Staff Reporter :
The international community, including the United Nations and the British Parliament, has expressed strong concern over the violence and clashes resulting from the quota reform movement, exerting significant global pressure on Bangladesh.
Many global bodies are calling for fair and independent probes into the violence and the publication of findings to clarify what occurred.
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk on Thursday called on the Bangladesh government to urgently disclose full details about last week’s crackdown on protests amid growing accounts of horrific violence, and to ensure all law enforcement operations abide by international human rights norms and standards.
UK Labour Party parliamentarian Rupa Huq, who is of Bangladeshi origin, raised a question about the volatile situation in the UK parliament. She said, “A three-figure number of students, protesters killed. We don’t know how many because they have turned the internet off.
I wonder if I can press again, can we have an urgent government statement on our (UK government’s) position on this? We have a historic unique role in this situation.”
In reply, Lucy Powell, spokesperson for the government in the parliament, said that Rupa has raised an important point. She expressed deep concern about the recent violence and stated that the loss of life is unacceptable. “All possible steps would be taken,” Powell said.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said, “We understand that many people were subjected to violent attacks by groups reportedly affiliated with the government, and no effort was made to protect them.”
“In order to begin to rebuild gravely-damaged public trust and create an environment conducive to public dialogue on the underlying concerns that led to this wave of violence, I urge the government to ensure that all operations of law enforcement agencies are conducted strictly in line with international human rights norms and standards, particularly regarding the policing of protests, including the use of force,” Volker Turk said.
Türk called on the government to restore full internet access to allow all people, including journalists and media outlets, to communicate freely and in line with international law. He added that the government must provide details of those killed, injured, or detained for the benefit of their families.
“Blunt measures such as a blanket deliberate internet shutdown for a prolonged period contravene international law, affecting States’ obligations to respect freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly, as well as a wide range of other rights, including freedom of association and of movement, the rights to health and education, and a number of economic rights,” the High Commissioner said.
“Internet shutdowns can also reduce public scrutiny and knowledge of the conduct of law enforcement agencies, and so risk heightening impunity for their actions.”
The High Commissioner called for an impartial, independent, and transparent investigation into all alleged human rights violations, offering his Office’s support in this regard.
He urged authorities to provide guarantees of non-recurrence and assurance there would be no reprisals against those involved in the protests.
In the longer term, he added, comprehensive security sector reform would be important to prevent future abuses and safeguard the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association.
Türk expressed hope that the Supreme Court’s decision on Sunday to substantially narrow the quota system for government jobs-which had set off last week’s protests-may open space for confidence-building, leading to meaningful and inclusive dialogue to address underlying issues and grievances.
He appealed to all political actors to avoid any statements or actions that could constitute incitement to violence or lead to a further crackdown on dissent.
Earlier, the United Nations and Amnesty International also criticised the government for allowing law enforcers to unlawfully use lethal and less-lethal weapons against protesters.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Dr. Hasan Mahmud stated in a discussion meeting at the Jatiya Press Club that all incidents of attacks would be brought to trial, but the real students would not be harassed.
Protesting students are demanding a thorough investigation into all the incidents involving the killing of students.