Bangladesh is set to answer to some tough questions posed by different countries with regards to human rights issues in the country at the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva on Monday. Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni will lead the Bangladesh delegation to the second cycle of the UPR to defend the country’s human rights records of last four years at the UN Human Rights Council. The first cycle of UPR, a mechanism to assess human rights situation in all 193 member states, was held in 2009. Ahead of the second cycle of the UPR, many countries predominantly European nations have put forward advance written questions to Bangladesh relating to human rights issues in the country including extrajudicial killings, torture and ill-treatment by law enforcement agencies, enforced disappearances, war crimes trial, violence against women, labour rights, Chittagong Hill Tracts peace accord, violence against journalists and child labour.
Netherlands wanted know what the government is doing to put an end to extrajudicial killings, torture and other forms of ill-treatment perpetrated by law enforcement agencies.
“Will the Government of Bangladesh, in order to put an end to impunity, ensure that all human rights violations committed by members of law enforcement agencies, including the police, armed forces, and RAB, are thoroughly and impartially investigated and prosecuted?” it questioned.
Netherlands also wanted to know what effective measures does the government of Bangladesh intend to take in order to tackle violence against women and girls, e.g. by implementing existing laws.
Montenegro wanted to know what methods are used to investigate and prosecute extrajudicial killings and claims of torture and whether Bangladesh plans to accept the request of the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions for a country.
The United Kingdom asked if the government has any plans to de-criminalize homosexuality by abolishing section 377 of the Penal Code.
“What steps is the government of Bangladesh taking to implement the recommendation of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to adopt a national action plan to criminalise violence against women and girls and prosecute perpetrators?” it asked.
On disappearances, UK questioned, “We note that the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances has transmitted to the government of Bangladesh allegations that enforced disappearances are frequently used by law enforcement agencies. What steps is the government of Bangladesh taking to eliminate this practice?”
Germany wanted to know what further steps the government undertakes in order to provide the National Human Rights Commission of Bangladesh with full independence and to help the Commission to obtain A-status and to comply fully with the Paris Principles. Mexico questioned about the existing difference between the rights enjoyed by men and women relating to marital property. Commending the Bangladesh’s efforts to ensure accountability for grave crimes committed during its past, Liechtenstein expressed its concern “about persistent reports of due process violations and allegations of partiality in the trials at the International Crimes Tribunal”.
“What steps is Bangladesh taking to ensure the highest rule of law and human rights standards are being met when trying individuals for crimes under international law?” it asked.
Czech Republic asked for information on measures undertaken to respect, protect and fulfill the human rights of stateless Rohingya persons, to improve the situation of the Rohingya refugees and to finalize its refugee policy and take measures to reinstate the resettlement programme.
“Is the Government of Bangladesh succeeding in bringing perpetrators of these acts to justice?” it questioned.
Norway questioned on government’s measures to promote the rights of women and increase their participation in society and implementation of the Chittagong Hill Tracts peace accord.
-With The Independent input
