The UN human rights body has urged the authorities in Bangladesh to carry out “prompt, independent, impartial and effective” investigations into all alleged acts of violence and human rights violations related to the December 30 elections.
The rights body also laid emphasis on holding accountable those responsible, regardless of their political affiliations.
“We also call on the National Human Rights Commission (Bangladesh) to play an independent and proactive role,” said Ravina Shamdasani, Spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, in a briefing note in Geneva on Friday.
Global support kept flowing on Awami League President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on her party’s third consecutive win with absolute majority in 11the national election held on December 30.
HM Ershad-led Jatiya Party bagged 22 seats while BNP-led Jatiya Oikyafront got only seven seats. Independent candidates won three.
“We call on the authorities to take urgent measures to prevent further reprisals, and to ensure that law enforcement authorities exercise their powers strictly in accordance with the rule of law and principles of legality and proportionality,” said the Spokesperson at the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights which is the leading UN entity on human rights.
Ravina said they are concerned about violence and alleged human rights violations in Bangladesh before, during and after the recent elections on 30 December.
She said there are worrying indications that reprisals have continued to take place, notably against the political opposition, including physical attacks and ill-treatment, arbitrary arrests, harassment, disappearances and filing of criminal cases.The Spokesperson laid emphasis on unhindered freedom of expression in the country.