The UN rights chief on Monday condemned the violence and repression throughout controversial elections in Bangladesh that have been boycotted by the opposition, urging the nation to strengthen democracy.
Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina secured her fifth time period in energy following Sunday’s vote, after the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) known as a basic strike and, together with dozens of others, refused to take part.
“I implore the federal government to take the required steps to make sure that the human rights of all Bangladeshis are absolutely taken into consideration, and to strengthen the underpinnings of a very inclusive democracy,” Volker Turk mentioned in a press release.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights identified that “hundreds of opposition supporters have been detained arbitrarily or subjected to intimidation”.
“Such techniques usually are not conducive to a very real course of,” he warned.
Hasina has presided over breakneck financial development in a rustic as soon as beset by grinding poverty, however her authorities has been accused of rampant human rights abuses and a ruthless crackdown on dissent.
Turk mentioned that mass arrests, threats, enforced disappearances, blackmailing and surveillance have been all strategies reportedly utilized by legislation enforcement officers within the months main as much as the vote.
He additionally lamented reported acts of political violence, together with arson assaults allegedly dedicated by opposition teams.
“Around 25,000 opposition supporters have been arrested, together with key get together leaders, since October 28,” the assertion mentioned, including that at the very least 10 of them had reportedly died or been killed in custody.
This, it cautioned, raises “severe considerations about potential torture or harsh situations of detention”.
Many rights defenders had in the meantime been pressured to enter hiding and even flee the nation, whereas dozens of individuals had reportedly been victims of enforced disappearances.
“These incidents should be independently investigated, and people accountable should be delivered to justice in honest and clear trials,” Turk mentioned.
“Violations and irregularities throughout the marketing campaign and on election day itself also needs to be completely and successfully investigated.”
The UN rights chief highlighted that “democracy was onerous gained in Bangladesh and should not grow to be beauty”.
“The way forward for all Bangladeshis is at stake.”