United News of Bangladesh

Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly has said as a country committed to democracy, inclusive governance and the rule of law, Canada calls for a "quick and peaceful" return to a democratic and inclusive civilian-led government in Bangladesh. "We urge the people of Bangladesh to unite around the principles of freedom and democracy upon which their country was founded," said the minister in a statement following the resignation of Sheikh Hasina from the post of prime minister. Respect for fundamental human rights, including freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly, are critical for democratic governance and to build peaceful and prosperous societies, said the Canadian foreign minister. “Canada stands with the people of Bangladesh during these challenging times," Joly said. Canada strongly condemned the human rights violations, deaths, torture, arbitrary arrests and lethal force used against the people of Bangladesh in recent weeks. "We reiterate our deep condolences to all those impacted," Joly said. During this transition, Canada urged all parties to respect and uphold democratic institutions and processes and the rule of law. "It is vital that all those arrested in recent weeks be accorded due process in the justice system and that a full and impartial investigation be pursued to ensure accountability for crimes committed," Joly said.

The United Nations has said they want to make sure that all of the authorities—political, military and anyone else—who has a say in the current transition, work together so that there will be a peaceful and democratic transition in Bangladesh. “We are in touch with authorities in the region and our country team is in touch with authorities in Bangladesh, and we’ll see where we go with that. But right now, the situation is moving very swiftly. We’ll have to see what happens once the dust settles,” said Deputy Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General Farhan Haq at a regular briefing at New York on August 5 He said they are watching the situation in the country very closely and continue to call for calm and restraint. There must be no further violence or reprisals in Bangladesh: UN Human Rights Chief The UN Deputy Spokesman urged all parties to respect the right to peaceful assembly and expression. “We urge security forces to protect those out on the streets of Dhaka and other cities of Bangladesh.” The UN emphasized the importance of a “peaceful, orderly and democratic” transition. “We stand in full solidarity with the people of Bangladesh at this time, and we call for full respect of their democratic and human rights.” And ultimately, he said, regarding what has happened so far, there is a need for a full, independent and impartial and transparent investigation into all acts of violence.

UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk has said that it is vital the transition of power in Bangladesh is peaceful and guided by human rights, in line with the country’s international obligations, and that those responsible for the killing of hundreds and injuring of thousands are held to account. “The transition must be conducted in a transparent and accountable way, and be inclusive and open to the meaningful participation of all Bangladeshis,” he said, adding that “There must be no further violence or reprisals.” Democratic order and the rule of law must be ensured as quickly as possible, and all emergency measures must be strictly limited in accordance with international law, said the High Commissioner in a statement issued from Geneva. Everyone arbitrarily detained must be released, and all those responsible for human rights violations must be held to account, he stressed. Underlying issues and grievances must be addressed. Türk reiterated his calls for a comprehensive, impartial and transparent investigation into all alleged human rights violations since July, when initially peaceful protests against a quota system for civil service jobs were followed by violence and a brutal response by the authorities. “In the current circumstances, and to ensure public confidence, an investigation should be conducted independently, and my Office stands ready to support this,” the High Commissioner said. “The demands for justice and reform must be heeded,” he said, adding that at this pivotal moment, Bangladesh’s international human rights obligations can serve as a road map for the transitional authorities and all political leaders. “This is a time for national healing, including through an immediate end to violence, as well as accountability that ensures the rights of victims to truth and reparations, and a truly inclusive process that brings the country together on the way forward.”  

The United States in its first reaction to the upheaval in Bangladesh has welcomed the decision of forming an interim government and laid emphasis on making any transition in accordance with Bangladesh’s laws. During his opening comments on Bangladesh, US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said the United States stands with the people of Bangladesh. “We have seen the announcement that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned from her position and departed Bangladesh. We are monitoring the situation carefully,” said the Spokesperson during a regular briefing in Washington on August 5. He said it is important that they focus on the Bangladeshi people’s democratic aspirations and see a path to democratic governance. The US urged all parties to refrain from further violence. “Too many lives have been lost over the course of the past several weeks, and we urge calm and restraint in the days ahead,” Miller said. The Spokesperson said they are deeply saddened about the reports of human rights abuses, casualties, and injuries over the weekend and past weeks. Now, as to what accountability looks like, he said that is something that should take place under Bangladeshi law. “Obviously anyone responsible for acts of violence, acts that break the law, should be held accountable,” he added. Miller said the US shares their deepest condolences with those who lost loved ones and those who are suffering. Replying to a question, Miller said the US focuses on Bangladeshi people's democratic aspirations and wants to see a path to democratic government. "We want to see the Bangladeshi people decide the future of the Bangladeshi Government," he said. The US is now focused on supporting an end to the violence and for accountability. "All decisions regarding the interim government should be made with respect to democratic principles, rule of law, and the will of the Bangladeshi people,” he said, adding that the US wants to see the people of Bangladesh to decide the future government of Bangladesh. With respect to the violence over the past few weeks and the deaths that have occurred, he said it is vital that they have full and transparent investigations to ensure accountability for these deaths. On the impact on the Rohingyas, Miller said the United States has provided around $2 billion to assist with refugees in Bangladesh. “I don’t have any immediate comment on how this change of government might affect those programs,” he said. Miller said they think it is important that Bangladesh continues to provide hospitality to those refugees, and the US will continue to work with them to do so. With respect to financial support in fiscal year 2023, the United States provided over 212 million in bilateral economic, development, and health assistance to Bangladesh. “I don’t have any announcements with respect to those programs other than that we would like to see them continue because they’re important to our relationship with the people of Bangladesh,” he said.  

