UNITED NATIONS, Aug 6 (IPS) – After weeks of violent clashes with protesters, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has resigned of her position and fled the country on Monday. Preparations are underway for an interim government to take over with the support of the military, political parties, student leaders of the protest movement and all other groups involved in the transition. A UN spokesman has urged that all parties involved in the current transition must work together to ensure a peaceful and democratic transition.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres is closely monitoring developments, his deputy spokesman, Farhan Haq, said in a rack In a statement issued Monday, Guterres condemned and regretted the “further loss of life” during the weekend protests, citing protests held in the capital Dhaka on Sunday. More than 100 people were reported dead, including at least 14 police officers. It is the highest recorded death toll for a single day during a protest in the country’s recent history, Reuters reported.
Speaking at the daily press conference at UN headquarters, Haq said the United Nations stands in full solidarity with the people of Bangladesh and has called for full respect for their human rights. Haq added: “For us, it is important that the parties remain calm, and we want to emphasize on a peaceful, orderly and democratic transition.”
“Ultimately, given what has happened so far, there is a need for a full, independent, impartial and transparent investigation into the violence that has taken place so far,” he said.
As the situation continues to evolve, Haq added, the UN and its office in Bangladesh are in contact with authorities on the ground. “The situation is changing very quickly. We will have to wait and see what happens once the dust settles.”
What began as a movement to protest government recruitment practices has since grown into a larger movement protesting the government’s crackdown, which it says has undermined human rights including freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly. On August 4, protesters called for Hasina’s resignation after her government’s response to the month-long protests. In recent weeks, police and military units have opened fire on protesters and civilians, imposed curfews, and shut down internet and communications networks for several days.
In an address to the nation on Monday, Chief of Army Staff General Waker-uz-Zaman Hasina announced her resignation and the formation of the interim government. He also asked the people of Bangladesh to “keep faith in the army” during this period.
As several reports of public vandalism and arson in government buildings and homes were received, Zaman said said in a later statement that the public should refrain from causing damage to public property or harming lives.
High-level officials in the UN system have publicly condemned the loss of life during this period. UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay has issued public statements condemning the killings of twojournalists and call on authorities to hold those responsible to account.
Sanjay Wijisekera, UNICEF Regional Director for South Asia, convicted the reported deaths of 32 children as of August 2, along with reports of children being detained. “In line with international human rights law and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which Bangladesh is a signatory, and based on research on the impact of detention on children, UNICEF urges an end to child detention in all its forms,” he said.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk issued a statement rack On Monday he called for a peaceful transfer of power, with human rights and the country’s international obligations at the forefront.
“The transition must be conducted in a transparent and accountable manner, and be inclusive and open to the meaningful participation of all Bangladeshis,” he said. “There must be no further violence or reprisals.”
Türk called for the release of those arbitrarily detained. He stressed that those who committed human rights violations must be held accountable, while also reiterating that his office would support any independent investigation into these violations.
“This is a time for national healing, including an immediate end to the violence, but also through accountability and the rights of victims to truth and reparations, and a truly inclusive process that brings the country together as we move forward.”
IPS UN Office Report
© Inter Press Service (2024) — All rights reservedOriginal source: Inter Press Service
