UN human rights body to open 3-year office in Bangladesh

“There has been remarkable progress on the discussion (between the interim government and the UN Human Rights Office). The Council of Advisers, in principle, approved the draft MoU today (Sunday),” Law Affairs Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul told reporters at the Foreign Service Academy.

While briefing reporters on the outcomes of the meeting, the Adviser said the office will be established in Bangladesh primarily for three years.

If the two sides think that it is necessary to renew, the renewal of the MoU can be considered, he added.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam was also present at the media briefing. 

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN Human Rights) is the leading UN entity on human rights.

The Law Adviser said they – a few advisers - will further examine the draft MoU and the final text of the draft MoU will be sent to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk.

Once they (UN side) agree, Asif Nazrul said, they hope to sign the MoU as soon as possible and based on the signed MoU, an office will be established here.

The Law Adviser hoped that Bangladesh’s local agencies which are dealing with the human rights issues, together with the UN office, will play an important role if there is any case of severe human rights violation in the country.

A milestone was the interim government’s invitation to the OHCHR for an independent fact-finding mission following the July–August unrest.

The UN Fact-Finding Mission last year submitted a report on the human rights violations highlighting the events of July and August last year.

The report said about 1400 people were killed during the July-August uprising and in the aftermath.

The UN Human Rights Office will soon establish an office in Bangladesh to support the country that is going through reforms in various sectors including political, bureaucratic, police and judicial sectors. 

"We understand from the government that a MoU is finalised. We are waiting to sign it soon. That means we will be able to open an Office of the Human Commissioner for Human Rights soon to support a lot of processes that are underway," said United Nations Resident Coordinator (UNRC) in Bangladesh Gwyn Lewis on June 4.

Since becoming a member of the United Nations in 1974, Bangladesh has consistently demonstrated strong support for peace and international cooperation, reports UNB.