At a time when serious questions are being raised about the UN Human Rights Officeโs conspicuous silence regarding human rights abuses under the Yunus-led Interim Govt, a troubling signal has been sent by the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCHR)โs representative in Bangladesh, who recently appeared at a prosecution press conference of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT-BD).
Huma Khan, Head of Mission of the OHCHR in Bangladesh, was seen on live television standing beside Chief Prosecutor Tajul Islam, a former lawyer for 1971 war criminals, during his ICT-BD press conference last week.
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The optics of this are deeply concerning. Is the UN Human Rights Office now part of the prosecution team at the ICT-BD? If not, why is its representative lending the credibility of the UN to one side in an ongoing and contested legal matter?
Even in normal circumstances, such a display would be questionable. But at this particular moment, it is especially problematic. Journalist David Bergman recently called out the OHCHRโs silence on arbitrary detentions of opposition activists and dissidents under the Interim Government.
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This silence is uncharacteristic of the UN Human Rights Office, which was outspoken on rights violations under the previous administration. Yet, since the Yunus-led Interim Govt assumed power, the OHCHRโs BD office has remained notably silent not only on arbitrary detentions but also on other grave human rights violations. These include the problematic ban on the Awami League activities, a move that directly contradicts the OHCHRโs own recommendations issued in February 2025.
Over the past 14 months, Bangladesh has witnessed sharp rises in political assassinations, mob violence, violence against women and children, mass arrests, arbitrary detentions, and custodial deaths.
Does the OHCHR, and its Head of Mission Huma Khan, now consider these developments consistent with Bangladeshโs international human rights obligations?
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Or has the Office effectively taken sides in Bangladeshโs fractured political landscape?
If not, such preferential behaviour must end immediately.
In line with its global mandate, the OHCHR in Bangladesh must speak out against the widespread human rights violations occurring under the Yunus-led Interim Government.
It must also ensure that its representatives do not appear to prejudice ongoing legal proceedings at the ICT-BD, an institution already mired in criticisms and controversies.
Source: Bangladesh Watch
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