TDS Desk:

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said on Wednesday that the independent UN Fact-Finding Mission, which is investigating atrocities committed during the July mass uprising, aims to finalise its report by the first week of December.

He made this statement during a meeting with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus at his office in Tejgaon, Dhaka, reports BSS.

Shafiqul Alam, press secretary to the chief adviser, briefed reporters about the meeting at the Foreign Service Academy later in the evening.

The UN rights chief updated the chief adviser on the mission’s work and his discussions in Dhaka with various advisers, the chief of Army Staff, heads of reform commissions, students, and other officials.

Türk also addressed the activities of the International Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh, which is currently investigating serious crimes and crimes against humanity committed during the uprising, as well as the functions of the reform commissions established by the interim government to implement meaningful institutional reforms.

“There are many issues that need addressing,” he remarked, adding that he has also engaged with members of the Inquiry Commission looking into numerous cases of enforced disappearances that occurred during the previous regime. Türk mentioned that his office is providing support to the Inquiry Commission.

He further urged the chief adviser to bolster the National Human Rights Commission, ensuring it is “independent” and “fully functional.” Türk expressed the UN rights agency’s desire to enhance its presence in Dhaka.

In response, Chief Adviser Prof  Yunus thanked the UN rights chief for his visit and for the support extended during the uprising. “The people of Bangladesh appreciate your visit and are grateful for your assistance,” he stated.

Prof Yunus reaffirmed his government’s commitment to upholding the human rights of all citizens and ensuring that development and human rights progress together. He emphasised that his administration would not “repeat” the mistakes and crimes of the previous government

The discussions also encompassed the Rohingya crisis, particularly the recent influx of tens of thousands of Rohingya refugees fleeing violence in Myanmar. Türk called for increased international support for the Rohingya and sustained efforts to resolve the crisis.

The chief adviser requested UN assistance in establishing a safe zone in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, allowing internally displaced individuals to remain close to their homes.

Both dignitaries advocated for a robust role for ASEAN in order to inject some dynamism into this regional issue and work towards an early sustainable solution.

According to a report from UNB, the UN rights chief received an official invitation from the chief adviser to conduct an impartial and independent fact-finding mission regarding human rights violations that occurred between 1 July and 15 August.

The office has deployed a fact-finding team to Bangladesh to investigate violations and abuses committed during the protests, analyse root causes, and make recommendations aimed at advancing justice, accountability, and longer-term reforms.

Volker Türk had previously communicated with Chief Adviser Prof Yunus via phone in August. During a recent visit to New York, Yunus sought support from international allies for Bangladesh’s new journey towards a prosperous future, emphasising the importance of seizing the opportunity to build a new Bangladesh.

As part of ongoing engagement with the interim government, an advance team from the UN rights body visited Bangladesh from 22 to 29 August, meeting with student leaders of the recent protests, interim government advisers, the Chief Justice, senior police and armed forces officers, lawyers, journalists, human rights defenders, as well as representatives from political parties and minority and indigenous communities.