During the 60th session of the United Nations Human Rights Commission, speakers at a seminar organized at the Geneva office expressed deep concern over the state of human rights in Bangladesh under the current unelected interim government.
The seminar, titled “Violations of Fundamental Human Rights, Rule of Law and Democracy in Bangladesh,” was jointly organized by the Centre for Gender Justice and Women Empowerment, Global Center for Democratic Governance, and the International Forum for Secular Bangladesh. Approximately one hundred participants from various countries attended the event.
Speakers alleged that fundamental human rights are being routinely violated through political repression, arbitrary arrests, extrajudicial killings, and restrictions on freedom of expression. They called on the international community to play an effective role in addressing these issues.
It was noted in the seminar that the UN Human Rights Commission’s report, published in February 2025, presented the human rights violations that occurred during July–August 2024 with a lack of transparency and editorial shortcomings.
Professor Dr. Md. Habibe Millat, President of the Global Center for Democratic Governance, stated that the published report was not edited in accordance with the UN’s editorial standards. He questioned, “If the report was not edited in line with the UN’s editorial guidelines, then why was it published?”
Paulo Casaca, Founder and Executive Director of the South Asia Democratic Forum, commented that if a national election were held without including a popular party like the Awami League, it would amount to a “fraudulent election.”
Suhas Chakma, Director of the Rights & Risks Analysis Group, called for new initiatives to address the human rights situation in Bangladesh and demanded the immediate establishment of an independent human rights council.
Natalia Sineaeva-Pankowska, a representative of the NEVER AGAIN Association, strongly condemned the violations of women’s and children’s rights under the interim government and demanded justice for each incident.
Chris Blackburn, Communication Director of the European Bangladesh Forum, made special mention of recent human rights violations in the Chittagong Hill Tracts and urged that all perpetrators involved in human rights abuses be brought to justice.
The seminar was conducted by Dr. Chongsi Ayeah Joseph, President and CEO of the Centre for Human Rights and Peace Advocacy. Rahman Khalilur Mamun, Executive President of the International Forum for Secular Bangladesh, thanked all participants at the event’s conclusion.
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