UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
New US border enforcement actions pose risk to fundamental human rights: Türk
New border enforcement measures recently announced by the US administration risk undermining the basic foundations of international human rights and refugee law, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said Wednesday.
“The right to seek asylum is a human right, no matter a person’s origin, immigration status, nor how they arrived at an international border,” said Türk.
“These measures appear to be at variance with the prohibition of collective expulsion and the principle of non-refoulement,” the UN human rights chief said.
The announced changes include increased use of expedited removals and expansion of the use of the Title 42 public health order to permit the fast-track expulsion to Mexico of some 30,000 Venezuelans, Haitians, Cubans and Nicaraguans each month.
Read more: US border cities strained ahead of expected migrant surge
Title 42 has already been used by US immigration officials some 2.5 million times at the southern border to expel people to Mexico or their home country without an individualised assessment of all their protection needs accompanied by due process and procedural safeguards.
At the same time, a “humanitarian parole” programme, which was previously extended to Venezuelans, would be expanded to include nationals of Cuba, Haiti and Nicaragua, allowing some 30,000 individuals per month from these four countries to come to the US for a limited period of two years with strict conditions for eligibility.
“While I welcome measures to create and expand safe and regular pathways, such initiatives should not come at the expense of fundamental human rights, including the right to seek asylum and the right to an individual assessment of protection needs. Limited access to humanitarian parole for some cannot be a replacement for upholding the rights of all to seek the protection of their human rights,” Türk said.
The high commissioner also said those most in need of asylum and those in vulnerable situations are unlikely to meet the restrictive requirements to be granted humanitarian parole, including having a financial sponsor in the US.
“We hear a great deal of talk about migration crises, but in reality, it is those migrating who often are the ones truly in crisis. Rather than vilifying them and stripping them of long-recognised rights, we should be seeking to govern migration humanely and safely with full respect for the human rights of every individual,” he added.
Read more: Illegal border crossings to US from Mexico reach annual high
We unmasked some people through Bachelet’s visit: Shahriar
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam on Tuesday said the government had unmasked some people including a section of civil society and their political intentions through the recent visit of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet.
“We believe in engagement. We are committed and we have enough goodwill (to look into human rights issues). We could prove it,” he told the reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, noting that it is very “low and mean” as some people sought her intervention in terms of election.
The State Minister said those people who are spreading misinformation and sought UN rights chief’s intervention during her visit are actually helping the anti-Awami League political platform (BNP-Jamaat). “It’s an evil effort to malign the government.”
He said the BNP and Jamaat with their people at home and abroad have continuously been spreading misinformation.
The state minister expressed his surprise as some people raised some issues which go beyond the UN human rights chief’s mandate and said those people do not have adequate knowledge on how the UN system operates.
Shahriar said Bachelet made it clear during her meeting with a section of civil society that it is not within her mandate to address the demands related to the next national election in Bangladesh.
He described such effort “objectionable” and it is not a healthy practice at all.
Read:Bachelet raised no concern over country’s human rights condition: Anisul Haque
Shahriar said the UN human rights chief understood where these people came from and what their intention was.
He, however, said the government has a great respect for the civil society for their role in various areas while a section of it has a political intention.
Shahriar said the so-called opposition parties have a big “misperception and misconception” that their many demands will be met once they raise the issues with the UN human rights chief. “They live in a fool's paradise.”
The UN hss given a a list of 76 people who allegedly got disappeared.
Of them, the government traced 10 and submitted a report to the UN.
Of the remaining 66, there are many notorious criminals and such criminals generally go into hiding to evade the trial process, Shahriar said.
The government will continue its efforts to trace those people, he said.
The State Minister said Bachelet did not meet the opposition leaders but engaged her colleague to talk to them.
The government of Bangladesh invited the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
She hoped her visit would build on the government’s engagement with the UN’s human rights mechanisms and help deepen cooperation with us, furthering the promotion and protection of human rights in Bangladesh.
