UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, said the political unrest and reports of violence against minorities in Bangladesh were very concerning, and added that those who don’t belong to the ‘majority’ should feel safe in every country.
“Yes, we’re very concerned about the violence that we’ve seen in Bangladesh,” said Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, at the daily press briefing on Monday.
On the lynching of a Hindu man, Dipu Chandra Das, a 25-year-old garment factory worker, on December 18 in Bangladesh, Dujarric said minorities should be made to feel safe, no matter where they were.
“Whether it’s in Bangladesh or any other country, people who don’t belong to the ‘majority’ need to feel safe, and all Bangladeshis need to feel safe. And we’re confident that the Government will do what it can to keep every single Bangladeshi safe,” he said.
Two more persons were arrested on Sunday in connection with Das’s lynching over alleged blasphemy in Baluka in Mymensingh. So far, 12 people have been held for their alleged involvement in the murder, reported a local daily, quoting police and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) sources.
Meanwhile, UN Human Rights Chief, Volker Turk, also addressed the ongoing unrest in the country, saying he was deeply troubled by the killing of Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, a student leader from Bangladesh, who died of injuries after being shot last week.
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Turk called for calm and for everyone to refrain from violence, saying “retaliation and revenge will only deepen divisions and undermine the rights of all”.
“I urge the authorities to conduct a prompt, impartial, thorough and transparent investigation into the attack that led to Hadi’s death, and to ensure due process and accountability for those responsible,” he had said.
With the country’s parliamentary elections scheduled for February, Turk said it was vital to ensure an environment in which all individuals can participate safely and peacefully in public life, and freely express different views.
“I urge the authorities to uphold the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and security of journalists at this critical time, and prevent further escalation of unrest,” he added.
The High Commissioner said his Office stands ready to work with the authorities and all stakeholders to support efforts that uphold human rights and prevent further violence.
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