Geneva: Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul has stated that the interim government is fully committed to conducting an impartial and credible investigation into the massacre that occurred in Bangladesh between July and August. He emphasized the importance of due judicial processes to address the incident.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Dr Nazrul made these remarks while addressing a session titled 'OHCHR Fact-Finding Report on Human Rights Violations and Abuses Related to the Protests of July and August 2024 in Bangladesh: Charting the Path Forward.' This session was held at the Palais des Nations in Geneva as part of the 58th session of the Human Rights Council (HRC). The event was organized by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, also participated, presenting the OHCHR Fact-Finding Report released on February 12.
During his panel remarks, Dr Nazrul expressed appreciation for High Commissioner Turk's efforts in commissioning the OHCHR Fact Finding Team to conduct a thorough and independent investigation into the July-August mass uprising. He also shared details of the interim government's reform initiatives aimed at addressing the situation.
High Commissioner Turk, in his presentation, highlighted that various former government officials, security and intelligence personnel, and violent elements linked to the former ruling party were involved in systemic human rights violations during the July-August 2024 period. He indicated that some of the crimes committed during this period could be classified as crimes against humanity and assured Bangladesh of OHCHR's continued support in achieving accountability and national healing.
The panel also featured Mir Mahmudur Rahman, the brother of a martyr from the July uprising, who shared his family's painful experiences. Additionally, Farzana Sharmin Emu, a civil society representative, recounted stories of those injured during the uprising.
The session concluded with a question-and-answer segment where Dr Nazrul and High Commissioner Turk addressed queries from attendees. The event, attended by diplomats and international civil society representatives, included a forensic video presentation on the Jatrabari atrocities during the mass uprising.
Following the panel, Dr Nazrul held a bilateral meeting with High Commissioner Turk to discuss future collaboration between OHCHR and Bangladesh in the accountability process for the crimes committed in July-August. Information and Broadcasting Adviser Md Mahfuj Alam, Bangladesh Permanent Representative, and Sanjida Islam Tuli of Maayer Dak were also present at both the panel and the bilateral meeting.