The Bangladesh government has strongly rebuffed the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), asserting that the organization has “unfortunately overstepped its mandate.” This response comes in the wake of the OHCHR’s commentary on Bangladesh’s general election on January 7.
The foreign ministry, in a statement issued on Sunday, accused the rights body of misrepresenting ground reality and delivering subjective and biased assessments to politicize human rights. The government aimed to provide the correct perspective, emphasizing its commitment to democratic principles during the free, fair, and peaceful election on January 7, 2024.
International election observers and journalists, who covered the election on the ground, attested to its unprecedented peaceful nature, contrary to the OHCHR’s claims of violence and repression against opposition candidates. The government highlighted the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) decision to abstain from the electoral process and engage in violence, leading to the killing of 24 individuals, arson attacks, and destruction of public and private property.
Despite the challenges posed by the BNP’s actions, law enforcement responded with restraint, rationality, and adherence to legal parameters, according to the foreign ministry. The government dismissed OHCHR’s allegations of reprisals, including arbitrary arrests, threats, and enforced disappearances, as baseless and unsubstantiated.
Dhaka called on the OHCHR to verify information before making public statements and emphasized Bangladesh’s commitment to upholding human rights, guided by the constitution and international commitments. The government expressed a willingness to address legitimate concerns and collaborate with the United Nations and its human rights mechanisms while welcoming constructive criticisms.
