United News of Bangladesh

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on Monday voiced concerns about recent changes to legislation to allow the banning of political parties and organisations and all related activities. "I am concerned about recent changes to legislation to allow the banning of political parties and organisations and all related activities," he said, adding that this "unduly restricts" the freedoms of association, expression and assembly. The UN rights chief made the remarks while delivering global update at the opening of the 59th Human Rights Council. Yunus welcomes UN's expert support over probe into enforced disappearances Turk said his office hopes to reach an agreement on their expanded presence soon. The UN rights chief said he is "encouraged" that the interim government and political parties in Bangladesh are making progress through dialogue. "I urge meaningful advances on reforms, to create the environment for free and inclusive elections," Turk said. Earlier, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in its fact-finding report shared recommendations in some specific areas, including accountability and justice, police and security; civic space, political system and economic governance. The UN human rights office, recently, recommended Bangladesh to refrain from political party bans undermining democracy and disenfranchising part of the electorate. UN team praises interim govt for steps against enforced disappearances In the fact-finding report, the UN observed that political party bans would undermine a return to a ‘genuine multiparty democracy’ and effectively disenfranchise a large part of the Bangladeshi electorate. A journalist drew UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Gwyn Lewis' attention recently regarding the recommendations made by the UN fact-finding mission against banning any political party and the government’s decision to ban activities of Awami League and sought her comments on that. In reply, she said it is not a question for her, but for the government. “We made our recommendations because participation and inclusion of all political parties is something that prevents a very polarised position, potentially unrest.” Lewis, who brings more than 20 years of experience in international development, peace-building, and humanitarian affairs to the position also said, "I think the circumstances need to be looked at....the decision of the government needs to be looked at in the context of the country. I do not have anything more to say. It is very much a political decision and again a decision of the government."

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has said that the governments must do more to prevent attacks, to protect journalists, and to prosecute those responsible, adding that states also need laws to protect freedom of expression and information. Speaking on the occasion of International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists (November 2), Türk said, “We live in troubled times—and effective journalism is more important than ever. A free press feeds a free society and fuels democratic decision-making.” “It also makes sure that we understand the human impact of violence and conflict so that this horrible tendency of dehumanization is stopped,” he added. “On this International Day, I urge all those with influence to step up action to end impunity for crimes against journalists, to protect media workers, and to contribute to building open, just societies where the truth can flourish,” said the UN right chief.  

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on Tuesday began his two-day Dhaka visit to discuss human rights issues.  Toufique Hasan, Director General (UN) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs received him at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.  Türk is scheduled to hold a number of meetings with senior officials and civil society representatives, among others. During his visit, the High Commissioner will meet Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, said the UN office in Dhaka. The UN rights chief will meet a number of advisers for different ministries, the Chief Justice, the Army Chief and the heads of several reform commissions. Keen to recruit more workers from Bangladesh: Saudi Ambassador Türk will also make an address at the University of Dhaka, where he will meet students involved in the recent movement. He will hold meetings with UN agencies and members of diplomatic missions in Bangladesh. The High Commissioner will hold a news conference in Dhaka at the end of his mission on Wednesday. Earlier, the UN rights chief received an official invitation from the Chief Adviser to conduct an impartial and independent fact-finding mission into human rights violations committed from July 1 to August 15. The office deployed a fact-finding team to Bangladesh, with a view to reporting on violations and abuses perpetrated during the protests, analysing root causes and making recommendations to advance justice and accountability and for longer-term reforms. Volker Türk made a phone call to Bangladesh interim government Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus in August. EU sees opportunities in Bangladesh's rapid renewable energy expansion During his recent visit to New York, Chief Adviser Prof Yunus sought support from foreign friends for Bangladesh's new journey towards a happy and prosperous future, stressing that they do not want to miss the opportunity to build a new Bangladesh. As part of an ongoing engagement with the interim government, an advance team of the UN rights body visited Bangladesh from August 22-29 and met student leaders of the recent protests, as well as a wide range of advisers in the Interim Government, the Chief Justice, senior officers of the police and armed forces, lawyers, journalists and human rights defenders, representatives of political parties, and minority and indigenous communities.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam on Tuesday said the government is eagerly waiting to welcome UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet which will give her an opportunity to see the progress and challenges in Bangladesh on the rights front. “We are eagerly waiting for that visit. She will see the progress and will be able to know about the challenges,” he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday. Her four-day visit at the invitation of the government of Bangladesh is scheduled to begin on August 14. Bachelet, who assumed her functions as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in 2018, will meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal and Law Minister Anisul Huq. Read:US lauds Bangladesh’s response to Covid-19 “They (PM Hasina and Bachelet) are very good friends,” said the State Minister, adding that they have experiences in working together. Bachelet will be holding meetings with the UN representatives and civil society groups and will be visiting Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar. She will also try to understand how climate change is affecting the human rights situation in Bangladesh. Bachelet was elected President of Chile on two occasions (2006 – 2010 and 2014 – 2018). She was the first female president of Chile. She has recently indicated that she would not seek a second term for personal reasons as her term as High Commissioner draws to a close.

War in Ukraine continues to cause mayhem and destroy the lives of many, and it is everyone's responsibility to limit the global food, fuel and financial crisis that it has sustained, the UN's top rights official said Monday. Michelle Bachelet was addressing the Human Rights Council Monday in her last session as high commissioner. READ: Moscow-backed officials try to solidify rule in Ukraine "We committed ourselves to learning the lessons of the pandemic and to recover better. Eager to avoid the devastating consequences of the austerity that followed the 2008 financial crisis, the international community agreed to change course: building transformative societies and towards greener economies that will be more resilient to crises," the high commissioner said. "We are now facing a vital test of that commitment. And we need to meet it."

UN's top human rights official Michelle Bachelet has called for transparent investigation into the death in custody of a writer in Bangladesh and review of the Digital Security Act, under which he was charged.

United Nations,  OCT 16 (AP/UNB) — The U.N. human rights chief said Tuesday the world is witnessing increasing hate speech, rising challenges to international cooperation, and pushbacks on women's equality and the rights of minorities.