Home Affairs Adviser Lt. Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Tuesday noted Bangladesh has a remarkably better standing on human rights issues compared to many countries worldwide.
He noted that human rights violations are rampant in various regions, including the Middle East, and emphasized that Bangladesh experiences a much lower rate of violations, with improvements being made over time.
The adviser made these remarks during a briefing for journalists following a bilateral meeting with a delegation led by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk at the Bangladesh Secretariat in Dhaka.
He mentioned that the discussions primarily revolved around human rights issues, with the UN High Commissioner requesting comprehensive cooperation from Bangladesh in this regard. Furthermore, the delegation assured support for addressing changing circumstances and the work of various reform commissions.
The adviser noted that the human rights representatives recommended a neutral and independent vetting process for sending personnel to UN peacekeeping missions.
They praised Bangladesh for its strong performance in these missions and discussed the importance of prioritizing human rights in police reform initiatives. Moreover, they emphasized the need to ensure witness and victim protection in the judicial process.
Jahangir Alam addressed Bangladesh's request for comprehensive UN support concerning the Rohingya crisis.
While acknowledging assistance from the UN and various countries in the rehabilitation and repatriation of Rohingyas, he remarked that the support has been insufficient relative to the need.
He pointed out that recent violence in Myanmar has led to an influx of more Rohingyas into Bangladesh, urging the UN delegation to draw international attention to this issue.
The five-member UN delegation, led by High Commissioner Volker Turk, included senior human rights advisor Huma Khan, Asia-Pacific chief Rory Mungoven, media spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani, and human rights officer Livia Cosenza from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
The Bangladesh delegation was led by Dr. Mohammad Abdul Momen, Senior Secretary of the Public Security Division, along with the Inspector General of Police, Major General Mohd. Mainul Islam, Director General of the Border Guard Bangladesh, Major General Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui, Director General of the Rapid Action Battalion, AKM Shahidur Rahman, DMP Commissioner Mohd. Mainul Hasan, and additional secretary Abu Hena Mostafa Zaman.
