UN human rights chief offers Bangladesh support to counter election misinformation

Yunus raises concerns over fake news targeting the Feb 12 election

Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has sought assistance from the United Nations human rights office to counter a “surge” of misinformation surrounding the Feb 12 elections, his office said.

During a phone conversation with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on Tuesday, Yunus said false information was spreading rapidly through both foreign media and local platforms, particularly on social media.

“There has been a flood of misinformation surrounding the elections,” he said. “Fake news, rumours and speculation are being circulated, and we are concerned about the impact this may have on the polls.”

Türk said he was aware of the growing challenge and offered the full support of the UN human rights office.

“There is a lot of misinformation. We will do whatever is needed,” he said, adding that the UN rights agency would work closely with Bangladesh to address the issue.

According to the statement, the discussion also covered the referendum, institutional reforms, the work of the Inquiry Commission on Enforced Disappearance, the formation of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), and the global geopolitical situation.

Türk stressed the importance of establishing “a truly independent” NHRC to continue work related to enforced disappearances.

In response, Yunus said the NHRC ordinance has already been promulgated and that the commission would be reconstituted before the national polls.

“We will do it before we leave,” he said.

The chief advisor also said he had shared the final report of the disappearance inquiry with the UN high commissioner, describing it as a key document for ensuring accountability and justice for victims of enforced disappearances during the “autocratic regime” from 2009 to 2024.

Türk praised the chief advisor’s initiatives over the past year and a half, noting continued UN support for the commission’s work.