[🇧🇩] Human Rights in Bangladesh

[Saif]

Chief adviser reaffirms commitment to upholding human rights

Chief Adviser Professor Yunus on Tuesday reaffirmed his government's commitment to upholding the human rights of every citizen of the country irrespective of their colour, creed, race, sex and gender. The attacks on the minorities, notably Hindus, following the changeover in August last year were

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Chief adviser reaffirms commitment to upholding human rights
BSS
Published :
Mar 18, 2025 20:19
Updated :
Mar 18, 2025 20:26

Chief Adviser Professor Yunus on Tuesday reaffirmed his government's commitment to upholding the human rights of every citizen of the country irrespective of their colour, creed, race, sex and gender.

The attacks on the minorities, notably Hindus, following the changeover in August last year were politically, not religiously motivated, but the interim government has taken prompt actions against the culprits, he said.

The chief adviser came up with the statement when US Senator Gary Peters called on him at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka.

Professor Yunus has urged the US senator to visit cities and towns across Bangladesh and invited other US political leaders, journalists, and activists to tour the country to know the actual information on religious harmony, said a spokesperson of the CA Office.

During the hour-long meeting, the two leaders discussed issues of mutual interest and ways to deepen relationships between the two friendly countries.

Senator Peters enquired about the reform initiatives of the Interim Government, the reports of key commissions and the interim government's plan to hold free and fair elections.

The chief adviser said the government would hold elections in December if the political parties agreed to fewer reforms. But the general elections would be held a few months later if the parties wanted a bigger package of reforms from the interim government.

"The election will be free and fair. It will be held in a festive mood. There will be big celebrations on the election day, like the ones we have seen in the past," the chief adviser said.

Professor Yunus said the political parties would sign a July Charter once they agreed to the reforms proposed by the major commissions. "The July Charter will set the future course of the country," he said.

Peters appreciated the reform agenda of the government, saying the US was looking forward to a smooth democratic transition in Bangladesh.

Senator Peters said many Bangladeshi-origin people reside in his constituency in Michigan, including the city of Detroit. Some of them have expressed concern over the attacks on the minorities in recent months, he added.

He said there have also been massive amounts of misinformation over the minority attacks. Some of this misinformation has permeated into the US, raising concerns among minority groups, he said.

"We need your help. Please tell your friends to travel to Bangladesh. This way we can combat these misinformation campaigns," he said.

The two leaders also discussed social businesses, a world without poverty and microcredit as a tool to fight poverty both in the US and the rest of the world.​

 

[Saif]

https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/national/us-appreciates-bangladeshs-measures-to-ensure-safety-security-for-all

US appreciates Bangladesh’s measures to ensure safety, security for all
Published :
Mar 20, 2025 14:34
Updated :
Mar 20, 2025 14:34

The United States (US) has welcomed measures taken by Bangladesh’s interim government to ensure safety and security for all in Bangladesh, noting that they “condemn” any instances of violence or intolerance directed toward members of minority communities in any country.

“That’s what we’re watching. That’s what we expect. And that will be what continues,” said US State Department’s Spokesperson Tammy Bruce while responding to a question at a regular media briefing in Washington on March 19 when a questioner referred to US intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard’s recent remarks, UNB reports.

Reacting to remarks made by Tulsi Gabbard, the interim government on Monday said groundlessly linking Bangladesh to the idea of an "Islamist caliphate” undermines the hard work of countless Bangladeshis and their friends and partners around the world who are committed to peace, stability and progress.

In a statement shared by the Chief Adviser’s press wing, the government said Bangladesh strongly condemns any efforts to link the country to any form of “Islamist caliphate”.

The government noted with deep concern and distress the remarks made by Tulsi Gabbard, in which she alleged “persecution and killing” of religious minorities in Bangladesh and that “the threat of Islamic terrorists” in the country is “rooted” in the “ideology and objective” to “rule and govern with an Islamist caliphate."

This statement, the interim government said, is both misleading and damaging to the image and reputation of Bangladesh, a nation whose traditional practice of Islam has been famously inclusive and peaceful and that has made remarkable strides in its fight against extremism and terrorism.

"Gabbard's comments are not based on any evidence or specific allegations. They paint an entire nation with a broad and unjustified brush," said the government in its statement.

