UN rights chief calls for end to protest crackdowns in BD

Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

25 July 2024 - On Thursday, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights called on the Bangladeshi Government to provide explicit details about last week's protest crackdowns and increased violence to ensure that law enforcement adheres to international human rights standards. 

Over the past few weeks, students in Bangladesh have been protesting against the Government to demand an end to the quota system for government jobs amid rising unemployment. As demonstrations continued, there were eruptions of violence which led to death and the closure of public and private universities.

Deaths, injuries and arrests

Latest reports indicate that over 170 people have died, and over a thousand have been injured. Two journalists reportedly were killed, and many others injured, while hundreds of people were arrested amidst the protests. 

The High Commissioner, Volker Türk, said many people were subjected to violence by groups reportedly affiliated with the government and there was no effort to protect these people.

“In order to begin to rebuild gravely-damaged public trust and create an environment conducive to public dialogue on the underlying concerns that led to this wave of violence, I urge the Government to ensure that all operations of law enforcement agencies are conducted strictly in line with international human rights norms and standards, particularly regarding the policing of protests, including use of force,” he said.

Restore internet access

Mr. Türk also called on the Government to restore internet access to civilians after it was shut down last Thursday to allow journalists and media outlets to communicate freely in line with international law.

“Blunt measures such as a blanket deliberate Internet shutdown for a prolonged period contravene international law, affecting States’ obligations to respect freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly, as well as a wide range of other rights, including freedom of association and of movement, the rights to health and education, and a number of economic rights,” the High Commissioner said.

He further noted that internet shutdowns can reduce public scrutiny of law enforcement agencies, increasing the risk of “impunity for their actions.”

UN experts call to action

Four independent UN human rights experts also called on the Bangladeshi government to end violent crackdowns and restore internet access as student protests continue.

The Special Rapporteurs expressed that they are alarmed by the number of killings, arrests and threats.

“We call on the authorities to immediately release all peaceful protesters and ensure due process for those charged and prosecuted in connection with their role in the violence,” they said.

“Prompt, thorough, independent and impartial investigations in line with internationally recognised standards must be carried out into all human rights violations,” they added.

Supreme Court ruling 

The UN High Commissioner said that the Bangladesh Supreme Court’s ruling on Sunday to “narrow the quota system for government jobs” which set off the protests, “may open space for confidence-building, leading to meaningful and inclusive dialogue to address underlying issues and grievances.”

Mr. Türk is encouraging politicians there to “avoid any statements or actions that could constitute incitement to violence or lead to a further crackdown on dissent.”

The experts said the court’s recent decision is important but will not be enough enough  to restore people’s trust and confidence in the government. 

“To regain public trust, the Government needs to take responsibility and ensure a credible process of investigation and accountability to hold perpetrators to account,” they said. 

The experts are said to be in contact with the Bangladesh government about this matter.

Role of rapporteurs

Special Rapporteurs and other UN Human Rights Council-appointed experts are independent of any government or organization.

They serve in their individual capacity and do not receive any payment for their work. – UN News

Meanwhile, A group of UN experts on Thursday said the government of Bangladesh needs to fully restore the Internet and access to social media immediately and ensure that local and foreign media are granted full access to report on the developments without being attacked, threatened or pressured, UNB reported.“The State must uphold people’s right to information. Total transparency and accuracy on the numbers of those detained, forcibly disappeared, killed or subjected to other human rights violations, as well as careful preservation of evidence is essential to ensuring accountability and restoring public trust,” the experts said.They warned that while a recent decision by the courts to scale back the controversial quota system was an important step in the right direction, it will not be sufficient to restore the people’s trust and confidence in the government.“To regain public trust, the Government needs to take responsibility and ensure a credible process of investigation and accountability to hold perpetrators to account,” the experts said. They are in contact with the Government of Bangladesh on this matter.The experts are Cecilia Bailliet, Independent Expert on human rights and international solidarity, George Katrougalos, Independent expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order, Morris Tidball-Binz, Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Margaret Satterthwaite, Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, Irene Khan, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, Surya Deva, Special Rapporteur on the right to development, Farida Shaheed, Special Rapporteur on the right to education, Gina Romero, Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, Mary Lawlor, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Aua Baldé (Chair-Rapporteur), Gabriella Citroni (Vice-Chair), Grażyna Baranowska, and Ana Lorena Delgadillo Pérez,  Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances.On July 18, 2024 the authorities shut down broadband and mobile Internet, preventing access to websites, social media and web-based mobile phone communications. This measure drastically restricted news coverage and access to information, said the UN experts.Mobile phone communication has also been disrupted, effectively cutting off the country from the outside world. Broadband Internet was restored in select areas on 23 July.“Prompt, thorough, independent and impartial investigations in line with internationally recognised standards must be carried out into all human rights violations,” the experts said.