UNITED NATIONS: Amid reports of violence and alleged human rights violations in Bangladesh all over the December 30 basic elections, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has known as for those accountable for the violence to be held to account.
The OHCHR has also mentioned that the arrest of reporters under the Digital Security Act suppresses unfastened speech and expression.
"There are credible reports of fatalities and numerous injuries on polling day alone," OHCHR spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani mentioned in Geneva on Friday.
The OHCHR's statement comes nearly per week after Bangladesh's ruling Awami League secured a landslide victory in the basic elections, an end result rejected via opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) which demanded contemporary polls.
The election was marred via violence, in which 17 other folks had been killed.
"There are worrying indications that reprisals have continued to take place, notably against the political opposition, including physical attacks and ill-treatment, arbitrary arrests, harassment, disappearances and filing of criminal cases,” Shamdasani said, noting reports of disproportionate "violent attacks and intimidation" via ruling celebration activists and in some instances with the involvement of cops.
Shamdasani cited reports of media intimidation and belongings injury, in addition to other constraints that experience hindered unfastened and public reporting at the elections.
She asserted that no less than two reporters protecting the election were arrested under the 2018 Digital Security Act, which, in line with information reports, suppresses unfastened speech and press freedom.
Moreover, since December 10, no less than 54 information and other internet sites were blocked, and brief web restrictions around election day have constrained freedom of expression.
Pointing to reports of police breaking up peaceful protests not easy a re-election, and arrests under laws such as the Digital Security Act, she mentioned that the gap for human rights defenders and organisations, political opposition and most people, to speak out in regards to the election had turn out to be "limited".
"Restrictive legislation, including this Act, will have to be reformed in order that human rights defenders, civil society, reporters and all contributors of the general public are safe of their workout of the freedoms of expression, peaceful meeting and affiliation and interact freely in debating the election and Bangladesh's democratic and development processes," the OHCHR spokesperson mentioned.
The UN agency recommended the government to hold out "prompt, impartial, unbiased and effective investigations" into all alleged violence and human rights violations surrounding the elections, and to hold those responsible accountable, "without reference to their political affiliations".
OHCHR also inspired the national Human Rights Commission to play an impartial and proactive role.
"We call at the government to take pressing measures to prevent further reprisals, and to make certain that legislation enforcement government workout their powers strictly in response to the guideline of legislation and rules of legality and proportionality," Shamdasani mentioned.
The OHCHR has also mentioned that the arrest of reporters under the Digital Security Act suppresses unfastened speech and expression.
"There are credible reports of fatalities and numerous injuries on polling day alone," OHCHR spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani mentioned in Geneva on Friday.
The OHCHR's statement comes nearly per week after Bangladesh's ruling Awami League secured a landslide victory in the basic elections, an end result rejected via opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) which demanded contemporary polls.
The election was marred via violence, in which 17 other folks had been killed.
"There are worrying indications that reprisals have continued to take place, notably against the political opposition, including physical attacks and ill-treatment, arbitrary arrests, harassment, disappearances and filing of criminal cases,” Shamdasani said, noting reports of disproportionate "violent attacks and intimidation" via ruling celebration activists and in some instances with the involvement of cops.
Shamdasani cited reports of media intimidation and belongings injury, in addition to other constraints that experience hindered unfastened and public reporting at the elections.
She asserted that no less than two reporters protecting the election were arrested under the 2018 Digital Security Act, which, in line with information reports, suppresses unfastened speech and press freedom.
Moreover, since December 10, no less than 54 information and other internet sites were blocked, and brief web restrictions around election day have constrained freedom of expression.
Pointing to reports of police breaking up peaceful protests not easy a re-election, and arrests under laws such as the Digital Security Act, she mentioned that the gap for human rights defenders and organisations, political opposition and most people, to speak out in regards to the election had turn out to be "limited".
"Restrictive legislation, including this Act, will have to be reformed in order that human rights defenders, civil society, reporters and all contributors of the general public are safe of their workout of the freedoms of expression, peaceful meeting and affiliation and interact freely in debating the election and Bangladesh's democratic and development processes," the OHCHR spokesperson mentioned.
The UN agency recommended the government to hold out "prompt, impartial, unbiased and effective investigations" into all alleged violence and human rights violations surrounding the elections, and to hold those responsible accountable, "without reference to their political affiliations".
OHCHR also inspired the national Human Rights Commission to play an impartial and proactive role.
"We call at the government to take pressing measures to prevent further reprisals, and to make certain that legislation enforcement government workout their powers strictly in response to the guideline of legislation and rules of legality and proportionality," Shamdasani mentioned.
B'desh polls: UN calls for action against those behind violence
![B'desh polls: UN calls for action against those behind violence]()
Reviewed by Kailash
on
January 05, 2019
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