Expatriate Bangladeshis protest in front of UNHCR over human rights abuses

Members of the Bangladeshi diaspora in Europe, along with leaders from the Bangladesh Awami League All European unit, demonstrated outside the UN rights chief‍‍`s office in Geneva to protest the lack of accountability for human rights violations in Bangladesh. They highlighted issues such as extrajudicial killings, political violence, and mob violence that have surged in recent months, and they blamed Dr. Yunus for fostering division under the guise of reform.

Protesters detailed the wrongful filing of murder charges against thousands linked to the Awami League, arbitrary arrests, and extrajudicial killings by law enforcement, labeling these actions as indicators of the regime‍‍`s injustice. They criticized the government’s claims regarding police fatalities during unrest, arguing that reports have shown far greater violence against law enforcement without any ensuing investigations.

The demonstrators also condemned assaults on media outlets in Dhaka and attacks on journalists, viewing these as systematic efforts to suppress dissent. They pointed to Dr. Yunus’s past statements on press freedom, arguing that the government‍‍`s inaction against media attacks demonstrates a stark contrast between rhetoric and reality.

Nazrul Islam, president of the All European Awami League, noted that over two million families of Awami League supporters have been impacted by escalating violence since early August. He linked this surge to a targeted campaign against Awami League members following Dr. Yunus‍‍`s rise to power.

The protest also called for investigations into coordinated attacks on prisons that resulted in the escape of 900 inmates, including high-profile criminals, and warned that the rise of extremist ideologies among students could jeopardize Bangladesh‍‍`s stability.

Accusing the BNP, Jamaat, and other militant groups of orchestrating violence against Awami League members, Nazrul emphasized that the government’s inaction has allowed this violence to flourish. Protesters cited ongoing reports of harassment and ransom demands from opposition groups, which have forced many Awami League leaders into hiding.

Finally, they submitted a memorandum to the office of Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, outlining the repressive measures employed against the Awami League and minorities, urging for international intervention.