Bangladesh, like many countries around the world, has faced challenges of extremism, but it has continuously worked in partnership with the international community, including the US, to address these issues through law enforcement, social reforms, and other counterterrorism efforts, the government said.​

 

[Saif]

UN to open rights office in Dhaka soon: resident coordinator

United Nations resident coordinator in Bangladesh Gwyn Lewis on Wednesday said that the UN would soon open its human rights office in Bangladesh as the process was already finalised...

www.newagebd.net

UN to open rights office in Dhaka soon: resident coordinator
Staff Correspondent 04 June, 2025, 16:56

United Nations resident coordinator in Bangladesh Gwyn Lewis on Wednesday said that the UN would soon open its human rights office in Bangladesh as the process was already finalised.

‘We have finalised the process to formally open a small office of the human rights council in Bangladesh,’ said the UN resident coordinator at a dialogue with the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh at the National Press Club in Dhaka.

Responding to a question about the much-talked-about UN proposal for allowing a humanitarian corridor to the conflict-ridden Rakhine state of Myanmar through Bangladesh, she said that it was a legal issue requiring an agreement among all parties involved. The Bangladesh government and Myanmar government along with other parties concerned here will have to agree on providing the humanitarian corridor to Rakhine first.

The UN could support only all parties concerned reached a legal agreement in this regard, Gwyn Lewis said and added that there was no such humanitarian corridor to Rakhine at present.

About the UN’s position on the next elections, she said they were extending technical support for free, fair and credible polls and also for transitional justice and reforms in various sectors.

She said that the people and political parties in the country would decide when the election would be held.Political party merchandise

Responding to a question relating to the ban on Awami League activities and inclusive elections, she said that the election could be inclusive if people from all segments of the society could cast their votes freely.

She said that people’s participation was the key determinant of inclusivity of an election.

She, however, said that the participation and inclusion of all political parties would help prevent a ‘potentially polarised situation’.

Regarding the Rohingya crisis since Bangladesh was hosting around 1.3 displaced people from Myanmar for around eight years, the UN official said that they were trying to find a political solution to the crisis for a safe, dignified and voluntary repatriation to their homeland.

DCAB president AKM Moinuddin and general secretary Md Arifuzzaman Mamun also spoke at the event titled ‘DCAB Talk’.

The interim government earlier agreed with the UN on the establishment of the UN human rights office in Dhaka for further investigations into human rights violations during the student-led mass uprising that forced the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League regime on August 5, 2024.

The UN fact-finding mission in its report published on February 12 said that the Sheikh Hasina regime and security and intelligence services, alongside violent elements associated with the Awami League, systematically engaged in a range of serious human rights violations during the student-led protests.

During his visit in October 2024, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk in a meeting with chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus in Dhaka expressed his willingness to strengthen their presence in Bangladesh.Political party merchandise

After a similar meeting with Volker Turk, social welfare adviser Sharmeen S Murshid said on October 29, 2024 that an office of the UN Human Rights Commissioner would be established in Dhaka soon.

She said that the interim government agreed on it.

Asked for comment about the mandate and implication of the UN rights office, former foreign secretary and the president of the Bangladesh Enterprise Institute, M Humayun Kabir, said that such UN offices usually work to prevent the recurrence of rights abuses as happened here during the July uprising.

Established in 2006, the Human Rights Council is responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe.

UN Human Rights’ 18 country or stand-alone offices include 16 country offices in Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Chad, Colombia, Guatemala, Guinea, Honduras, Liberia, Mauritania, Mexico, Niger, the State of Palestine, the Syrian Arab Republic (based in Beirut), Sudan, Tunisia, and Yemen; one field-based structure in Seoul that covers the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine.

In establishing country offices and stand-alone offices, UN Human Rights negotiates with the host government a full mandate that includes human rights protection and promotion.

