Guterres iterates call for transparent probe into Bangladesh violence

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has iterated his call for prompt, transparent, and impartial investigations into all acts of violence in Bangladesh, stressing the importance of accountability for those responsible.

The UN has noted statements from Bangladeshi authorities indicating that UN-marked vehicles are no longer being deployed within the country. "We remind and reiterate that UN troop- and police-contributing countries are to use UN insignia and equipment marked with the UN insignia only when they are performing mandated tasks as UN peacekeepers in the context of their deployment within a UN peacekeeping operation," said Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, on July 29.

The UN continues to express its concerns about the situation in Bangladesh to relevant authorities both in Dhaka and New York. The organization counts on Bangladesh, as a top troop-contributing country to UN peacekeeping missions, to respect and uphold human rights.

Updating on the situation in Bangladesh, the Secretary-General remains deeply concerned. He noted reports of the resumption of student protests and reiterated his call for calm and restraint. Guterres is particularly worried about reports of mass arrests of thousands of young people and political opposition members in connection with the student movement.

"He underscores the importance of due process and the right to freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly," Dujarric said.

The UN chief is also alarmed by emerging reports of the excessive use of force by security forces and credible evidence of human rights violations.