Interim government Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has said they invited the head of the United Nations Human Rights Commission to come to Bangladesh to start their investigation to ensure a transparent probe into the tragic incidents of use of force and casualties during the popular uprising in July-August.
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“This process of investigation will start this week. Their first team (primary team) has already arrived,” he said in a televised speech to the nation on Sunday evening.
Prof Yunus said they have already withdrawn most of the false and harassing cases filed to thwart the student revolution and arranged for the release of the detained students.
Families of all martyrs will be rehabilitated and justice will be ensured, he said, adding that the government will bear the full medical expenses of all the injured students and the public.
For that purpose, a complete list is being prepared with the help of two advisers representing the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement in the Advisory Council under the leadership of the Ministry of Health.
For these activities and to preserve the memory of the martyrs of the mass uprising, he said, the government quickly finalized the process of establishing a July mass killing memorial foundation.
“All of you, and our brothers and sisters living abroad are requested to send donations to this organization. I have personally accepted the post of chairman of this organization,” he said.
The team from the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, led by Chief of the Asia-Pacific section Rory Mungoven, will be in Dhaka until August 29 for preliminary discussions with the interim government and other stakeholders.
The UN OHCHR team currently in Dhaka is engaging with the interim government, advisers, ministries, civil society, and a broad section of Bangladesh’s society to understand the country’s priorities for promoting human rights.
The team is also exploring how the Office of the High Commissioner can assist in fact-finding and investigations, supporting national processes as they move forward.
After his meeting with Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen on Thursday, Rory Mungoven said they are in Dhaka to hold some preliminary and exploratory discussions with the interim government and see how their office can support the interim government and people of Bangladesh at this historic time.
“We see this is a historic opportunity for the country in restoring democracy, renewing institutions and advancing human rights,” he said.
Rory Mungoven said they would like to hear Bangladesh’s priorities and its needs going forward and explore some areas where the office could assist.
This is in response to a request from the interim government. Once the details are finalized, a separate fact-finding team will be dispatched in the coming weeks to conduct the investigation.