Dhaka: The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has recommended conducting fair investigations into extrajudicial killings during the July uprising in Bangladesh and suspending officials facing credible allegations of serious human rights violations.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the UN agency suggests ensuring effective, fair, impartial, and comprehensive investigations into extrajudicial killings, torture, enforced disappearances, and other human rights abuses, including incidents predating the 2024 quota protests. This recommendation is part of the OHCHR’s recent report, ‘Human Rights Violations and Abuses related to the Protests of July and August 2024 in Bangladesh.’
The OHCHR report emphasizes the necessity for accountability, urging that those responsible, including individuals in command or leadership positions, be held accountable according to law and consistent with international standards. It also stresses the importance of providing victims with access to effective remedies and reparation.
The report calls for the compilation and preservation of relevant evidence, including official orders, internal documents, and forensic evidence. It also recommends immediate disciplinary and criminal justice measures against those attempting to destroy or conceal evidence.
Pending the enactment of comprehensive witness protection laws, the OHCHR advises establishing an independent victim and witness protection program and initiating strict disciplinary measures against witness intimidation. The agency further recommends reforms to ensure that serious human rights violations are prosecuted in regular courts.
The UN agency also suggests suspending officials accused of serious human rights violations pending independent investigations and, if necessary, prosecution. It calls for a nationwide dialogue to develop a transitional justice model that includes criminal justice, victim-centered processes, truth-seeking, reparation, and memorialization.
Further recommendations include establishing an independent public prosecution service, ensuring the independence and impartiality of the judiciary, and providing the justice sector with adequate funding and staff. The report also calls for support to the National Commission on Enforced Disappearances and closing clandestine detention facilities.
The OHCHR report underscores the need to address ongoing concerns related to Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal and the retention of the death penalty.