In Dhaka, she met with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and ministers - foreign affairs, home affairs, law, and education - and other officials.
For all the significant human rights challenges ahead – economic, climate-related, political, social and humanitarian – she was convinced that if the powerful resources within the whole society are harnessed, and policies and responses are crafted with the participation of many diverse voices, Bangladesh will continue to shine brighter in its remarkable development journey.
Int'l community urged to intensify pressure on Myanmar military to stop violence against its people
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet has urged the international community to intensify pressure on the military to stop its campaign of violence against the people of Myanmar.
She also urged the international community to insist on prompt restoration of civilian rule, and accountability for violations committed by security forces.
"We continue to document gross human rights violations and serious violations of international humanitarian law on a daily basis, including repression against protesters and attacks against civilians that may amount to crimes against humanity and war crimes," said Bachelet during a press conference in Geneva on Thursday.
Read: I can understand PM Hasina’s pains: Bachelet
August 25 marked five years since more than 700,000 Rohingya women, children and men were forced to flee Myanmar for Bangladesh – and Myanmar’s human rights catastrophe continues to worsen, with the military (the Tatmadaw) maintaining military operations in Kayah and Kayin in the southeast; Chin state in the northwest; and Sagaing and Magway regions in the Bamar heartland.
The use of air power and artillery against villages and residential areas has intensified, she said.
"Recent spikes in violence in Rakhine State also seemed to indicate that the last fairly stable area of the country may not avoid a resurgence of armed conflict," said the UN rights chief.
She said Rohingya communities have frequently been caught between the Tatmadaw and Arakan Army fighters or have been targeted directly in operations.
Pay attention to Palestine, Myanmar, Hasan to UNHRC
Information Minister Hasan Mahmud on Thursday said the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) should pay attention to Palestine and Myanmar.
He said it would have been better if the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet during her recent visit to Bangladesh heard from the victim families of the arson violence unleashed in 2013, 2014 and 2015 in the country.
Dr Hasan, also a joint general secretary of Awami League, was addressing a discussion organised by Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University (SAU) Alumni Association on the occasion of the National Mourning Day at Krishibid Institute Auditorium here.
Also read: Election period in Bangladesh to be important time to maximise civic, political space: Bachelet
He said when children in Palestine threw stones at Israeli soldiers, they (Palestinians) are killed by firing a hail of bullets in response.
Pointing at Michelle Bachelet, the Information and Broadcasting Minister said it is not enough to appreciate Bangladesh visiting the Rohingya camp only. But she will also have to visit Myanmar and ensure their repatriation, he said.
“The United Nations Human Rights Council should pay attention to these countries where human rights are grossly violated,” he added.
Criticising the BNP, Dr Hasan said Zia and his party (BNP) are the biggest violators of human rights in Bangladesh. Ziaur Rahman turned the Indemnity Ordinance into law to prevent the trial of Bangabandhu murder and he also rehabilitated the killers.
And in 2013, 2014 and 2015, hundreds of innocent people were burnt to death through petrol bombs in the name of strike-blockade by BNP and their ally Jamaat, he said.
Also read: Bachelet didn’t express any concern over Bangladesh situation: Law Minister
About the remarks of Michelle Bachelet over the Digital Security Act, Hasan said that this law was enacted to ensure digital security for every citizen of the country.
“Those who raise questions about our law, I will tell them to look at the laws in Australia and Singapore where there are stricter provisions in the laws than ours,” he said adding that India and Pakistan also have similar provisions in their laws.
A framework law was enacted in the European Union to provide digital security and the EU member countries have made their laws in light of the Framework law. But, no remark about these is seen, he added.
"Yes, we are careful to ensure that this law is not misused, and we are working to ensure that no one is oppressed," said the Minister.
Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim, AL joint general secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim, SAU Vice-Chancellor Dr Shahidur Rashid Bhuiyan the SAU alumni association secretary general and also Youth and Sports Secretary Mesbah Uddin also spoke at the discussion presided over by the association president Prof Dr Kamal Uddin Ahamed.
