UN urges BD govt to allow peaceful assembly, freedom of expression

Staff Reporter  :
In the wake of recent surge in political violence, the United Nations has called upon Bangladeshi authorities to abide by the human rights obligations and allow people to exercise their right to assembly and right to freedom of expression ahead of election.

Raising a strong voice, it has urged all political parties, their supporters and the law enforcers in Bangladesh to ensure a peaceful, inclusive, and safe environment ahead of the general election scheduled for January next year.

“As Bangladesh gears up for a general election in January next year, we urge all political parties, their supporters and the security forces to ensure a peaceful, inclusive and safe environment enabling a free and fair ballot,” said United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Jeremy Laurence, in a statement on Friday.

Commenting on the violence in Bangladesh’s political landscape, the spokesperson said, “In recent months, recurring violence has erupted at a number of opposition rallies, where police have used rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannons.

Police, alongside men in plain clothing, have been seen using hammers, sticks, bats and iron rods, among other objects, to beat protesters.”

“Many opposition supporters – as well as some police – have been injured. Senior opposition leaders have been beaten in broad daylight, and their homes raided by people claiming to be law enforcement personnel.

Hundreds of opposition leaders and supporters have been arrested before and during the rallies,” Jeremy said.

Reminding the Bangladeshi authorities about human rights obligations, the spokesperson said, “Authorities must abide by their human rights obligations and allow people to exercise their rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of opinion and expression, and to act diligently to protect against attempts by third parties to suppress or limit exercise of those rights.”

The United Nations has also called upon the police administration not resort to excessive force against the people.

“We urge the police to ensure that force is only used when strictly necessary and, if so, in full compliance with the principles of legality restraint and proportionality. Excessive use of force must be promptly investigated, and those responsible held to account,” Jeremy said.

“We also call on the authorities to ensure all those canvassing ahead of next year’s ballot are assured a safe and peaceful environment that respects and promotes political plurality and the expression of diverse views, in full respect for fundamental rights and freedoms,” the spokesperson said.

In the recent time, the international community including the UN, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, European Union and several other countries including the US are talking about the free and fair election and urging the political parties to settle the political standoff.

The government is making its commitment that they would hold a free and fair election, but the international community is repeatedly stating that the commitment of the incumbent government does not match with the act of violence during the opposition’s peaceful rallies across the country including the capital