UN team calls for info on rights abuses during July-August protests in Bangladesh

A United Nations Human Rights Office fact-finding team, which is conducting an independent and impartial investigation into alleged human rights violations that took place in Bangladesh between July 1 and August 15 this year arising from the recent protests, has sought first-hand information from all concerned.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights took the move at the invitation of the Professor Muhammad Yunus-led interim government formed on August 8 after the fall of the autocratic regime of Sheikh Hasina amid the student-led mass uprising on August 5.

‘Individuals, groups, and organisations are invited to provide first-hand information that is not already on social media or otherwise in the public domain concerning the period of July 1 to August 15, 2024 and human rights violations and abuses in the context of the protests during that period,’ said a press release issued by the Office Of the UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh on Monday.

Submissions should be sent to [email protected], it added.

The fact-finding team is mandated to establish facts, identify responsibilities, analyze root causes and make concrete recommendations for Bangladesh to address past human rights violations and prevent their recurrence.

The team also plans to conduct interviews with victims, law enforcement officers, medical practitioners, and witnesses, according to the release.

It said that the fact-finding was not a criminal investigation and was conducted independently of any national criminal justice process.

‘The fact-finding process is strictly confidential. The team will not be conducting any media interviews during the investigation phase. We appeal for respect for the confidentiality of the fact-finding process,’ it said about the terms of reference of the UN body.

After its on-site examination and data analysis, the UN Human Rights Office would publish a detailed human rights report containing key findings, conclusions, and recommendations, the release mentioned.

 

News Courtesy:

https://www.newagebd.net/post/foreign-affairs/245418/un-team-calls-for-info-on-rights-abuses-during-july-august-protests-in-bangladesh