Election period in Bangladesh to be important time to maximise civic, political space: Bachelet
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Wednesday said the election period will be an important time for Bangladesh to maximise civic and political space.
She also mentioned that freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly of political activists, human rights defenders, opposition parties and journalists are important.
"There needs to be space for more dialogue among political parties and with a wide range of civil society actors to prevent grievances from building and erupting in social unrest," Bachelet told reporters at a crowded press conference at a city hotel.
She said it is also important to ensure that law enforcement forces have the necessary training to manage protests without resorting to the excessive use of force.
Bachelet said the voices of women, religious minorities and indigenous peoples, and especially young people need to be heard.
She thanked the government of Bangladesh for inviting her to visit the country, the first by a High Commissioner for Human Rights.
"I hope my visit will build on the government’s engagement with the UN’s human rights mechanisms and help deepen cooperation with us, furthering the promotion and protection of human rights in Bangladesh," Bachelet said.
During the visit she met with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and several ministers - foreign, home, law, and education - and other government officials.
She also met with the National Human Rights Commission and representatives of civil society, as well as members of the diplomatic community and academics.
Bachelet interacted with students at the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies on climate change and human rights.
She said civil society members are important resources that governments need to tap into.
"Critical voices can help to identify the problems, to acknowledge them, to dive deep into the causes and discuss solutions," she said, adding that acknowledging the challenges is always the first step to overcoming them.
"My exchanges with civil society representatives were rich and insightful – this was not surprising as Bangladesh has historically had a wealth of civil society expertise in various fields," she said.
Bachelet said democratic and civic space, as well as effective checks and balances and accountability are essential as Bangladesh aims for the next levels of development.
Bachelet to pay homage to Bangabandhu Monday
Visiting UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet will pay homage to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman at Bangabandhu Memorial Museum on Monday.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam will receive her at Dhanmondi-32 at 12pm, said a senior official.
Bachelet, who was an elected president of Chile on two occasions (2006 – 2010 and 2014 – 2018), is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday morning.
Bachelet will also join an interactive session on “New Frontiers of Human Rights: Climate Justice in Perspective” with young scholars at the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies on Wednesday after her meeting with PM Hasina.
Also read: Ideals of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Can Inspire the Young Generation
She held meetings with the Cabinet members of the government including Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Sunday.
The top executive of the UN Human Rights body will also have the opportunity to interact with the forcibly displaced Rohingya people during her trip to Cox’s Bazar, through which she would be equipped with concrete information to press hard the agenda for their repatriation to the ancestral homeland - Rakhine State of Myanmar, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Also read: Nation set to observe National Mourning Day Monday
Bachelet will make a statement on Wednesday at the end of her visit, said her office.
She is scheduled to interact with the National Human Rights Commission, youth representatives, leaders of the civil society organizations (CSOs) and the academia during her stay in Dhaka.
Bachelet arrived here on Sunday morning on a four-day visit as Bangladesh continues “constructive dialogue” with her for the promotion and protection of human rights.
Mohib's killing, Rohingya repatriation: Bachelet for redoubling global pressure on Myanmar
Rohingya leader Mohib Ullah's killing should be a clarion call to the international community to redouble its pressure on Myanmar to recognise the Rohingya and accept their return to their homes in Rakhine State, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said Friday.
She also emphasised the international community's role to pursue accountability for the terrible crimes committed against them.
Bachelet expressed her shock and sadness over the killing of Rohingya human rights defender Mohib Ullah and called for a prompt, thorough and effective investigation into his death.
"It is heartbreaking that a person who spent his life fighting to ensure that the violations committed against the Rohingya people were known worldwide has been murdered in this way," she said.
Mohib Ullah, who was chair of the Arakan Rohingya Society for Peace and Human Rights (ARSPH), was shot dead Wednesday by unknown assailants in the Kutupalong refugee camp of Cox’s Bazar.
