A preliminary team of Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) arrive Dhaka on Thursday to discuss the process for investigating human rights violations in light of the recent violence and unrest.
"I'm visiting with a small team this week to really hold some preliminary discussions, exploratory discussions with the government about ways in which our office can support the interim government," Rory Mungoven, chief of the Asia Pacific region at the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva told the journalists following a meeting with the Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen after its arrival in Dhaka.
"This is something we will have to discuss, the modalities, the way this could work, how it could support the national processes going forward. So, it's really too early to conclude how that will be done, but I think our mission will help very much in terms of exploring the ways in which we can support Bangladesh at this time," Mungoven added.
"A team from the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights will be visiting Dhaka from 22 to 29 August 2024 for preliminary discussions with the Interim Government and other stakeholders," said an official at the UN on Thursday.
This is in response to a request from the interim government. Once the details are finalized, a separate fact-finding team will be dispatched in the coming weeks to conduct the investigation, it added.
"Our visit this week is not an investigation. It's really an exploratory visit to discuss with the interim government, with the advisors, with some of the ministries, with the civil society, with this broad section of Bangladesh society, to hear your priorities, your needs going forward and explore some areas where the office of the high commissioner could assist, including in the area of fact-finding and investigation," Mungoven said.
Rory Mungoven, chief of the Asia Pacific region at the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva, is leading the three member team.
The team is expected to meet with several government advisers and civil society members during their visit to gather information.
The move was announced by UN human rights Chief Volker Türk during a recent call with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus. However, the government has expressed its readiness to cooperate with the UN team to ensure a fair and impartial investigation.
UN OHCHR team said the purpose of its visit to Bangladesh is to understand the interim government's priorities for assistance in promoting human rights, not for an investigation.
"This is something we will have to discuss, the modalities, the way this could work, how it could support the national processes going forward. So, it's really too early to conclude how that will be done, but I think our mission will help very much in terms of exploring the ways in which we can support Bangladesh at this time," Mungoven added.
"People of Bangladesh, at this historic time, let me just say that the high commissioner for human rights, Volker Turk, is really inspired by the courage and commitment to democracy and human rights of the Bangladesh people, particularly the students and particularly the youth.
"And he sees this as a historic opportunity for the country in restoring democracy, renewing institutions, advancing human rights, and he wants the office to support the interim government, civil society, people of Bangladesh, in any way that we can," the UN official said.
"I know the international community really supports the people of Bangladesh in achieving human rights and renewal of democracy through this very, very historic time."
"It is important to note that this visit is not an investigation, but rather it will focus on discussing the process for investigating human rights violations in light of the recent violence and unrest, said the official," said an official at the UN on Thursday. However, the purpose of this visit is to understand their priorities for assistance in promoting human rights.
The High Commissioner has conveyed admiration, solidarity, and support to the people of Bangladesh, particularly the youth, as they work towards advancing human rights for all.
The High Commissioner is fully committed to supporting the interim government and the people of Bangladesh in a successful transition that enhances the protection of human rights.
The team is expected to meet with several government advisers and civil society members during their visit to gather information.
The move was announced by UN human rights Chief Volker Turk during a recent call with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus.
The government has expressed its readiness to cooperate with the UN team to ensure a fair and impartial investigation.
Earlier, UN Resident Coordinator in Dhaka, Gwyn Lewis, met with Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain to discuss the mission.
She mentioned that the team will include technical experts who will begin the initial fact-finding process.
"The mandate, details, and how the team will collaborate with the government are still to be agreed upon," Lewis told reporters after the meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
"This is in response to a request from the interim government. Once the details are finalized, a separate fact-finding team will be dispatched in the coming weeks to conduct the investigation," the UN Human Rights Office said.
UN team in Dhaka to probe rights violations during recent violence
They will continue their mission in line with the activities they intend to achieve, said an official on Thursday.
A preliminary UN OHCHR team is in Dhaka to discuss ways to support the procedures for investigating human rights violations in the context of recent violence and unrest.
Earlier, UN Resident Coordinator in Dhaka, Gwyn Lewis, met with Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain to discuss the mission.
She mentioned that the team will include technical experts who will begin the initial fact-finding process.
"The mandate, details, and how the team will collaborate with the government are still to be agreed upon," Lewis told reporters after the meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
