The UN human rights office has recommended Bangladesh to refrain from political party bans undermining democracy and disenfranchising part of the electorate.
In a report launched on Wednesday, the UN observed that political party bans would undermine a return to a “genuine multiparty democracy” and effectively disenfranchise a large part of the Bangladeshi electorate.
It also recommended efforts to ensure a safe and enabling environment for free and genuine elections, including by special pre-election measures to ensure a level playing field for all political parties and candidates.
The UN highlighted the importance of ensuring that journalists, Awami League supporters, minority leaders, human rights defenders and others expressing civic or political dissent are not subject to arbitrary arrest, unsubstantiated criminal cases or other types of intimidation.
“Take steps to effectively protect them against revenge violence and investigate and prosecute perpetrators of such attacks, while also facilitating claims for civil damages, including for attacks on private property,” the report reads.
The UN recommended disbanding the Rapid Action Battalion and returning personnel not involved in serious violations to their home units.
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in its fact-finding report shared recommendations in some specific areas including accountability and justice, police and security; civic space, political system and economic governance.
The fact-finding report titled “Human Rights Violations and Abuses related to the protests of July and August 2024 in Bangladesh” highlighted the importance of protecting journalists, political party activists, minority leaders and rights defenders.
The UN also recommended strengthening oversight institutions that balance the influence of political parties on governance.
It recommended strengthening the right to participation in the democratic process through ensuring that citizens and rights-holders are more actively and directly involved in the conduct of public affairs and decision-making processes, including through citizen-led participatory mechanisms.
The recommendations include initiating a broad consultation with political parties towards ensuring that the internal management of parties respects human rights principles.
The UN report suggested effectively implementing laws and regulations providing for substantive equality between men and women in political and public life, including through temporary special measures where necessary and appropriate.
It recommended fair and effective criminal justice for serious violations and revenge violence.
The UN report suggested adopting a fair, transparent and merit-based police recruitment, promotions, transfer and removal process, led by a national police commission composed of government, opposition, and independent members, including from civil society.
It recommended replacing the Police Oversight Unit with an independent police commission that is outside the Home Affairs/Bangladesh Police chain of command.
“It should be composed of independent members, including from civil society, and have the specialized staff, capacity and legal powers to act as a public complaints body,” the report reads.
It should conduct its own effective investigations into human rights violations and other serious misconduct by any police personnel and refer cases for prosecution, said the UN.