Read: Mohib's murder: FIR lodged, probe in full swing, say police
States urged to take decisive, impactful, measures against Myanmar military
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Tuesday urged States to take immediate, decisive and impactful measures to push Myanmar’s military leadership into halting its campaign of repression and slaughter of its people.
The High Commissioner called on the Myanmar military and neighbouring States to facilitate humanitarian access to populations in need.
Also read: Myanmar cuts wireless internet service amid coup protests
She urged neighbouring States to give temporary protection to people fleeing the violence, and to refrain from returning people fleeing Myanmar at this time, in accordance with the principle of non-refoulement.
“We have witnessed yet another weekend of coordinated bloodshed in many parts of the country, including the reported mass killing of at least 82 people in Bago between Friday and Saturday. The military seems intent on intensifying its pitiless policy of violence against the people of Myanmar, using military-grade and indiscriminate weaponry,” Bachelet said in a statement issued from Geneva.
There are clear echoes of Syria in 2011, she said adding that there too, they saw peaceful protests met with unnecessary and clearly disproportionate force.
The State’s brutal, persistent repression of its own people led to some individuals taking up arms, followed by a downward and rapidly expanding spiral of violence all across the country.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights at the time warned in 2011 that the failure of the international community to respond with united resolve could be disastrous for Syria and beyond.
The past ten years have shown just how horrific the consequences have been for millions of civilians.
Also read:Myanmar writes to Bangladesh explaining military takeover: FM
“I fear the situation in Myanmar is heading towards a full-blown conflict. States must not allow the deadly mistakes of the past in Syria and elsewhere to be repeated.”
Over the weekend, credible reports indicate that Tatmadaw forces opened fire with rocket-propelled grenades, fragmentation grenades and mortar fire in Bago in the south of the country.
Security forces also reportedly prevented medical personnel from helping the wounded, as well as charging relatives a “fine” of roughly USD 90 to claim the bodies of those who were killed. Some individuals are also now resorting to the use of makeshift or primitive weapons in self-defence.
Clashes between the military and ethnic armed groups have also intensified in several locations in Kachin, Shan and Kayin states, where the military have been employing airstrikes that have killed and displaced civilians.
As arrests continue, with at least 3,080 people currently detained, there are reports that 23 people have been sentenced to death following secret trials – including four protesters and 19 others who were accused of political and criminal offences.
The mass arrests have forced hundreds of people to go into hiding, and reports suggest that many journalists, civil society activists, celebrities and other public figures are being sought, many simply because of the dissent they have been expressing on-line.
Wireless broadband and mobile data services were cut indefinitely on 2 April, leaving the vast majority of people without access to vital sources of information and communication.
Meanwhile, the country’s economy, education and health infrastructure have been brought to the brink of collapse, leaving millions of Myanmar people without livelihood, basic services and, increasingly, food security.
Thousands of internal migrants have left urban centres for their home communities – which once relied on their income. COVID-19 measures have effectively been brought to a standstill.
Also read:Myanmar military 'reaches out' to Rohingyas in Rakhine
“Statements of condemnation, and limited targeted sanctions, are clearly not enough. States with influence need to urgently apply concerted pressure on the military in Myanmar to halt the commission of grave human rights violations and possible crimes against humanity against the people,” Bachelet said.
The High Commissioner made particular reference to the report of the UN Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar, which contains clear recommendations for impactful action in relation to the military.
Bachelet stressed the need to cut off the supply of arms and finances to the military leadership that aid its commission of serious human rights violations.
Action must be taken now over Rohingyas' rights violations: Bachelet
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Monday said action must now be taken to properly remedy the serious violations the Rohingya have suffered, and include them into the life of their country.
New technologies must serve, not hinder, right to peaceful protest: UN
Michelle Bachelet on Thursday called on States and businesses to ensure that new technologies, including facial recognition and so-called ‘less-lethal weapons,’ are developed and used in ways that do not disrupt and prevent people’s ability to exercise their fundamental rights to peaceful assembly and expression, and their right to participate in public affairs.