A global alliance of civil society organizations, CIVICUS, and the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) have expressed concerns over the Bangladesh government's rejection of key recommendations related to civic space during its recent Universal Periodic Review (UPR) at the UN Human Rights Council.

This decision has raised questions about the government's commitment to upholding its international human rights obligations. During the UPR process in November 2023, UN member states made 301 recommendations to Bangladesh, including improvements to civic space. However, the government only accepted 211, opting to merely "note" the remaining recommendations.

Among the rejected recommendations were calls from 15 countries to amend or repeal the controversial CyberSecurity Act, passed in September 2023. Critics argue the law retains repressive language from the previous Digital Security Act, which was used to silence online critics, activists, and journalists.

The government also declined recommendations to establish an independent body to investigate allegations of human rights abuses by security forces and to allow visits by UN human rights monitors.

"It's disappointing the government rejected calls to review the Cyber Security Act, which the UN itself has said threatens free speech," said CIVICUS. "Their refusal to establish an independent investigation mechanism further highlights a culture of impunity for rights abuses by security personnel.”

On a positive note, the government did accept recommendations aimed at creating a safer environment for human rights defenders, journalists, and civil society organizations. Additionally, they agreed to investigate and prosecute human rights violations committed by security forces.

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) urged the government to demonstrate its commitment to these accepted recommendations.

"If they're serious about protecting human rights defenders, they should start by quashing convictions of activists like Adilur Rahman Khan and Nasiruddin Elan," the AHRC said. "They should also end the harassment of Nobel laureate Mohammad Yunus and stop targeting activists and journalists, both domestically and in exile.”

The CIVICUS Monitor downgraded Bangladesh's civic space rating to "closed" in December 2023, its most severe rating. This downgrade reflects a wider government crackdown on dissent in the lead-up to the January 2024 national elections.