UNHRC adopts draft report on Bangladesh HR review

The UN Human Rights Council (HRC) has adopted the draft report on human rights review of Bangladesh with a number of recommendations like ensuring fair polls, and a safe and enabling environment for human rights defenders.

At its 17th meeting, held on Thursday in Geneva, the Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review adopted the report on Bangladesh.

All the recommendations contained in the present report reflect the position of the submitting State(s) and/or the State under review.

They should not be construed as endorsed by the Working Group as a whole, according to the UN office in Dhaka. 

Japan recommended Bangladesh to ensure a free, fair and inclusive general election, with the full participation of all parties, and increase efforts to strengthen democracy.

Norway recommended that human rights defenders, journalists and civil society have a safe and enabling environment and can operate freely without fear of reprisals.

South Korea recommended to ensure effective protection of the lives and security of human rights defenders and journalists against human rights violations, including enforced disappearance, torture and extrajudicial killings on taking steps to halt forced disappearance, extra judicial killing, and ensure freedom of expression in media, politics and religion.

The Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review, established in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 5/1, held its thirtieth session from 7 to 18 May 2018. 

The review of Bangladesh was held at the 10th meeting, on May 14. The delegation of Bangladesh was headed by Law Minister Anisul Huq, MP.

The United States suggested amendment to Bangladesh Labor Act and Export Processing Zone Labor Act, in consultation with workers and employers, to ensure the provisions on freedom of association conform to international labour standards.

Germany suggested steps to end impunity by conducting thorough investigations and criminal prosecutions of human rights violations and abuses against human rights defenders, journalists, bloggers and LGBTI.

Source: unb