Staff Reporter :
The United Nations has called on security forces to ensure that no one engaging in peaceful protest is harmed. The organization has also expressed its support for the interim government led by Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus, who took office on August 8.
In response to a question about the renewed protests and violence in Bangladesh, particularly by student protesters commemorating the death of Bangladesh’s independence leader, the father of the recently deposed Prime Minister, Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, said, “Our comment is essentially the same as what we’ve been saying for the previous protests — that we encourage the right to peaceful protest to be respected by all. And we call on security forces to ensure that no one engaging in peaceful protest is harmed.”
When asked if the Secretary-General would engage more with Bangladesh to support the country’s stability, Haq responded, “I can certainly confirm that we remain willing to support the Government and people of Bangladesh as needed.”
Inquiries about the Secretary-General’s view on the UN fact-finding mission set to visit Bangladesh next week to investigate atrocities and killings resulting from the former dictator Sheikh Hasina’s shoot-on-sight order earlier this month were met with, “We’ll have to see what the work of the group is. At this stage, I don’t have any comment on them.”
Haq later told reporters that the High Commissioner and Muhammad Yunus discussed a comprehensive range of support the UN Office could provide to the Interim Government and the transition, including on accountability issues. A team will visit Dhaka next week to discuss areas of support and the modalities for an investigation of human rights violations in the context of the recent violence and unrest. The High Commissioner is very committed
to supporting the Interim Government and people of Bangladesh in a successful transition that strengthens the protection of human rights, he added.
More than 600 people killed in student protest: UNHR preliminary report Unnecessary and disproportionate use of force and extrajudicial killings 12 recommendations for the Interim Government to ensure accountability for human rights violations.
