Online Correspondent //

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has called for the establishment of a robust and independent national institution to oversee security forces in Bangladesh.

Türk made this call while addressing the global situation at the 63rd session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, on Monday (September 7).

“We have been calling for the creation of an institution capable of overseeing the activities of security forces,” Türk stated.

The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights published a fact-finding report on February 12, 2025, regarding serious human rights violations during the mass uprising of July–August 2024.

That report outlined 44 recommendations aimed at improving the human rights situation in Bangladesh.

Key recommendations included emphasizing independent oversight of law enforcement agencies, as well as establishing mechanisms for independent investigations into serious human rights violations, institutional reforms, civilian oversight, and accountability.

The report also highlighted recommendations from various UN treaty bodies—comprising independent experts who monitor the implementation of international human rights treaties. These bodies emphasized the need for the National Human Rights Commission to possess the authority to directly investigate allegations of human rights violations committed by members of the armed forces, police, and other law enforcement agencies.

Furthermore, they called for ensuring adequate resources for the Commission and implementing a transparent, participatory, and merit-based appointment process aligned with the Paris Principles.

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