In a fervent appeal to the United Nations, European Parliamentarian Ivan Štefanec has issued a stark call for action against ongoing human rights violations in Bangladesh. In a letter addressed to Under-Secretary-General Lacroix, Štefanec said, 'Arbitrary detention, torture, enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings are some of the shocking crimes Bangladeshis are being subjected to. The security forces of Bangladesh, including the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Detective Branch of the Police (D.B.), Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) and National Security Intelligence (NSI), are involved in these human rights violations.'

The letter also mentioned, 'There were at least 2,757 cases of extrajudicial killings committed by the Bangladeshi law enforcement agencies between 2008 to 2021. Human Rights Watch (HRW) reports provide information about these crimes. On 7th January 2024, there was a parliament election in Bangladesh, and before the election, law enforcement agencies had arrested almost 30,000 opposition activists in Bangladesh. They were also involved in the vote fraud in Bangladesh.' 

Citing compelling evidence of atrocities, including arbitrary detention, torture, and extrajudicial killings, perpetrated by Bangladeshi security forces, Štefanec's letter highlighted the urgent need for intervention. It said, 'We are concerned that individuals who have served RAB and D.B. police are being sent on U.N. missions, despite consistent and credible evidence of abuses including extrajudicial killings, torture, and enforced disappearances by the members of this unit.'

Furthermore, echoing the sentiments of international bodies, Štefanec pointed to the alarming reality that senior members of Bangladesh's ruling party are complicit in exacerbating human rights abuses against ordinary citizens and political dissenters.

Štefanec advocates excluding Bangladeshi military officials from U.N. peacekeeping deployments, citing the imperative of upholding human rights and preserving the credibility and effectiveness of U.N. missions. It said, 'We strongly believe that the U.N.'s peacekeeping efforts should not include personnel from forces that have exhibited a track record of human rights abuses. Inclusion of such individuals not only undermines the credibility of the U.N. but also poses a direct threat to the safety and security of the communities that peacekeeping operations are designed to protect.'

In an unwavering stance, Štefanec advocated for the exclusion of Bangladeshi military officials from U.N. peacekeeping deployments, asserting that it would "send a clear message to the international community about the U.N.'s commitment to upholding human rights" Furthermore, the letter stated that the step would 'also act as a powerful deterrent to future human rights abuses within Bangladesh'.