Top United Nations officials have urged a peaceful and democratic transition in Bangladesh following Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation.
Hasina resigned and fled the country on Monday amid massive anti-government protests that have claimed numerous lives in recent weeks.
UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq, in a statement on Monday, said Secretary-General António Guterres “continues to closely follow developments in the country.”
“He urges calm and restraint by all sides and emphasizes the importance of a peaceful, orderly, and democratic transition,” Haq said.
The UN chief expressed “full solidarity with the people of Bangladesh” and called for the full respect of their human rights.
“He continues to underscore the need for a full, independent, impartial, and transparent investigation into all acts of violence,” Haq added.
Since student-led protests began in July, over 300 people, including many children, have been killed and more than 20,000 injured. The bloodshed is among the worst ever witnessed in Bangladesh.
The unrest started with student protests against civil service job quotas. Although the scheme was withdrawn, protests reignited last week with demands for Hasina to resign and for accountability for the violent suppression of demonstrations.
Hasina had been in power since January 2009, having previously led the country from 1996 to 2001. Media reports suggest her departure was met with widespread jubilation across much of the country. There were also reports of ransacking and arson at the Prime Minister’s residence, a museum commemorating Hasina’s father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and the homes of senior government officials.
Bangladesh’s army chief announced in a televised address that an interim government would be formed, although details were not provided.
Volker Türk, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, emphasized the importance of a peaceful transition guided by human rights.
“The transition must be conducted in a transparent and accountable way, inclusive and open to the meaningful participation of all Bangladeshis,” Türk said in a statement.
Türk stressed the need for a quick return to democratic order and the rule of law, with all emergency measures limited according to international law.
“Everyone arbitrarily detained must be released, and all those responsible for human rights violations must be held accountable,” he said.
“This is a time for national healing, including an immediate end to violence, accountability that ensures the rights of victims to truth and reparations, and a truly inclusive process that brings the country together on the way forward.”
