Nahid seeks UN assistance for probe into human rights violations in student-people movement

Information and Broadcasting Adviser Nahid Islam has sought assistance of the United Nations (UN) for the proper investigation into the human rights violations that took place during the student-people movement.

He sought the assistance when a delegation of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights led by its Asia-Pacific Region Chief Rory Mungoven paid a joint courtesy call on Nahid and Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain at the Youth and Sports Ministry office in the Bangladesh Secretariat in Dhaka today, said a press release.

Nahid, also posts, telecommunications and information technology adviser, said, "We have achieved our independence through many sacrifices with the support of people from all walks of life."

This uprising has created some commitments toward the people of the country, he said, adding, "We are working for fulfilling those promises."

Simultaneously, efforts are being made to maintain national unity by upholding the spirit of the mass uprising, Nahid said.

He said the interim government is giving priority to three key areas - reforming the state structure, providing rehabilitation and long-term benefits to the families of those injured or killed in the movement, and ensuring justice through proper investigations against those involved in the killings during the movement.

"We are grateful to the UN and human rights organisations for standing beside us throughout the time of movement. We had previously informed them about the previous government's plan of carrying out crackdown [on the demonstrators], which was later proved," Nahid said.

He added, "Through a proper investigation under the UN, we want to inform the whole world about what happened in Bangladesh during this movement. The global community should know how brutal the previous Awami League government was towards the protesting students and the people."

At the meeting, chief of Asia-Pacific Region of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Rory Mungoven congratulated the interim government and appreciated the role of Bangladesh's youngsters for safeguarding the democracy and human rights.

Mungoven observed the event as an opportunity for Bangladesh and said they are ready to provide all kinds of support to establish the truth and justice.

Speaking at the meeting, Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain said the youths of Bangladesh have interest in sports. 

"The previous Awami League government engaged in widespread corruption in all areas of sports sector. Our government is working to free the sports arena from corruption and political influence," he added.

Due to the worsening flood situation in the country, youth and sports adviser said, 8,500 registered youth organisations under the Department of Youth Development are continuously working to address the flood situation.

Asif, also adviser for labour and employment ministry, said after assuming the office of the labour and employment ministry, he held discussions with the victims of the Tazreen Fashion and Rana Plaza tragedies.

Noting that the workers are the key tools to keep the country's economy vibrant, he said, labours are, however, deprived of their rights. 

"Ensuring their rights is our primary goal. We need international cooperation to improve their living standard," Asif said.