Dhaka,
Aug 19 (UNB) - The International Crimes Strategy Forum (ICSF) has urged the UN
rights body to investigate events which took place both before and after August
5.
The ICSF has written a
letter to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk seeking his
initiative in this regard.
"Given the UN's
intention to help Bangladesh with the transition, we believe that the
investigations should look into the events which took place both before and
after August 5," the letter reads.
The organisation
mentioned the killings of students and other civilians, the targeted attacks
on, and killings of, law enforcement agents (LEAs), the revenge attacks on, and
killings of, people affiliated with the party led by the former Prime Minister,
targeted attacks on religious minorities, indiscriminate attacks on culture and
heritage, attacks on free speech and press freedom, targeted attacks on
genocide researchers, cultural activists, free thinkers, attacks on judicial
independence, purge of academics and officials of a certain political ideology
by unruly mobs, breach of constitutional processes, and the widespread
destruction of state properties.
The OHCHR is sending a
team to Dhaka to explore areas for assisting Bangladesh's transition and
discuss the modalities for an investigation into human rights violations in the
context of the recent violence and unrest.
The ICSF welcomed this
offer of assistance from the OHCHR.
It is imperative that
the events of the last month or so in Bangladesh be investigated by a neutral
and impartial authority.
"We believe that
without such international oversight and/or involvement, the investigations
could be non-transparent, incomplete and lack the necessary credibility,"
ICSF said.
ICSF's Concerns and
Suggestions Regarding UN's potential involvement:
1. Given the continuous
and connected chain of events over the last four weeks or so, the UN should not
limit its investigations with any arbitrary cut-off date. We learnt from media
reports that the Law Advisor of the Interim Government Dr. Asif Nazrul wants
the UN to look into events "only" up to August 5, 2024.
2. The UN should
disclose, in advance, the methodology to be used for conducting the
investigations. This is crucial as, given the prevalent climate in Bangladesh,
unless proactively approached by the UN with guarantees of security, many
stakeholders and/or witnesses may not feel safe enough to come forward to offer
their insights, testimonies, and/or evidence. In any event, the investigation
should not be limited to the interviews of a few people or analysis of media
reports alone. Rather, the UN should consult all affected groups (including
LEAs and security forces), conduct forensic examinations, collect and analyse
audio visual and ballistic evidence etc. Additionally, the UN should be weary
of disinformation and misinformation, and should be cautious regarding the
authenticity of each and every evidence.
3. In order for the
investigations to be effective and credible, it should not be hurried and
should afford itself ample time to examine the various testimonies and
evidence.
4. The identities and
areas of expertise of the UN personnel conducting such investigations should be
disclosed in advance to generate confidence in the quality of the
investigation. Furthermore, any capacity, resource or other limitation on part
of the UN investigation team should also be disclosed in advance.
5. The UN should also
look into previous investigative and accountability initiatives started during
the last government, including a departmental inquiry initiated by Bangladesh
Police looking within two days into the death of student Abu Syed on Rangpur on
July 16, a judicial inquiry commission set up on July 18, and a National Public
Inquiry Commission formed by eminent citizens on July 29, 2024. ICSF believes
that, while abruptly halted due to regime change, these initiatives could also
offer invaluable insights into the subject matter of the UN investigation.
6. The current spate of
cases against members of the previous government, often with no discernible
links between the accused and the subject matter, whether filed in police
stations or courts, do not complement the initiative to undertake a UN-led
investigation. It is therefore important that the UN stresses to the interim
government that prosecutions should follow proper investigations, and not the
other way round.
7. The UN must note that
this potential investigation would not only carry legal significance in terms
of ensuring accountability for wrongs committed, but also carry huge political
significance in the days to come towards lasting political stability and peace
and put an end to the culture of politics of revenge. Without such a vision to
guide itself, the UN may risk being used as a tool for political suppression.
8. It is crucial that
the UN or UN-led investigation be part of a broader reconciliation and healing
process, and not simply provide the basis for the interim government in
Bangladesh to summarily dispense penal measures against offenders, further
perpetuating the politics of revenge.
The ICSF has undertaken
an initiative of its own titled "Bangladesh Conflict Watch" to
document each and every incident which took place in Bangladesh in the last
five weeks surrounding the Quota Movement and thereafter, with the aim to
provide a complete picture of the recent violence and unrest in Bangladesh.
ICSF volunteers its
assistance to, and meaningful engagement with, the UN investigation.
The UN human rights
office has said around 250 people were reportedly killed following the new wave
of protests between 5 and 6 August.
The number of reported
killings in revenge attacks since that time still remains to be determined.
According to available
public reports by the media and the protest movement itself, between 16 July
and 11 August, more than 600 people were killed.
Of these, nearly 400
deaths were reported from 16 July to 4 August, the UN rights body in its report
titled "Preliminary Analysis of Recent Protests and Unrest in
Bangladesh."
END/UNB/MK//ssk