Guwahati: British Indo-Pacific Minister Catherine West has reaffirmed her commitment to supporting a UN investigation into alleged human rights violations in Bangladesh.
In a letter to the Director of Rights & Risks Analysis Group (RRAG), Suhas Chakma, British Indo-Pacific Minister Catherine West said, “During my recent visit to Dhaka, I discussed the UK’s ongoing support for political and economic reforms, security and trade cooperation with Chief Adviser, Professor Muhammad Yunus, and Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain. I also met with student leaders and political parties to discuss the UK’s support for Bangladesh’s democratic recovery.”
Notably, prior to Catherine West’s official visit to Bangladesh on November 16 and 17, the RRAG addressed a letter to the UK Minister on November 14, highlighting the deteriorating law and order situation, the prevalence of political vendettas, and the increased attacks targeting indigenous peoples and religious minorities.
Furthermore, the RRAG urged the Minister to support the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights’ request for the establishment of a country office in Bangladesh.
“I reinforced our support for the Interim Government of Bangladesh as it works to restore peace and order, ensure accountability and create a peaceful pathway to an inclusive and democratic future. As part of our regular engagement with the Interim Government of Bangladesh, we are clear that respect for human rights and the rule of law are essential,” she stated.
The UK Minister further said, “We support the work of the United Nations as it works to conduct an impartial and independent fact-finding to identify human rights violations.”
The RRAG, in its letter to Catherine West, highlighted alarming trends, including over 2,71,000 politically motivated criminal cases filed between August 5 and October 31, 2024, attacks on at least 74 journalists, increased violence against indigenous peoples in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (resulting in at least four deaths, 75 injuries, and 142 property damages), over 2,000 incidents targeting Hindu minorities, and a lack of judicial independence.
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The RRAG requested the minister to urge Bangladesh to allow the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to establish a country mission, implement the Chittagong Hill Tracts Accord of 1997 in letter and spirit; and make the report of the inquiry commission headed by Additional Divisional Commissioner of Chittagong Mohammad Nurullah Noori into the recent acts of violence upon indigenous peoples in the Chittagong Hill Tracts public.
