What the Bangladesh Army said in response to Volker Turk‍‍`s comments

In a recent interview on BBC World Service’s "Hardtalk," Volker Turk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, revealed that the UN had issued a warning to the Bangladesh Army, advising them not to intervene in the protests that took place in July and August 2024.

These protests, led by students and the public, saw significant unrest across the country. 

Turk’s statement suggests that the warning played a role in the events that followed.

However, the Bangladesh Army has strongly denied any knowledge of such a warning, responding through an official statement. 

The statement clarified, “The Bangladesh Army is not aware of any such indication or message from the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.”

The Army further explained that if any concerns were raised, it was likely communicated to the government at that time, not directly to the Army. 

The statement emphasized, “The Bangladesh Army operates according to national security guidelines and consistently upholds the rule of law and human rights principles. However, some parties have misrepresented Volker Turk’s comments, leading to misunderstandings about the Army’s role and potentially damaging its professionalism.”

The Bangladesh Army took the opportunity to reiterate its long-standing commitment to neutrality and integrity. 

“Throughout its history, particularly during the democratic transition of 1991, the Army has always stood by the people of Bangladesh and never acted against their will. During the July–August 2024 protests, the Army remained by the people’s side, ensuring public safety without bias or external influence,” the statement continued.

Furthermore, the Army reminded the public of its role as a leading global contributor to peacekeeping missions. 

“As the second-largest contributor to global peacekeeping, Bangladesh is internationally recognized for its professionalism and dedication,” the statement read. 

“While peacekeepers receive a small portion of the income generated from peacekeeping missions, the majority of the earnings play a vital role in Bangladesh’s economic growth. Over the past 23 years, nearly 27,000 crore taka has been generated.”

Concluding the statement, the Bangladesh Army emphasized its strong relationship with the United Nations Human Rights Commission. 

“We value our long-term partnership and are committed to fulfilling our responsibilities to both the people of Bangladesh and the international community. Any concerns or confusion regarding our role can be addressed through constructive dialogue,” the statement stated.

The Bangladesh Army also reaffirmed its commitment to human rights and expressed a willingness to consider any constructive criticism. 

The statement concluded by noting that further clarification on some aspects of Volker Turk’s comments may be necessary to ensure greater accuracy and transparency.

This latest exchange between the UN and the Bangladesh Army has raised important questions about the Army’s role during the recent protests and its relationship with the international community.