Geneva/Dhaka: A shocking statement from the United Nations Human Rights has come out regarding the coup of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in Bangladesh. UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk has called the coup of Sheikh Hasina a historic opportunity for others. Along with this, he said that there is a need to fix the accountability of those responsible for violence and human rights violations against various people including religious minorities in Bangladesh. His office released a preliminary report on Friday on the protests and unrest in the country in recent weeks.
Turk called for a comprehensive, impartial and transparent investigation of all human rights violations. He also said that the transition of power in this South Asian country is a historic opportunity to ensure that governance is based on human rights, inclusion and the rule of law. Turk’s remarks came a day after he announced that a team from his office would visit Bangladesh next week and investigate the killings of protesters.
Know why the coup was called a historic opportunity
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said, “The upcoming transition of power presents a historic opportunity to reform and energise the country’s institutions, restore fundamental freedoms and civic space, and enable all in Bangladesh to participate in shaping the future.” She was referring to the change of government in Bangladesh after four-time Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled to India on August 5 in the wake of a massive mass movement sparked by a student movement over the quota system in government jobs. Hasina’s departure led to chaos in Bangladesh. Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus was sworn in as chief adviser to the interim government on August 8. He was chosen by President Mohammad Shahabuddin after he dissolved parliament.
UN team will visit Bangladesh
The arrival of the UN team of experts was announced next week in a post made by the Chief Advisor of the Bangladesh Government on the social media platform ‘X’. This is the first time since Bangladesh came into existence in 1971 that the United Nations has sent a fact-finding mission to Bangladesh to investigate widespread human rights violations in the country. A statement issued by the Office of the High Commissioner (Human Rights) said that hundreds of people, including 32 children, are believed to have been killed and thousands injured in widespread violence.