UN Urges BD to Drop Cases Against Journalists, Rights Defenders

In a recent report, the UN agency urged, "Withdraw all pending criminal cases against journalists, lawyers, trade unionists, civil society activists, and other human rights defenders related to activities protected by international human rights law, including freedoms of expression and peaceful assembly."

The call came after the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) released its Fact-Finding Report, titled "Human Rights Violations and Abuses Related to the Protests of July and August 2024 in Bangladesh," from its Geneva office on February 12.

The OHCHR further urged Bangladesh’s authorities to direct security forces to immediately halt unlawful surveillance of journalists, political party supporters, trade unionists, civil society activists, and human rights defenders.

“Take necessary steps to effectively protect them from retaliatory violence, and investigate and prosecute the perpetrators of such attacks, while facilitating civil claims for damages, including for attacks on private property,” the report emphasized.

The UN rights office also recommended the initiation of an independent public inquiry into surveillance activities conducted by state security forces, urging the publication of its findings. Additionally, it called for the closure of the National Telecommunications Monitoring Centre and the implementation of strict guidelines ensuring that surveillance operations by security agencies comply with Bangladesh's international human rights law obligations.

The OHCHR proposed amendments to the Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulation Act, which has been used as the legal basis for widespread, unchecked surveillance. It also recommended imposing a moratorium on internet shutdowns until revisions to the Act are made. The UN report stressed that any future internet shutdowns or blocking of websites should be subject to clear criteria, transparency, and independent oversight to ensure they are legitimate, necessary, and proportional in a democratic society.

The OHCHR also recommended reforms to the National Human Rights Commission Act of 2009 to bring the Commission into full compliance with the Paris Principles, with the aim of strengthening public trust.

The UN urged that the Commission’s mandate be expanded to include investigating allegations against military, police, paramilitary, and intelligence officials, and that it be provided with adequate financial and human resources to operate effectively, impartially, and independently.

Finally, the OHCHR called for an immediate moratorium on arrests, investigations, or prosecutions based on overly broad criminal provisions, such as those found in the Cyber Security Act 2023, the Official Secrecy Act, the Anti-Terrorism Act, and the criminal defamation provisions of the Penal Code, which have been used historically to suppress critical media and dissent.