'All killings need to be investigated': UN rights chief

UN Human Rights High Commissioner Volker Turk today (30 October) laid emphasis on investigating all killings and freedom of assembly and expression.

"All killings need to be investigated. We can't allow killings to happen," he said while responding to a question.

Turk met Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and advisers before wrapping up his two-day visit.

It is crucial that the strong winds of change are harnessed and directed with human rights as the compass, said the UN rights chief.

Türk said to restore social cohesion and trust in institutions of the state, it will be crucial to rebuild the civic space that was progressively strangled in recent years.

"This will require reforming repressive laws, as well as state institutions that have been in the habit of stifling dissent," he said, adding that old habits die hard – only systemic change will ensure that the freedoms of expression, of association and peaceful assembly, and the right to political participation are respected.

The UN rights chief welcomed steps taken to repeal the Cyber Security Act, and to withdraw old cases of speech crimes under this law and the Digital Security Act.

He also welcomed statements by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus that reinforce Bangladesh's commitment to human rights, to social justice, and accountability, that acknowledge the need for comprehensive reforms in various institutions, including law enforcement, as well as the need to address economic inequalities.

The rapid establishment of commissions to recommend reforms in the judiciary, the election system, the administration, police, the constitution, and Anti-Corruption Commission is commendable, Turk said.

"I understand further commissions are being formed on health, media, labour rights and women's affairs. In my discussions today with several of the commissioners, we discussed the importance of trust-building, inclusivity and the lessons that Bangladesh can draw from experiences in other countries that have grappled with similar issues," he added.

Turk said all these reforms could be a powerful step towards easing decades of intense political division in the country and curbing the patronage politics that have weakened its democratic foundations.

The pursuit of justice for the brutal violence against protestors and other people – including children – killed and seriously wounded in July and August is a priority, he said.

He was encouraged that in many of the discussions, there was a call for enhanced support of his office, including through a strengthened presence.

"We look forward to concluding the discussions on the modalities of our enhanced presence in Bangladesh with the interim government," said the UN rights chief.

The invitation for his office to deploy a fact-finding mission on human rights violations in the context of protests which took place in July and August this year was an important initiative by the interim authorities.

"A stronger presence in Bangladesh will enable my office to accompany and support the transition process in this area and in other areas, including by offering advice on legal, institutional, economic and social reforms, transitional justice, reconciliation, and healing," Turk said.

It is a priority for his office to support this dynamic, diverse country and its people through this period of transition, and to do everything they can to help ensure the protection and promotion of human rights for all in Bangladesh, he said.

The UN team might take a month to submit its report on human rights violations committed from 1 July to 15 August.

Earlier, the UN rights chief received an official invitation from the Chief Adviser to conduct an impartial and independent fact-finding mission into human rights violations committed from 1 July to 15 August.

The office deployed a fact-finding team to Bangladesh, with a view to reporting on violations and abuses perpetrated during the protests, analysing root causes and making recommendations to advance justice and accountability and for longer-term reforms.

Volker Turk made a phone call to Prof Muhammad Yunus in August.

During his recent visit to New York, Prof Yunus sought support from foreign friends for Bangladesh's new journey towards a happy and prosperous future, stressing that they do not want to miss the opportunity to build a new Bangladesh.

As part of an ongoing engagement with the interim government, an advance team of the UN rights body visited Bangladesh from 22-29 August, and met student leaders of the recent protests, as well as advisers in the interim government, the chief justice, senior officers of the police and armed forces, lawyers, journalists and human rights defenders, representatives of political parties, and minority and indigenous communities.