Staff Reporter :
The spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, Stéphane Dujarric, has emphasised that all perpetrators involved in recent acts of violence in Bangladesh must be held accountable.
This statement was made during a regular press briefing at the UN Secretary-General’s spokesperson’s office on Wednesday, in response to a journalist’s query.
The journalist referred to an incident on Monday afternoon, where the offices of the newspaper, Bangladesh Pratidin, and other newspapers under the East West Media Group were attacked and vandalised.
The journalist pointed out that the perpetrators had not yet been arrested, leaving media professionals feeling insecure. The journalist then asked if the UN Secretary-General had any comments or statements regarding the situation.
In response, Dujarric stated, “The safety and well-being of journalists anywhere in the world is of critical importance, particularly in countries undergoing transition.”
He continued, “It is important that journalists be allowed to do their work, and that those who commit violence against journalists be held to account.”
When asked about the possibility of a UN investigation team travelling to Bangladesh, the spokesperson replied, “I would ask you to direct that question to our human rights colleagues, who are leading on this matter.
However, it is clear that all perpetrators of acts of violence will need to be held accountable.”
The UN is increasingly becoming involved in investigating human rights violations in Bangladesh, including incidents of violence during student and public protests.
As part of the UN’s fact-finding mission, an initial technical team arrived in Bangladesh on Thursday.
On Wednesday afternoon, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen informed reporters at his office that the UN’s technical team is expected to remain in Bangladesh until 28 August.
The visit may be extended if necessary, with discussions planned on how Bangladesh can cooperate with the upcoming investigation.
During the same briefing, Stéphane Dujarric also provided updates on the deteriorating situation in Myanmar, where conflict is widespread in Northern Shan, the Mandalay region, and Rakhine State, leading to significant displacement.
“Reports that we are receiving show intensifying hostilities in Rakhine have caused casualties and new displacement, notably in Maungdaw Township, on the border with Bangladesh,” Dujarric stated.
He further reported that on 5 August, an estimated 20,000 people were displaced from three downtown Maungdaw wards, with some being forced to cross into Bangladesh.
In Northern Shan, there has been a resurgence of fighting since late June, resulting in an estimated 33,000 people being displaced from four townships. Dujarric also mentioned reports of civilian casualties and the destruction of homes and other structures.
Regarding the human rights situation, Dujarric highlighted that torrential monsoon rains since the end of June have exacerbated the already dire humanitarian conditions.
“Despite the challenges, some 2.1 million people across Myanmar were reached by UN and other humanitarian partners during the first half of this year,” he added.