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said Moscow operates on the premise that changes in the Bangladesh government constitute an "internal affair" of that country. "However, we look forward to the internal political processes in that friendly country returning to the constitutional norms as soon as possible," said the Russian Embassy in Dhaka quoting its Ministry of Foreign Affairs. On August 5, Bangladeshi media reported the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her cabinet, which was preceded by mass protest rallies whose participants demanded to bring to justice the officials responsible for deadly anti-government student protests in July, said the Russian government. The situation in the country is controlled by the Bangladeshi Army, it noted. A transitional (interim) government is expected to be formed soon, it said. The Russian government also said no injuries of Russian citizens were reported.

Dhaka, Aug 5 (UNB) -The United Kingdom wants to see action taken to ensure Bangladesh’s peaceful and democratic future, said British Foreign Secretary David Lammy on Monday. The last two weeks in Bangladesh have seen unprecedented levels of violence and tragic loss of life, he said. A transitional period has been announced by the Chief of the Army Staff, the British Foreign Secretary said in a statement regarding the situation in Bangladesh. All sides now need to work together to end the violence, restore calm, deescalate the situation and prevent any further loss of life, he said. The people of Bangladesh deserve a full and independent UN-led investigation into the events of the past few weeks, the statement reads. "The UK and Bangladesh have deep people-to-people links and shared Commonwealth values," he said.

High Representative of the European Union (EU) Josep Borrell Fontelles has said it is vital that an orderly and peaceful transition towards a democratically elected government is ensured, in full respect of human rights and democratic principles. “The European Union is closely monitoring the events unfolding in Bangladesh,” he said in a statement on the latest developments from Brussels on Monday. Following the address to the nation by Chief of Army Staff, General Waker-Uz-Zaman, the EU called for calm and restraint. “The EU is saddened by the tragic loss of life during the protests in recent days. We take note of the assurances given by General Waker-Uz-Zaman that the situation will be handled in a peaceful manner, and that all unlawful killings will be impartially investigated,” the High Representative said. Fontelles said accountability for human rights violations is crucial. “Those who have been arbitrarily detained should be released immediately.” As a dedicated partner of the people of Bangladesh, the EU remains committed to the country’s prosperity and development, he said.

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk has said the shocking violence in Bangladesh must stop. He said scores more protesters were killed over the weekend. At least 13 police officers were also killed when a police station was attacked in Sirajganj district, he mentioned. With a mass march on Dhaka planned for today, Turk said he is deeply worried that there will be further loss of life and wider destruction. "I appeal urgently to the political leadership and to the security forces to abide by their obligations to protect the right to life, and the freedom of peaceful assembly and expression," he said. In his statement, the UN Human Rights Chief said "accountability" for human rights violations – including for those with superior and command responsibility – is crucial. The international community must make it clear that at this pivotal time, there will be no impunity, he said. "The government must cease targeting those participating peacefully in the protest movement, immediately release those arbitrarily detained, restore full Internet access, and create conditions for meaningful dialogue," Turk said. The continuing effort to "suppress popular discontent, including through the excessive use of force, and the deliberate spread of misinformation and incitement to violence" must immediately cease, he added. Turk did not mention the killing of ruling party men and vandalism and arson carried out targeting residence of ministers, MPs, and party offices. Another policeman was killed in Cumilla, which he did not mention in his statement.

In view of ongoing developments, Indian nationals have been "strongly advised" against travelling to Bangladesh till further notice. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued an advisory for Bangladesh on Sunday. All Indian nationals presently in Bangladesh are advised to exercise extreme caution, restrict their movements. They are advised to remain in contact with the High Commission of India in Dhaka through their emergency phone numbers : +8801958383679+8801958383680+8801937400591

Twenty-two US senators and Congress members have written to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressing concern over the ongoing situation in Bangladesh, reports BBC Bangla. They sent a bipartisan letter to the Secretary of State, expressing alarm at the “declining state of democracy and human rights” in Bangladesh. The United States must condemn all acts of violence, ensure critical civil liberties, such as the freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, are protected, and take action to hold complicit government officials accountable for the above abuses against the Bangladeshi people, they wrote. “Given these alarming and continuing trends, we hope that you will lead the U.S. Department of State in upholding the shared democratic principles that have long underpinned the US-Bangladeshi relationship,” the letter reads. Moreover, in order to prevent further deterioration of democracy in Bangladesh, the United States must partner with the international community to support the right of the Bangladeshi people to a representative democratic government that upholds human rights and respects individual freedoms.