UN's special rapporteur on peaceful assembly Clément Voule has said he is following events in Bangladesh closely, after concerning reports of "attacks and lethal force against peaceful protests since July 2022, causing deaths." Bangladesh must guarantee the right to peaceful assembly and refrain from using excessive force against protesters, he tweeted. Read: Nayapaltan clash: 445 BNP activists including Rizvi, Annie sent to jail, 2 get bail He said he previously raised concerns with the Bangladesh government in a communication in 2021, following similar reports of "lethal use of force by law enforcement in the context of peaceful assemblies." Clément has been special rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association since April 2018. Read: Nayapaltan clash: Over 3000 BNP activists, others sued In October 2010, the Human Rights Council adopted resolution 15/21 establishing the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association for an initial period of three years. The Council extended the mandate of the Special Rapporteur a first time in September 2013 (resolution 24/5) and a second time in June 2016 (resolution 32/32). The mandate was last renewed in July 2019 (resolution 41/12) for a period of three years.

UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Gwyn Lewis Wednesday said they remind Bangladesh of its commitments, as a UN member state, to "free expression, media freedom, and peaceful assembly" among others written in the Declaration as the country is coming closer to its national election next year. "We reaffirm the UN's full support to Bangladesh in upholding its commitments," she said in a media statement celebrating Human Rights Day 2022 which falls on December 10. Gwyn Lewis said: "Ours is a shared humanity rooted in universal values. A threat to the rights of one person is a threat to the whole of society." "Celebrating Human Rights Day is an opportunity to reflect on what they have in common with each other and what that binds them together." Read more: Gwyn Lewis of Ireland appointed UNRC in Bangladesh International Human Rights Day is the day on which the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, entitling everyone, regardless of race, colour, sex, religion, political or other views to inalienable rights. "This year we have seen the consequences of crises driven by the Covid-19 pandemic, the devastating Ukraine war and climate change that have disproportionately impacted the most vulnerable across the world, impeding their access to basic services, to be protected and their right to live in peace," said Gwyn Lewis. Read more: Climate-impacted countries like Bangladesh need financial, tech support: UN Resident Coordinator Remembering the Declaration that says that "all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights," the UN in solidarity with all Bangladeshis, recommits itself to upholding the core values of dignity, equality and liberty, including thought and conscience.