A mandate typically includes human rights monitoring and analysis, protection, interaction with and the provision of technical assistance to the host government, national authorities, civil society, victims and other relevant counterparts through targeted technical cooperation activities, capacity-building and public reporting, according to the UN rights office.​

 

[Saif]

UN human rights body to set up office in Bangladesh for three years

The interim government on Sunday approved a draft memorandum of understanding in principle regarding establishing an office of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in the country to strengthen cooperation in dealing with human rights issues...

www.newagebd.net

UN human rights body to set up office in Bangladesh for three years
Staff Correspondent 29 June, 2025, 18:29

Chief adviser’s press secretary Shafiqul Alam and law affairs adviser Asif Nazrul talk to reporters at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka on Sunday. | UNB photo

The interim government on Sunday approved a draft memorandum of understanding in principle regarding establishing an office of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in the country to strengthen cooperation in dealing with human rights issues.

The council of advisors of the interim government at a meeting, chaired by chief adviser Muhammad Yunus, approved the draft of the MoU in principle regarding setting up an office of the OHCHR, said law adviser Asif Nazrul at a briefing at the Foreign Service Academy.

Noting that the OHCHR submitted a very important report on the genocide and crimes against humanity committed during the July uprising, he said ‘Our government has been in discussion with them for long. There has been significant progress in the discussions.’

He said that the advisers would further examine the draft and the final text of the draft would be sent to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk.

Once they (UN side) agreed, he said, they hoped to sign the MoU soon as possible and based on the signed MoU, an office would be established in Bangladesh, primarily for three years.

He said that if the two sides thought renewal was necessary, renewal of the MoU could be considered.

‘If in the future, and even if during our government’s tenure, serious human rights violations occur, we hope that the state’s human rights agencies as well as the local office of the OHCHR will be able to play an important role,’ he said.

A milestone was the interim government’s invitation to the OHCHR for an independent fact-finding mission following the July unrest, he mentioned.

The UN Fact-Finding Mission last year submitted a report on the human rights violations highlighting the events of July and August last year.

The report said that about 1,400 people were killed during the July uprising and in the aftermath.

The interim government earlier agreed with the UN on establishing the UN human rights office in Dhaka for further investigations into human rights violations during the student-led mass uprising that overthrew the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League regime on August 5, 2024.

The UN fact-finding mission in its report published on February 12 this year said that the Hasina regime and security and intelligence services, alongside violent elements associated with Awami League, systematically engaged in a range of serious human rights violations during the student-led protests.

During his visit to Dhaka in October 2024, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, in a meeting with chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, expressed his willingness to strengthen their presence in Bangladesh.

Established in 2006, the Human Rights Council is responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe.

UN Human Rights’ 18 country or stand-alone offices include 16 country offices in Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Chad, Colombia, Guatemala, Guinea, Honduras, Liberia, Mauritania, Mexico, Niger, the State of Palestine, the Syrian Arab Republic (based in Beirut), Sudan, Tunisia, and Yemen; one field-based structure in Seoul that covers the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, according to the OHCHR.

In establishing country offices and stand-alone offices, UN Human Rights negotiates with the host government a full mandate that includes human rights protection and promotion.

A mandate typically includes human rights monitoring and analysis, protection, interaction with and the provision of technical assistance to the host government, national authorities, civil society, victims and other relevant counterparts through targeted technical cooperation activities, capacity-building and public reporting, according to the UN rights office.​

 

[Saif]

OHCHR office in Dhaka under draft discussion: Touhid

The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is set to establish a mission branch in Bangladesh, which is currently under draft discussion, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said. “It is still at the draft stage,” he told reporters at the foreign

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OHCHR office in Dhaka under draft discussion: Touhid

BSS
Published :
Jul 03, 2025 21:38
Updated :
Jul 03, 2025 21:38

The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is set to establish a mission branch in Bangladesh, which is currently under draft discussion, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said.

“It is still at the draft stage,” he told reporters at the foreign ministry here this afternoon when asked under what conditions the OHCHR office would be established in Dhaka.

Hossain added, “Once the draft exchange is complete and we reach a final agreed draft where not even a word needs to be changed, we will sign it. At that point, we will be able to share the details with you. Until then, it is better not to discuss it while it remains in draft form.”

The adviser informed that Bangladesh and OHCHR have exchanged the draft with revisions four times, and the draft is currently under review at the OHCHR end following the latest changes made by Dhaka.

Hossain noted that Bangladesh and OHCHR have, in principle, agreed to establish the office in Dhaka for three years, with a review scheduled after two years.

The plan to open an OHCHR mission branch in Bangladesh recently received policy-level approval at a meeting of the Advisory Council.

