The government of Bangladesh has strongly rejected what it says some visible “politically-motivated efforts” of some corners to mislead the people by showcasing the upcoming visit of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet as an occasion to put pressure on the government.
UN Human Rights High Commissioner to Visit Dhaka
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet is set to arrive in Dhaka tomorrow on a four-day official visit at the invitation of the Bangladesh government. This is the first official visit by a UN human rights chief to the country. During her visit to Dhaka, the high commissioner is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and other ministers, her office said. She will also meet with the National Human Rights Commission officials, representatives of civil society organisations and other stakeholders. Also, Bachelet will deliver a speech at the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies. Then, the high commissioner will travel to Cox’s Bazar where she will visit camps housing Rohingyas from Myanmar and meet with them, officials and non-governmental organisations.
Bangladesh rejects politicisation of human rights agenda
Strongly rejecting politicisation of human rights agenda regarding UN human rights chief’s visit, Bangladesh said in a press release, “The government of Bangladesh firmly believes that politicisation of the human rights agenda never helps in promoting and protecting human rights of the people; and therefore, sincere dialogue and cooperation is the pathway.” The government mentioned that Bangladesh as a responsible and responsive Member State of the UN, looks forward to having a constructive dialogue with the High Commissioner for the promotion and protection of human rights, with the view to continue and further enhance ongoing close engagement and cooperation of Bangladesh with the UN Human Rights mechanism. Bangladesh hoped to benefit from an objective appreciation of the High Commissioner regarding the achievements of the country, despite challenges. In addition, the top executive of the UN Human Rights body will also have the opportunity to interact with the forcibly displaced Rohingya people during her trip to Cox’s Bazar, through which she would be equipped with concrete information to press hard the agenda for the repatriation of the Rohingya to the ancestral homeland – Rakhine State of Myanmar, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Bangladesh strongly hopes that the Chief of UN human rights mechanism would witness by herself how the country is doing miracles to keep on track their development journey; integrating human rights into it.
To conclude, the visit is significantly important for Bangladesh. The country has been closely working with the UN in the field of human rights; and this visit would be an important occasion to highlight Bangladesh’s national perspective and the Government’s sincere efforts to protect and promote human rights of the people, including through updating domestic legal framework, creating awareness and sensitising the implementing agencies, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. This is important in the national context; in particular the economic development amidst the pandemic and other evolving crises, the maintenance of peace and security of the people, and constraints like the Rohingya crisis and the adverse effect of climate change, are taken into due consideration in assessing the human rights situation of the country.
