Dhaka //

Chief Advisor Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus has stressed the need for proper documentation of all atrocities committed during the rule of ousted dictator Sheikh Hasina.

These include the crackdown on protesters at Shapla Square, police brutality against protesters after the verdict against Delwar Hossain Sayedee, and extrajudicial killings that have occurred over the years.

The Chief Advisor said, “There is a need for proper documentation of all atrocities committed against the people in this country. If these incidents are not properly documented, it will be difficult to get accurate information and ensure justice.

He said this when he met with the UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh, Gwynne Lewis, and the Principal Advisor, Senior Human Rights Advisor in the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, Huma Khan, at the State Guest House Jamuna on Sunday.

Resident Coordinator Lewis said, “The UN stands ready to provide technical assistance to properly document incidents of atrocities committed against civilians and to support the capacity building of the people of Bangladesh in this regard. This is a process of preventing such incidents and establishing the truth.”

The Principal Advisor thanked the UN for publishing an investigative report on human rights violations and torture during the protests in July and August 2024.

He said, “We are very happy that the UN has published a report on human rights violations. It was not an easy task to publish, but they have published it in a timely manner.

Resident Coordinator Lewis informed the Principal Adviser that UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk will brief Member States on the report at the 55th session of the UN Human Rights Council on 5 March.

The Resident Coordinator expressed hope that UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ upcoming visit to Bangladesh will bring the Rohingya crisis back to global attention, especially as financial assistance is being cut.

“We are very concerned about the reduction in financial assistance,” he said.

He said that US$15 million is needed each month to ensure food supplies for the Rohingya alone, which is linked to other basic needs.

UN Secretary-General Guterres will visit Bangladesh from 13 to 16 March.