Dhaka: Bangladesh’s interim Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has called for the meticulous preservation of records concerning alleged human rights violations during the tenure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Speaking at a meeting with United Nations officials , Yunus emphasized that ensuring justice and uncovering the truth is challenging without a well-maintained archive system.
According to a statement from the Chief Adviser’s press wing, Yunus highlighted incidents such as the crackdown on protesters at Shapla Chattar, the police response following the Delwar Hossain Sayedee verdict, and reports of extrajudicial killings over the years. He urged international bodies to assist in documenting these events to ensure transparency and accountability.
During the discussion, UN Resident Coordinator Gwen Lewis and UN human rights expert Huma Khan reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting Bangladesh in recording human rights violations. “This is a process of healing and truth-building,” Lewis said, pointing to the UN’s experience in capacity-building and technical support in similar cases worldwide.
Yunus also acknowledged the UN’s recent fact-finding report on human rights abuses following the July–August 2024 political turmoil that led to Hasina’s departure to India and the fall of the Awami League government after 15 years in power. According to Lewis, the report will be presented by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk on March 5 at the Human Rights Council session in Geneva.
“We are very pleased that the UN has published this report; it is timely,” Yunus remarked, stressing the importance of international oversight in ensuring justice for victims of past abuses.
The meeting also addressed the ongoing Rohingya refugee crisis, with Lewis expressing concern over dwindling global aid. She noted that sustaining food and essential supplies for the refugees requires at least $15 million per month. The discussion comes ahead of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ scheduled visit to Bangladesh from March 13 to 16, which Lewis believes will help refocus international attention on the refugee situation.
The developments highlight Bangladesh’s shifting political landscape and growing international scrutiny over past governance practices, with calls for transparency and justice gaining momentum.
