The United Nations’ Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has said that they are deeply concerned by a series of violent incidents during ongoing protests in Bangladesh.
In a ‘press briefing notes’ on ‘Bangladesh political protests’ posted on its website on Tuesday, the OHCHR said, ‘On 28 October, opposition protesters allegedly attacked the residences of the Chief Justice and other judges, and approximately 30 journalists were assaulted by protesters and masked individuals riding on motorcycles, who are thought to have been ruling party supporters.’
‘As the country heads towards elections, we call on all political actors to make clear that such violence is unacceptable and to avoid any statements or actions that could constitute incitement to violence,’ the OHCHR said.
It said that, as of Tuesday, at least 11 people have died in connection with the protests in many parts of the country and ‘among the dead are two policemen, six opposition party staff members and two bystanders’.
‘In responding to the protests, police have reportedly attacked protesters with rods, batons, rubber bullets and sound grenades. They have also raided the homes of opposition activists across the country, indiscriminately arresting and detaining hundreds, including the activists’ family members,’ the OHCHR said.
It urged the Bangladesh police to ensure that force was only used when strictly necessary and, if so, in full compliance with the principles of legality, precaution and proportionality.
On October 30, the opposition BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir was arrested and charged under the Explosive Substances Act in connection with the alleged arson attack on the Chief Justice’s residence, it mentioned and added, ‘several other senior opposition leaders are reported to have gone into hiding for fear of arrest.’
‘We urge the Government to observe the greatest restraint to curb political tensions at this critical time, and to take steps to ensure that human rights are fully upheld, for all Bangladeshis, before, during and after the elections,’ the OHCHR said.
