The Human Rights Council-appointed specialists’ name follows on from the election victory of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina earlier this month, who secured a controversial fourth time period with the primary opposition occasion deciding to boycott the ballot.
Ms. Hasina and her Awami League occasion received 223 of the 300 parliamentary seats being contested amid violent protests that left scores useless, together with some opposition occasion members.
Round 25,000 opposition leaders and supporters have been arrested, whereas some have been tortured and denied therapy, stated the rights specialists. Journalists and different media employees have been additionally attacked.
Some voters have been reportedly pressured to forged their ballots by ruling occasion members and threatened with violence and lack of their social safety advantages in the event that they failed to take action.
There have been no unbiased investigations into the allegations, the specialists famous.
Alarming state of affairs
“We’re alarmed at reviews that widespread assaults, harassment and intimidation of civil society, human rights defenders, journalists, and political activists, which marred the latest elections,” the unbiased specialists said.
They’ve written to the Authorities, urging officers to conduct full, immediate and unbiased investigations into the quite a few allegations of rights abuses and violations.
“We urge the Authorities to prioritize human rights reforms in its new work programme and to create an enabling surroundings for the free and secure train of basic freedoms and political participation, to revive public belief within the democratic course of,” they stated.
This is able to additionally reassure overseas traders within the Bangladesh financial system and ship a transparent message to the world that it’s dedicated to upholding its worldwide authorized obligations, the specialists added.
Motion factors
The specialists known as on the authorities to Instantly and unconditionally launch all civil society and political activists detained with out cost, guarantee truthful trials, and convey about “substantial reforms” to ensure the integrity and independence of the judicial system.
In addition they underscored the necessity to guarantee freedom of expression and of affiliation, in addition to respect for a pluralistic, numerous and unbiased media.
Unbiased specialists
The specialists voicing their concern included Particular Rapporteurs on the liberty of peaceable meeting, on the independence of judges and legal professionals, on human rights defenders, and on the liberty of opinion and expression.
The Chair and members of the Working Group on arbitrary detention additionally joined the decision for reform.
Particular Rapporteurs, Working Group members, and different unbiased specialists are appointed by the UN Human Rights Council and type a part of its Special Procedures.
They’re mandated to watch and report on particular thematic points or nation conditions and work on a voluntary foundation. They serve of their particular person capability; aren’t UN employees and don’t obtain a wage.