Meanwhile, responding to a question on the proposed name for the next UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh, Hossain said, “We will need to provide the agrément (official consent). We have not yet processed the agrément. Let the process proceed, and then we will respond.”

Currently, Gwen Lewis serves as the UN Resident Coordinator in Dhaka.​

 

[Saif]

Where is the rule of law?

HRSS report paints a grim picture of human rights violations

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Where is the rule of law?
HRSS report paints a grim picture of human rights violations

VISUAL: STAR

The latest half-yearly report by the Human Rights Support Society (HRSS) reveals a worrying trend in rights violations during the first half of the year. The rights group has reported an alarming rise in incidents of violence against women and children, including rape, as well as political killings, mob lynchings, assaults on journalists, custodial deaths, and attacks targeting minorities and religious shrines. In addition to these abuses, the report also highlights a sharp increase in crimes such as extortion, theft, snatching, robbery, and murder. Such persistent violations have shaken people's trust in law enforcement in post-uprising Bangladesh, where many had hoped the rule of law would be firmly upheld.

In the first half of the year, at least 1,042 women and girls were reportedly subjected to sexual violence, with an alarming 60 percent of victims being minors. Of the 476 documented rape cases, 292 involved minors. The persistence of these incidents—including the recent rapes in Cumilla and Bhola, the brutal rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Magura, and the death of a six-year-old in Munshiganj after a rape attempt—highlights deeper, systemic failures.

The sharp rise in mob violence during this time has also exposed a troubling state of the country's law-and-order situation. According to the report, 141 incidents across Bangladesh led to 67 deaths and 119 injuries. Data from Ain o Salish Kendra reveals that 179 individuals have been killed by mob attacks between August 2024 and June 23 this year. While these figures are deeply alarming, what is equally disturbing is the lack of proper response and accountability from law enforcement agencies.

During the first half of the year, at least 529 incidents of political violence were also reported, leaving 79 dead and over 4,100 injured. The HRSS also documented an alarming rise in custodial deaths and enforced disappearances—40 deaths in jail custody and 14 in law enforcement-related incidents. Journalists also faced mounting threats during this period, with 257 subjected to harassment or assault in 152 incidents. Additionally, legal action was taken against 92 journalists under the Cyber Security Act.

This situation must be reversed. We urge the government to ensure the rule of law across the country. Impunity for violence against women, child abuse, and increasing rape incidents must end, and swift action is needed to curb mob violence. However, restoring justice is not the government's responsibility alone. Political parties and civil society must also step up, as reversing the current trend requires a combined effort. The fundamental and constitutional rights of citizens must be protected through effective control of the law-and-order situation.​

 

[Saif]

Advisers' council approves draft MoU to establish UN Human Rights office in Dhaka

The Council of Advisers on Thursday approved the final draft of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for establishing a mission of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Bangladesh. The draft has been sent to the OHCHR headquarters in Geneva for approval. If accepted, a UN

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Advisers' council approves draft MoU to establish UN Human Rights office in Dhaka

FE ONLINE REPORT
Published :
Jul 10, 2025 18:08
Updated :
Jul 10, 2025 19:16

The Council of Advisers on Thursday approved the final draft of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for establishing a mission of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Bangladesh.

The draft has been sent to the OHCHR headquarters in Geneva for approval. If accepted, a UN Human Rights mission will be set up in Dhaka for an initial period of three years.

The decision came during a meeting of the Council of Advisers held at the Chief Adviser’s Office in Tejgaon, with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus presiding.

The establishment of the OHCHR mission marks a significant move by the interim government to reinforce its commitment to transparency, human rights protection, and international cooperation following the country’s political transition, officials said.

In addition to the OHCHR MoU, the Council approved two ordinances and two other key proposals. These include the ‘National Sports Council (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025’, aimed at modernising sports governance in Bangladesh, and the ‘Moheshkhali Integrated Development Authority Ordinance, 2025’, which seeks to streamline development initiatives in the coastal island region.

Another notable decision from the meeting was the approval of a proposal to open a new Consulate General of Bangladesh in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. The consulate is expected to serve the growing Bangladeshi diaspora in southern Malaysia and strengthen bilateral ties.

The Council also approved a proposal for Bangladesh to accede to the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OP-CAT), a step seen as a reaffirmation of the country’s pledge to combat torture and uphold international human rights standards.

