DHAKA, March 5, 2025 (BSS) –
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHC) Volker Turk today emphasized the need for accountability in addressing human rights violations linked to the July-August 2024 protests in Bangladesh.
Presenting the fact-finding report in Geneva on human rights violations and abuses related to the protests of July and August 2024 in Bangladesh, Turk described this moment as a pivotal opportunity for Bangladesh to deal with its past and overcome its past to reach a moment of healing and truth telling and that includes each and everyone within the society of the country.
Whatever differences are there, Turk stressed that it is “one country and one citizenship,” and it is a unique opportunity for each and every citizen of Bangladesh.
The High Commissioner engaged in discussions with UN member states and civil society representatives, focusing on accountability, justice, and human rights reforms in Bangladesh.
The event was attended by members of the interim government and civil society representatives from Bangladesh.
Turk also referred to his initial conversation with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, who assured him that human rights would be central to the government’s reforms and transitional process.
“Of course this is hard work, no doubt about that. This is not easy,” he said.
Turk said it is fact that the interim government fully cooperated with them when they deployed their team very quickly at the request of the government.
“We will continue to find ways to keep the Human Rights Council informed,” he added.
Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul also attended the session in Geneva, expressed gratitude to the UNHC to conduct the most through and credible investigation over July-August atrocity in Bangladesh.
The adviser assured the interim government commitment for an impartial and credible investigation into the July-August massacre in Bangladesh and due judicial process.
“We like to reiterate that we would like to utilize the finding of the report as applicable in our ongoing national accountability process to ensure justice,” he said.
Dr Asif nazrul also assured Bangladesh’s constructive engagement with the human rights high commissioner’s office will not end with the report only rather the interim government is chalking out how it could better utilize the mandate of the high commissioner office in promoting human rights to all the citizens.
“We also appreciate the high commissioner office readiness to provide technical support and assistance to our ongoing reform initiative and national accountability process,” he added
Responding to a question, he said there have been some incidents of political violence against the “torturers, hooligans of the Awami League regime” who oppressed and tortured people for many years.
He said there were some incidents where people who were deeply involved with the AL regime were attacked. “We strongly condemned that.”
While sharing a global update at the 58th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva recently, Turk said, Bangladesh last year experienced a paroxysm of violence as the government of the time “brutally suppressed” a student movement that carried human rights as its torch.
