UN independent human rights experts on Wednesday urged the
Government of Bangladesh to undertake key reforms to reverse
“repressive trends” and restore dialogue.
The Human Rights
Council-appointed experts’ call follows on from the election
victory of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina earlier this month, who
secured a controversial fourth term with the main opposition
party deciding to boycott the poll.
Ms. Hasina and her Awami League party won 223 of the 300
parliamentary seats being contested amid violent protests that
left scores dead, including some opposition party members.
Around 25,000 opposition leaders and supporters were arrested,
while some were tortured and denied treatment, said the rights
experts. Journalists and other media workers were also attacked.
Some voters were reportedly pressured to cast their ballots by
ruling party members and threatened with violence and loss of
their social protection benefits if they failed to do so.
There have been no independent investigations into the
allegations, the experts noted.
Alarming situation
“We are alarmed at reports that widespread attacks, harassment
and intimidation of civil society, human rights defenders,
journalists, and political activists, which marred the recent
elections,” the independent experts said.
They have written to the Government, urging officials to conduct
full, prompt and independent investigations into the numerous
allegations of rights abuses and violations.
“We urge the Government to prioritize human rights reforms in its
new work programme and to create an enabling environment for the
free and safe exercise of fundamental freedoms and political
participation, to restore public trust in the democratic
process,” they said.
This would also reassure foreign investors in the Bangladesh
economy and send a clear message to the world that it is
committed to upholding its international legal obligations, the
experts added.
Action points
The experts called on the authorities to Immediately and
unconditionally release all civil society and political activists
detained without charge, ensure fair trials, and bring about
“substantial reforms” to guarantee the integrity and independence
of the judicial system.
They also underscored the need to ensure freedom of expression
and of association, as well as respect for a pluralistic, diverse
and independent media.
Independent experts
The experts voicing their concern included Special Rapporteurs on
the freedom of peaceful assembly, on the independence of judges
and lawyers, on human rights defenders, and on the freedom of
opinion and expression.
The Chair and members of the Working Group on arbitrary detention
also joined the call for reform.
Special Rapporteurs, Working Group members, and other independent
experts are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council and form
part of its Special Procedures.
They are mandated to monitor and report on specific thematic
issues or country situations and work on a voluntary basis. They
serve in their individual capacity; are not UN staff and do not
receive a salary.
