The Government of Bangladesh has signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to establish a mission in the country, aiming to support the promotion and protection of human rights.
According to a statement from the Chief Adviser's Press Wing issued today, the mission will provide training and technical assistance to government institutions and civil society organisations.
The goal is to help Bangladesh meet its national and international human rights obligations through capacity-building, legal support, and institutional strengthening.
The initiative follows serious human rights concerns arising from the events of July–August 2024 and reflects the government’s commitment to reform and accountability.
The statement acknowledged public concerns about the ideological orientation of some UN bodies and emphasized that Bangladesh’s strong cultural and religious traditions must be respected.
“Any international partnership should be respectful of these values,” it read.
The OHCHR mission, the statement clarified, will focus strictly on preventing and addressing serious human rights violations, including those perpetrated under the previous administration.
It will not promote any social agenda outside the country's legal, cultural, or social framework.
Transparency and cooperation with local stakeholders are expected from the mission, and the UN has committed to operating with full respect for Bangladesh’s social and religious context.
The government retains the sovereign right to withdraw from the agreement if it no longer aligns with national interests.
“If such an office had existed earlier, many crimes committed under past regimes might have been properly investigated,” the statement said.
“Our commitment to human rights today must be rooted in justice, not ideology,” it added, calling the partnership an opportunity to strengthen national institutions and protect citizens under the country’s own values and laws.
MN/SMS
