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Thursday | November 12, 2026 | Dhaka

UN calls for political freedom for all in BD

 Staff Reporter
 Published: 12:05 AM, 12 November 2026

The United Nations has said all political parties and political figures in Bangladesh should be allowed to participate freely in political activities, while reiterating the need for accountability for crimes committed in the country.

“Certainly, regarding political activity, we believe that all political parties and all political personalities should be free to participate,” Farhan Haq, deputy spokesperson for the UN secretary-general, told reporters at a regular briefing in New York on Tuesday.

He was responding to a question about the UN’s position on political activities by supporters of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who the journalist alleged were attempting to destabilise Bangladesh again.

Haq said the UN also insisted on accountability for crimes committed in Bangladesh, including those documented by its fact-finding mission.

His remarks came amid a spate of arson and crude bomb attacks across the country. At least 22 vehicles were set on fire in 30 hours, while crude bombs exploded at 28 locations in Dhaka and six other districts.

Meanwhile, Hasina’s legal team has sought a passport and national identity card for the former prime minister.

In a letter sent to the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi, London-based law firm Matrix Chambers urged the mission to process her application expeditiously, citing her Bangladeshi nationality and the country’s obligations under international human rights instruments, according to a letter seen by The Associated Press.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir said on Monday that Bangladesh does not issue passports to “convicted and fled terrorists”.

Asked about the matter in New Delhi on Tuesday, Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said a travel document was necessary for people to travel, but described the matter as technical.

“Obviously for travel of people, you need a travel document. That is what I understand. But again, this is a technical matter, and I’ll come back to you,” he told reporters.