Find a solution: UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to Bangladesh

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has stressed the need to find a solution to the ongoing political impasse in Bangladesh.

Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein made the appeal on Wednesday when foreign minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali met him in Geneva.

The foreign ministry said Bangladesh’s political issues came up during the talks on wide range of human rights issues.

Ali briefed him about the situation and said some of the “BNP-Jamaat’s violence” were “akin” to terrorism pursued ISIS and other radicals.

In the last two months, a relentless blockade and general strikes enforced by BNP-led alliance have led to more than 100 deaths, mostly in fire-bombings.

The minister reiterated government’s “firm commitment to contain the violence and ensure protection for people”.

The High Commissioner advised “exchange of information and to maintain contacts” between his office and the Bangladesh Permanent Mission in Geneva on the situation on a regular basis.

The foreign minister invited him to visit Bangladesh at a convenient time that the foreign ministry said he readily accepted.

Ali said Bangladesh would continue to play its role to uphold the mandate of the UN Human Rights globally.

The foreign minister went to Geneva on a four-day visit on Mar 3.

He spoke at the High Level segment of the 28th session of the UN Human Rights Council on Wednesday, first after Bangladesh elected as a member of this top UN human rights body in last year October.

He also met the director general of the International Organization of Migration (IOM) and handed over $1 million cheque as Bangladesh’s donation for its emergency fund.