“Govt to consider only technical aid from UN to probe quota carnage”

“Govt to consider only technical aid from UN to probe quota carnage”

Dhaka, Aug 01 - Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen on Thursday said, the government first wants to see the outcome of the investigation being carried out by the judicial inquiry commission instead of engaging anything parallel to that.

“We want them (Commission) to work and complete their process,” Masud told reporters after briefing the development partners at a state guesthouse.

PM's Press Secretary M Nayeemul Islam Khan also joined the briefing and responded to reporters queries.

The foreign secretary, however, said, they will surely consider taking technical-related assistance from the United Nations to that end.

“We are hopeful that they (Inquiry Commission) will fairly, impartially and transparently investigate each incident to hold the responsible persons accountable and bring them to justice,” he added.

Masud’s comments came after UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk said his office is also available to deploy an independent fact-finding team, which would assist in building trust among all stakeholders and to help de-escalate tensions.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday said, the United Nations and any country can send their experts for proper investigation of every incident of violence related to the quota reform movement.

“I want everything to be investigated. Because, it needs to be found out what happened behind it and how these happened. I’ve appealed to the United Nations to send their experts. If any other country wants, they can send their experts too,” she said.

The foreign secretary said, the government already responded to the 14 foreign missions who wrote to Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud recently.

“We have addressed their issues in the reply,” he said, adding that today the development partners wanted to know more about freedom of assembly, and wanted to know whether any force is being applied or anyone is arrested.

Masud Momen said, there was no problem where people were protesting peacefully but there were some problems in some places where the people tried to create disruptions going beyond peaceful atmosphere.   

Earlier, he said, the judicial inquiry commission has been tasked to investigate the whole period expanding the terms and conditions from the initial decision.

The government said, it remains committed to “hold accountable” through proper investigation all those responsible for each incident of death among students and the ensuing terrorist acts involving killings, arson, vandalism, subversion and sabotage.-UNB