The Bangladesh Army has issued a statement in response to recent remarks by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk regarding its role during the student-led protests of July-August last year.
The statement, prompted by a report aired on BBC World Service’s ‘HARDtalk’ programme, underscores the army’s commitment to upholding human rights and the rule of law while calling for greater accuracy and clarity in discussions surrounding its involvement.
The army asserted that it had not received any direct communication or concerns from the UN Human Rights Office on the matter.
If any such concerns were raised, they were likely conveyed to the then-government rather than the military.
Reaffirming its professional neutrality, the Bangladesh Army maintained that it operates strictly under national security directives and remains dedicated to its constitutional responsibilities.
The statement further addressed what it described as misrepresentation of Türk’s comments by certain quarters, cautioning that such distortions could lead to misconceptions about the army’s role and professional integrity.
It reiterated that the army has always stood by the people, citing historical precedents such as the democratic transition of 1991 as evidence of its commitment to national stability and public interest.
Regarding its conduct during the 2024 protests, the army stressed that it acted solely to ensure public safety, free from external influence or bias.
As the world’s second-largest contributor to UN peacekeeping missions, Bangladesh has consistently demonstrated its professionalism, with its personnel earning international recognition for their discipline and service.
The army also highlighted the significant economic contribution of its peacekeeping missions, with approximately Tk27,000 crore generated over the past 23 years, a substantial portion of which has bolstered national economic growth.
The Bangladesh Army reaffirmed its longstanding cooperation with the UN Human Rights Office and reiterated its commitment to engaging in constructive dialogue should any concerns arise.
It emphasised that any ambiguities regarding its role should be addressed through informed discussions rather than conjecture or misrepresentation.