Meanwhile, the meeting also addressed the ongoing flood and waterlogging crisis in Feni and Noakhali districts due to recent heavy rains. Advisers from the relevant ministries briefed the Council on emergency measures, including dam repair, riverbank protection, and infrastructure rehabilitation—partly funded by the World Bank.

Discussions were also held on finalising the designs for the Musapur Regulator and Bamni Closure, constructing permanent dams in Feni, and clearing drainage canals in Noakhali to prevent future disasters.

The Council reaffirmed the government’s resolve to respond effectively to the crisis and expedite long-term climate resilience projects in vulnerable regions.​

 

[Saif]

‘No proof of communal violence’ Police reject minority groups’ claims

The interim government yesterday said it found no evidence to support the recent allegations, made by two minority organisations, of communal violence.

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‘No proof of communal violence’ Police reject minority groups’ claims

The interim government yesterday said it found no evidence to support the recent allegations, made by two minority organisations, of communal violence.

Citing a statement by the Bangladesh Police, the chief adviser's press wing in a statement said, "Bangladesh Police are investigating each reported incident with utmost diligence and seriousness, following the facts wherever they lead.

"So far, no evidence of communal violence has been found; only individual acts of aggression. Rest assured, the police remain committed to safeguarding the safety and security of all citizens, institutions, and religious establishments in Bangladesh."

On July 10, the Bangladesh Hindu Bouddha Christian Oikya Parishad (Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council) and the Minority Unity Alliance at a press conference said 27 individuals were killed in communal attacks between January and June this year. They also claimed that 2,442 incidents of communal violence occurred over the past 11 months.

According to the CA press wing, police reviewed all 27 reported deaths -- 22 were registered as murder cases, and five were classified as unnatural deaths. None, police said, were linked to communal motives.

As part of the investigations, 48 individuals were arrested, 15 surrendered, and 18 gave confessional statements under section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

The government reiterated that none of the deaths were driven by communal motives.

The July 10 press conference also cited 20 incidents of sexual violence, including gang rapes. Police registered cases in 16 of them and arrested 25 individuals. No formal complaints were lodged in the remaining three, the press wing's statement said.

The two organisations further claimed that the majority of incidents occurred during a two-week period from August 4 to August 20, 2024, reporting 2,010 incidents, including 1,769 attacks and assaults on minorities.

In response, police said they have verified 1,457 of these incidents across 56 districts.

Other allegations included 60 incidents of theft, vandalism, and arson at temples, as well as land grabbing and attempted evictions of minority community members.

The organisations further claimed that the majority of the violence occurred between August 4 and 20, 2024, citing a total of 2,010 incidents -- including 1,769 communal attacks and assaults.

According to police, 1,457 of these incidents were verified across 56 districts.

Of the 1,769 incidents, 62 cases were formally filed, while 951 were recorded as general diaries, meaning complaints were officially documented but no formal criminal case had been filed.

Police reported that 35 individuals were arrested in connection with these cases.

Investigations revealed that 1,452 incidents (82.8 percent) took place on August 5, 2024, with 1,234 linked to political disputes. A total of 161 incidents could not be substantiated.

Between August 5, 2024, and January 2, 2025, there were 127 reported incidents involving puja mandaps. Of these, 66 cases were filed and 61 logged as GDs, resulting in the arrest of 64 suspects.

Further allegations included 60 incidents of theft, vandalism, and arson at temples, as well as land grabbing and attempted evictions of minority community members.

The Oikya Parishad stated it would release more information on additional incidents. Once those details are received, police will examine them and provide updates, the press wing said.

Responding to the press wing's statement, Manindra Kumar Nath, acting general secretary of the parishad, told The Daily Star, "We gathered information through newspapers and our local representatives. We consider these incidents to be communal attacks."​

 

[Saif]

UN human rights mission to launch in Bangladesh, MoU signed

The United Nations Human Rights Council is set to launch a mission in Bangladesh for three years. The two sides have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to this end. Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam signed the MoU on behalf of Bangladesh, while UN High Commissioner for Human Rights...

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UN human rights mission to launch in Bangladesh, MoU signed
Diplomatic Correspondent Dhaka
Updated: 18 Jul 2025, 16: 48

The United Nations Human Rights Council is set to launch a mission in Bangladesh for a three-year period. The two sides have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to this end.

Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam signed the MoU on behalf of Bangladesh, while UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk signed on behalf of the United Nations.

According to a statement issued today, Friday, from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights’ office in Geneva, the MoU was signed earlier this week with the aim of promoting and protecting human rights in Bangladesh over a three-year period.

The statement notes that the UN’s engagement with Bangladesh has significantly increased since August of last year.

It further said, the Human Rights Council has been working with various stakeholders to advance reforms and conduct coordinated fact-finding missions, particularly concerning the violence during the recent mass uprising.

Volker Türk stated that this MoU sends a strong signal about the importance of safeguarding interim human rights protections in Bangladesh.

It will enable my office to better support the implementation of our fact-finding recommendations and help facilitate direct engagement and experience-sharing with the government, civil society, and experts, he added.

The new mission will provide training and technical assistance to government agencies to help fulfill national and international human rights commitments.

It will also work to enhance the capacity of both government institutions and civil society representatives.​

 

[Saif]

A UN rights office can make law enforcers accountable

Signing of three-year MoU paves the way for UNHRO to open a mission in Bangladesh

www.thedailystar.net

A UN rights office can make law enforcers accountable
Signing of three-year MoU paves the way for UNHRO to open a mission in Bangladesh

VISUAL: STAR

The interim government's decision to host a mission of the UN Human Rights Office in Bangladesh to promote and protect human rights is a positive step. The decision, one may recall, follows a UN fact-finding mission (OHCHR) investigation conducted not long after the July-August uprising, which documented widespread abuses by state forces under the Awami League regime. Generally, OHCHR country offices are invited by national governments during periods of significant transition, vulnerability, or post-conflict reform.

In Bangladesh, however, its opening with the signing of a three-year MoU between Bangladesh and UN officials has been preceded by protests from certain religious groups. The government has also acknowledged their concerns, particularly about the perceived ideological orientation of UN human rights bodies, and sought to address them through a press statement. In that, it stated that the OHCHR mission will "focus on addressing and preventing serious human rights abuses, such as those perpetrated by the previous government, and ensuring accountability for violations," adding that it will not serve to promote any social agenda that falls outside the country's established legal, social and cultural framework. Bangladesh also retains the sovereign authority to withdraw from the agreement should it "determine that the partnership no longer aligns with national interests," the statement says.

The OHCHR, following its fact-finding mission, made some important recommendations which its office in Dhaka can help implement. Among other things, it called for independent investigations and prosecutions for killings, torture, enforced disappearances, sexual violence, and gender-based violence. Under the police and security sector reforms, it called for reducing use of lethal force, banning certain types of ammunition, reforming police training, establishing an independent police oversight commission, disbanding RAB, etc.

That said, Bangladesh's horrific track record of human rights violations demands that such an international, independent body be set up to act as a watchdog over the government and state machinery in their treatment of citizens. The Sheikh Hasina regime is an example of how a government can abuse its power by using various institutions and agencies to clamp down on citizens whenever it wants to, without facing consequences. Enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, torture, and gender-based violence were some of the persistent human rights abuses of the AL regime. During the July-August crackdown, the state's use of excessive force resulted in over 1,400 deaths.

The OHCHR, following its fact-finding mission, made some important recommendations which its office in Dhaka can help implement. Among other things, it called for independent investigations and prosecutions for killings, torture, enforced disappearances, sexual violence, and gender-based violence. Under the police and security sector reforms, it called for reducing use of lethal force, banning certain types of ammunition, reforming police training, establishing an independent police oversight commission, disbanding RAB, etc. Other recommendations include ending unlawful surveillance of journalists, activists, and political opponents, and holding independent inquiries into surveillance practices.

Going forward, we also hope that the UN rights office can help raise the bar for local watchdogs like the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), which currently has no binding or enforcement powers and cannot compel government agencies or law enforcement to take specific actions. The NHRC cannot even independently investigate abuses by police, military, or other agencies. We must acknowledge that the UNHRO's increasing presence of late signals Bangladesh's increasing willingness to be transparent and to remove the culture of impunity that has long become entrenched within state institutions. We must ensure this journey towards protecting rights continues undeterred.​