Dhaka, March 3 — Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus has strongly advocated for the meticulous preservation of evidence detailing alleged atrocities committed during the tenure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Yunus emphasized this necessity during a meeting held on Sunday with senior United Nations representatives, underscoring that without an accurate archival system, “it is difficult to know the truth and ensure justice,” as reported by Dhaka Tribune.
During his discussions with UN Resident Coordinator Gwen Lewis and UN human rights expert Huma Khan, Yunus highlighted several instances of alleged human rights abuses. Among these were the violent crackdown on demonstrators at Shapla Chattar, police brutality following the controversial verdict against Delwar Hossain Sayedee, and widespread extrajudicial killings reported throughout Hasina’s administration.
The UN representatives responded positively, affirming their readiness to support Bangladesh in accurately documenting and archiving these human rights violations. Gwen Lewis described the documentation initiative as crucial for "healing and truth-building," pledging the UN's technical assistance and expertise in capacity-building to facilitate this vital process.
Yunus praised the recent UN fact-finding report detailing abuses linked to the July-August 2024 uprising, which culminated in the fall of the Awami League's 15-year governance and Sheikh Hasina’s subsequent escape to India. This report, according to Lewis, is scheduled for presentation by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk at the Human Rights Council session in Geneva on March 5.
“We are very pleased that the UN has published this report; it is timely,” Yunus stated.
The conversation between Yunus and UN officials also addressed the critical situation of Rohingya refugees currently residing in Bangladesh. Lewis expressed deep concern about diminishing international funding, highlighting the financial strain on humanitarian operations. "We are very worried about the money situation," Lewis stressed, pointing out that at least USD 15 million per month is urgently required to sustain food supplies and essential services for the refugees.
In a related development, UN Secretary-General António Guterres is set to visit Bangladesh between March 13 and 16. Lewis expressed optimism that his visit will renew global attention toward the dire refugee situation, fostering broader international support for ongoing humanitarian needs.
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