Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus has emphasized the need for comprehensive documentation of human rights violations committed during the tenure of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina`s Awami League party.
Yunus`s remarks came on Sunday during a discussion with Gwyn Lewis, the United Nations resident coordinator in Bangladesh, and Huma Khan, senior human rights adviser at the UN resident coordinator`s office.
He specifically highlighted incidents such as the violent crackdown on protesters at Shapla Chattar, police brutality following the verdict against Delwar Hossain Sayeedi, and years of extrajudicial killings.
“There is a need for proper documentation of all atrocities committed against the people of this country. Unless this documentation is done, it is difficult to know the truth and ensure justice,” Yunus said during the meeting at the State Guest House Jamuna.
Lewis assured him that the UN is ready to provide technical support to help Bangladesh build its capacity to document these violations.
“This is the process of healing and establishing truth,” Lewis said.
Yunus also expressed gratitude to the UN for its recent fact-finding report on human rights violations and abuses related to the July protests in Bangladesh.
“We are very happy to see the UN has published the report. It came on time. It was not an easy task,” Yunus noted.
Lewis informed the chief adviser that United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk will brief member states on the report’s findings on March 5 during the 55th session of the Human Rights Council.
She also expressed hope that the upcoming visit of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to Bangladesh from March 13 to 16 would bring renewed global attention to the Rohingya crisis, especially amid dwindling aid supply.
“We are very worried about the money situation,” Lewis said, noting that $15 million per month is required to sustain food supplies for Rohingya refugees and other basic needs.
The visit of Guterres is expected to reinforce international focus on both Bangladesh’s human rights challenges and the ongoing humanitarian crisis faced by the Rohingya community.
Comment :