Bangladesh has formally approached the United Nations human rights office to assist in investigating the killing of political activist Sharif Osman Hadi, as the interim government seeks an impartial probe.
Bangladesh has sought assistance from the United Nations human rights office to investigate the killing of political activist Sharif Osman Hadi, a key figure linked to the mass protests in 2024 that led to the fall of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
According to an interim government press release cited by AFP, Bangladesh’s mission in Geneva has sent a diplomatic note to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), seeking support for a “fair, impartial and expeditious” investigation. The note requests technical and institutional assistance from the UN body to aid the probe.
Hadi, a 32-year-old spokesperson of Inqilab Moncho, was shot in the head by unidentified masked assailants on a motorcycle in Dhaka’s Paltan area on December 12 while leaving a mosque. He was airlifted to Singapore for specialised treatment but died six days later, on December 18, at Singapore General Hospital.
State mourning and burial to ease tensions
After his body was repatriated from Singapore, the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus declared a one-day state mourning on December 20, 2025.
In an attempt to ease tensions, the government and Dhaka University granted permission for Hadi to be buried near the grave of national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam, close to the Dhaka University Central Mosque.
Hadi a prominent figure in July 2024 uprising
Hadi emerged as a prominent figure during the July 2024 uprising and was preparing to contest the Dhaka-8 constituency as an independent candidate in the February 2026 elections.
His political rhetoric was marked by strong anti-India messaging, including allegations of “Indian hegemony” and claims that New Delhi was sheltering the ousted prime minister, Sheikh Hasina.
Violence after his death
Hadi’s killing sparked violent protests in several parts of Bangladesh. Supporters attacked the offices of The Daily Star, Prothom Alo and New Age, accusing them of pro-India bias. Cultural and political sites were also targeted, including the vandalisation of the Chhayanaut cultural centre and the demolition of an Awami League office in Rajshahi.
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