Human Rights Forum urges roadmap to implement UN recommendations on Jul-Aug violence

The Human Rights Forum Bangladesh (HRFB) has called for the creation of a clear roadmap to implement the recommendations from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) report, which addresses the July-August mass uprisings and subsequent violence.

At a press conference held at Midas Centre in the capital today (20 March), HRFB steering committee member and CEO of Nagorik Uddyog Zakir Hossain emphasised the urgency of taking immediate action to ensure meaningful reforms and prevent future violence.

He said, "The OHCHR recently released a report on the July-August mass uprising and the subsequent violence. HRFB believes it is essential to implement the recommendations outlined in the report to ensure meaningful reforms and avoid similar incidents in the future."

"It is urgent to create a roadmap for the implementation of these recommendations," he added.

He further noted that HRFB urges the government to act swiftly in implementing the UN's recommendations through short, medium, and long-term actions. These steps are critical in preventing future violence and addressing ongoing human rights concerns.

"Failure to do so could result in missing the opportunity to ensure accountability for human rights violations and the creation of a human rights-friendly state framework," Zakir Hossain added.

The HRFB also pointed out the limitations in the OHCHR report, calling for a more extensive data collection process. The forum believes there should have been more focus on the attacks on indigenous, minority, women, and children groups.

Also, HRFB expressed concerns that the report did not adequately address the impacts on third-gender individuals and workers during the July uprising.

The forum also emphasised the need for more attention to the violence and casualties that followed 5 August.

Zakir further added, "HRFB has been raising many of the issues highlighted in the UN report for some time, including ensuring accountability for law enforcement agencies involved in human rights violations, strengthening the National Human Rights Commission and Anti-Corruption Commission, ensuring judicial independence, and guaranteeing media and expression freedoms."

Call for legal accountability, rehabilitation

The forum has urged the interim government to take effective steps to implement the UN's recommendations.

Furthermore, HRFB emphasised the importance of swift, impartial, and independent legal actions against those responsible for the July-August violence, ensuring accountability.

HRFB also highlighted the necessity of providing proper rehabilitation, including physical and mental health care for the victims of the violence.