The United Nations human rights body on Monday said they "regret" the imposition of the death penalty, which they oppose in all circumstances but described the verdict as an important moment for victims of the grave violations committed during the suppression of protests last year.

“The handing down of verdicts today by the International Crimes Tribunal against former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the former Home Minister in Dhaka on charges of crimes against humanity is an important moment for victims of the grave violations committed during the suppression of protests last year," said Ravina Shamdasani, Spokesperson for the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on Monday in Geneva.

She said while they were not privy to the conduct of this trial, they have consistently advocated for all accountability proceedings, especially on charges of international crimes, to unquestionably meet international standards of due process and fair trial.

"This is particularly vital when, as was the case here, the trials have been conducted in absentia and led to a capital punishment sentence," said the Spokesperson.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk hopes Bangladesh will move forward with a comprehensive process of truth-telling, reparation and justice as the pathway to national reconciliation and healing.

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"This should include meaningful and transformative security sector reform, respecting international standards, to ensure that these violations and abuses are never repeated," said the Spokesperson.

She said the Office stands ready to support the government and people of Bangladesh in these endeavours.

The High Commissioner calls for calm, and for all to exercise restraint in response to these developments, said the Spokesperson.