DHAKA: United Nations human rights high commissioner Volker Turk has called for investigations of all recent killings in Bangladesh and highlighted the importance of freedom of assembly, expression and political participation.
“When it comes to any killings, they need to be investigated irrespective of the perpetrators. We cannot allow killings to happen with impunity,” he told reporters in Dhaka, wrapping up his two-day visit to Bangladesh on Wednesday.
Turk met Bangladesh interim govt chief adviser Muhammad Yunus and foreign affairs adviser Md Touhid Hossain before facing the press. Turk told Yunus that the UN fact-finding mission, which is investigating atrocities committed during the July-Aug mass uprising, would hopefully finalise its report by the first week of Dec. He said transitions are always fraught with risk and this is all the more pronounced for vulnerable groups. “I commend the efforts made by students and others to protect minorities,” he said.
“Our fact-finding mission is investigating allegations of attacks against minorities between Aug 5 and 15,” Turk said, adding that it is vital the authorities respond quickly to incidents reported by conducting thorough investigations and holding the perpetrators accountable. He said this will help build trust with minorities communities.
Turk 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.
