists vowed "revenge" after the killings, Hefazat amir Shah Ahmad Shafi appealed for calmHefazat denies burning Quran allegations http://www.clickittefaq.com/hefazat-denies-burning-quran-allegations/ 26 December 2016 Ittefaq Ittefaq 10 May 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20161226215050/http://www.clickittefaq.com/hefazat-denies-burning-quran-allegations/ 26 December 2016 dead and called a general strike all over Bangladesh on 12 May 2013. Others On 10 June 2013, human rights group Odhikar, published a fact finding report claiming 61 deaths,http://odhikar.org/assembly-of-hefazate-islam-bangladesh-and-human-rights-violations/ Assembly of Hefazate Islam Bangladesh and Human Rights Violations 10 June 2013 Odhikar 7 August 2014 but refused to provide any names of the victims report, citing security concerns for the families of the victims.Odhikar's Hefajat list under wraps http://archive.thedailystar.net/beta2/news/odhikars-hefajat-list-under-wraps/ The Daily Star 18 August 2013 21 May 2014 21 May 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140521111329/http://archive.thedailystar.net/beta2/news/odhikars-hefajat-list-under-wraps/ dead Odhikar Report on Hefajat Deaths: Questions aplenty http://news.priyo.com/2013/09/01/odhikar-report-hefajat-deaths-questions-aplenty-84549.html Priyo News 1 September 2013 21 May 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140521124207/http://news.priyo.com/2013/09/01/odhikar-report-hefajat-deaths-questions-aplenty-84549.html 21 May 2014 dead dmy-all The Ain O Shalish Kendro demanded impartial investigation "to deal with them (Hefazat-e-Islam) more strategically and responsibly."http://www.askbd.org/web/?p=2634 ASK Concern of Ongoing Political clashes and Violence Observed on 5 May 2013 Ain O Shalish Kendro 26 December 2016 International UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon voiced concern over the killing of unarmed protesters in Bangladesh and requested the government to sit with religious and political leaders. US ambassador, Dan Mozena, has cautioned that all groups and individuals have rights to protest. Lawsuits The government filed 12 cases against Hefazat-e Islam leaders for murder, vandalism, arson and destruction of properties and other charges.http://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2013/05/06/12-cases-against-hifazat-leaders 12 cases against Hifazat leaders 6 May 2013 bdnews24.com Hefazat denies the charges. On 27 June 2013, Martin F. McMahon & Associates, a US law firm representing two US-based organisations, Human Rights and Development for Bangladesh and Bangladeshi-Americans in Greater Washington DC,Case filed against Sheikh Hasina, 25 others in ICC http://www.english.rtnn.net/?/newsdetail/detail/1/1/54449 Real-time News Network https://web.archive.org/web/20130701082629/http://www.english.rtnn.net/?%2Fnewsdetail%2Fdetail%2F1%2F1%2F54449 1 July 2013 23 June 2015 dead filed cases in the International Criminal Court against 25 Bangladeshi ministers and security officials, including Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for alleged "torture, forced disappearance, extrajudicial executions and mass killings",Complaint filed at ICC against PM, 24 others http://www.thedailystar.net/beta2/news/complaint-filed-at-icc-against-pm-24-others/ The Daily Star 30 June 2013 19 July 2013 Ahmed Ziauddin, a Brussels based Bangladeshi lawyer who was accused of influencing the proceedings of Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal at the instruction of Bangladesh government,The trial of the birth of a nation https://www.economist.com/news/briefing/21568349-week-chairman-bangladeshs-international-crimes-tribunal-resigned-we-explain The Economist 15 December 2012 10 April 2013 stated- "I am not sure about the objective of it and I am sure those Washington-based organisations have some political motives. They may have been trying to create political hype since filing a complaint in the ICC does not mean proceedings of a case will start immediately"Complaint lodged at ICC accusing Hasina, 24 others http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2013/jun/29/complaint-lodged-icc-accusing-hasina-24-others Dhaka Tribune 29 June 2013 24 May 2014 On 10 August 2013, police raided the offices of Odhikar and arrested its general secretary, Adilur Rahman Khan. In a press briefing, police officials said they found the list of 61 deaths and released it to the media.A list riddled with holes http://archive.thedailystar.net/beta2/news/odhikar-list-is-full-of-riddles/ The Daily Star 1 September 2013 25 May 2014 25 May 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140525232254/http://archive.thedailystar.net/beta2/news/odhikar-list-is-full-of-riddles/ dead In a press statement, the US Department of State expressed deep concern over the arrest and demanded his immediate release.https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2013/08/213064.htm Detention of Bangladeshi Human Rights Activist Adilur Rahman Khan Marie Harf 12 August 2013 US Department of State 22 August 2013 Trial and legacy After the July Uprising in 2024, the International Crimes Tribunal set up a probe into the 2013 crackdown and massacre at Shapla Square.2024-08-18 Hasina sued in 2013 Shapla Chattar 'mass murder' case https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/355139/hasina-sued-in-2013-shapla-chattar-%E2%80%98mass-murder%E2%80%99 2024-08-18 Dhaka Tribune en 2024-08-20 Hasina, Shahriar Kabir, Imran H Sarker accused of 'genocide' at Shapla Chattar in 2013 https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/355427/hasina-shahriar-kabir-imran-h-sarker-accused-of 2024-08-20 Dhaka Tribune en The probed named the then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as the person who directly ordered the massacre.2026-04-05 2013 Shapla Chattar killings: Tribunal orders probe report within 2 months against Hasina, 20 others https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/court/2013-shapla-chattar-killings-ict-orders-probe-report-within-2-months-against-hasina 2026-04-24 The Business Standard en The charges also named Awami League General Secretary Obaidul Quader, former ministers Rashed Khan Menon and Hasan Mahmud, and former Dhaka South mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh, former advisers to the Prime Minister Salman F Rahman and Tarique Ahmed Siddique, former army chief Aziz Ahmed, and several media executives including Mozammel Haque Babu. In October 2025, the advisor for Local Government and Rural Development, Asif Mahmud provided financial assistance worth Taka 7.7 crore to the families of those killed during the massacre and the 2021 anti-Modi protests. He also announced plans to build a memorial at Shapla Square.Tk 7.7cr aid for Shapla, 2021 anti-Modi martyrs' families News https://www.bssnews.net/news/322650 2026-04-24 BSS See also 2013 Shahbag protests List of massacres in Bangladesh References 30em External links https://web.archive.org/web/20140530195640/http://1dgy051vgyxh41o8cj16kk7s19f2.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Fact-finding_Hefazate-Islam_English.pdf Full report by Odhikar Investigative report on Operation Shapla chattar (English sub titled) by Independent TV 23.7265 N 90.4217 E source:wikidata title collapsed Category:2013 Bangladesh violence Shapla Square protests Shapla Square protests Shapla Square protests Category:Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh Category:Police brutality in Bangladesh Category:Premiership of Sheikh Hasina Category:May 2013 in Bangladesh