Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus announced on Wednesday (25 September) that his government is committed to safeguarding human rights and ensuring freedom of speech across Bangladesh.
His remarks were made during a meeting with senior officials from more than half a dozen prominent international human rights organisations at a hotel in New York.
Discussions centred around the justice and accountability for the atrocities and human rights violations perpetrated during the mass uprising in July and August, as well as during Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year dictatorship.
Human rights officials underscored the need for further investigations into the approximately 3,000 extrajudicial killings that occurred during the dictatorship.
They also emphasised the urgency of implementing reforms in the security sector, repealing the Cyber Security Act, and conducting deeper investigations into the detention centres where victims of enforced disappearances were held during the autocratic regime.
Calls were also made for unfettered access to these centres and comprehensive accountability for the abuses committed.
The delegation of nine human rights officials was led by Kerry Kennedy, president of the Robert F Kennedy Human Rights organisation, with Agnes Callamard, secretary general of Amnesty International, also participating in the discussions.
Callamard stated that the Interim Government should send "a powerful message demonstrating that this is a new Bangladesh."
In response, Professor Yunus provided a brief overview of the systematic denial of civil liberties and human rights under the previous dictatorship, and elaborated on the steps his government has taken to restore these rights.
He highlighted the establishment of several commissions, including one focused on police reform, to initiate critical reforms and bring about institutional changes in Bangladesh.
The chief adviser reaffirmed his administration’s openness to critique, stating, "This government isn't bothered by any criticism. In fact, we are inviting criticism." He further assured that no restrictions would be placed on free expression, declaring that the government "won't restrict any voices" in the country.
Other speakers at the meeting included Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman, a former Hong Kong-based human rights activist, and Julia Bleckner, a senior researcher from Human Rights Watch.
