UN Rights Commission concerns over custodial death

Staff Reporter :
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk on Monday expressed deep concerns over the detention of thousands of opposition party leaders and activists and custodial death in Bangladesh.

He further stated that the Judiciary in Bangladesh is being misused to harass and silence the voices of the journalists and human rights workers.

The UN High Commissioner has also encouraged the government to conduct investigation into the alleged enforced disappearance and extrajudicial killings following the international standards.

“In Bangladesh, I am concerned that thousands of opposition party leaders and activists remain in detention, and that a number of deaths in custody have been reported since October,” Turk said during the 55th session of the Human Rights Council.

Condemning any form of political violence, he said, “I urge a swift review of all these cases, with a view to their release, to encourage political dialogue and reconciliation.”

He has also raised questions about the misuse of judiciary and stifling the dissent voices from the human rights defenders and journalists.

“I continue to be concerned by allegations that the justice system is being used to harass human rights advocates, journalists and civil society leaders,” he said.

Emphasising the need for independent investigation into alleged extrajudicial killings, he said, “I encourage investigation into alleged enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings, in line with international standards.”