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Published : 06 Mar 2025, 02:25 AM
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has said the human rights violations, including killings and disappearances, enforced during the mass uprising in Bangladesh, could be tried not only in domestic courts but also in the International Criminal Court.
Speaking at a presentation of the UN’s report on the July-August uprising in Geneva on Wednesday, Türk said: “The process of truth-telling and accountability is essential for Bangladesh to move forward, and indeed, some work has already begun.
“Alongside domestic judicial processes, international law could also apply. If the Bangladesh government wishes, they can take the matter to the International Criminal Court,” he added.
The UN rights chief advised that, alongside the ongoing legal and institutional reform efforts, it is also crucial to overhaul and dismantle the repressive laws and institutions that have been in place for far too long.
Regarding the use of force during the protests, Türk said: “Reasonable ground to believe certain crimes against humanity committed directed against protesters and their supporters.”
The report on human rights violations in Bangladesh from Jul 1 to Aug 15, 2024, was published by the UN Human Rights Commission on Feb 12.
Then, Türk highlighted different aspects of the report at a press conference in Geneva.
On Wednesday, a discussion on the report took place in Geneva with the presence of government representatives, civil society, and affected families.
Among the participants were Law Advisor Asif Nazrul, Farhana Sharmin Emu, organiser of the platform formed by architects for the treatment of injured protesters, and others.
A part of the forensic analysis of the shooting incident on Aug 5, 2024, outside the Jatrabari Police Station, titled "Jatrabari: An Evidence of a Massacre," was also displayed at the event.
Information Adviser Mahfuj Alam was present at the event.
The UN Human Rights Commission investigation team carried out a probe in Bangladesh in September 2024 at the request of the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus.
The investigation team was headed by Rory Mungoven, chief of the Asia-Pacific region at the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, or UNCHR.
The team included a human rights investigator, a forensic physician, and a weapons expert, according to the UN.
Türk highlighted that the report mentions the direct orders from former prime minister Hasina.
He said, "We believed the former government officials, members of the security and intelligence apparatus, and violent elements associated with the former ruling party had committed serious, organised, and systematic human rights violations.
"These violations include hundreds of extrajudicial killings, extensive arbitrary arrests and detention, poor treatment of children, as well as gender-based violence."
The UN rights chief continued, “We know there was Knowledge, coordination and direction of the former political leadership and senior security sector officials with the specific goal of suppressing the protests and keeping the former government’s grip on power.”
Türk said the international community can support Bangladesh through victim-centred reparation programmes, compensation, long-term medical treatment, rehabilitation care, and livelihood opportunities for the victims.
He called on the interim government to assist in increasing the UN Human Rights Commission's presence in Bangladesh by allowing the opening of an office in Dhaka.
