ORAL STATEMENT
Humanists International
57th Session of the UN Human Rights Council (9 September – 11 October 2024)
Item 4: General Debate
Speaker: Ahmedur “Tutul” Chowdhury
Mr President,
We are deeply concerned about the precarious human rights situation in Bangladesh. The killing of hundreds of protestors demands accountability, and we call on the interim Government to investigate all allegations of human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings by the police.[1]
As Bangladesh looks to the future, there is great opportunity and great risk. As the Government sets up commissions to reform, we call for the inclusion of views from across Bangladesh society.[2]
We urge the government to ensure human rights protections for all. Freedom of expression – including to criticize political parties and policies – must be ensured. Fair and free elections and the respect for the democratic will of the people is essential.
We are deeply concerned about reports of attacks against members of religious minority communities.[3]
Moreover, Bangladesh’s recent history shows a pattern of violence and state persecution against secular bloggers, who have been killed or forced to flee.[4] We urge Bangladesh to avoid a return to this violence. We urge them to protect the right to freedom of expression and the right to freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for all in Bangladesh.
These rights are complimentary, and the right to criticise beliefs is a manifestation of both the right to FoRB and freedom of expression.[5] We call on Bangladesh to recognise this, and to respect international human rights law.
Thank you
[1] https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/2024-08/OHCHR-Preliminary-Analysis-of-Recent-Protests-and-Unrest-in-Bangladesh-16082024_2.pdf
[2] https://asia.nikkei.com/Politics/Bangladesh-turmoil/Bangladesh-pushes-groundbreaking-reforms-after-Hasina-exit
[3] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/8/11/new-bangladesh-government-says-working-to-resolve-attacks-on-minorities; https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwy77vgmjlzo
[4] https://www.amnesty.org.uk/urgent-actions/blogger-arbitrarily-detained-despite-bail; https://humanists.international/2016/04/tutul-the-survivor-an-interview-with-the-target-of-a-bangladesh-machete-attack/; https://humanists.international/2020/11/un-rights-experts-urge-bangladesh-to-investigate-violations-regarding-asad-noors-case/; https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/07/secular-activist-who-criticised-islamism-hacked-to-death-in-bangladesh
[5] A/HRC/40/58: Freedom of religion or belief – Report of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, Para 16; Rabat Plan of Action.” A/HRC/22/17/Add.4, Report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the expert workshops on the prohibition of incitement to national, racial or religious hatred, Para. 19
'Freedom of Expression in Bangladesh', Humanists International