Bangladesh elections: Hold those responsible accountable for 'violent attacks and intimidation'

United Nations: Amid reports of violence and alleged human rights violations in Bangladesh during the December 30 general elections, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has called for those responsible for the violence to be held to account.

The OHCHR has also stated that the arrest of journalists under the Digital Security Act suppresses free speech and expression.

“There are credible reports of fatalities and numerous injuries on polling day alone,” OHCHR spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani said in Geneva on Friday.

The OHCHR’s remark comes nearly a week after Bangladesh’s ruling Awami League secured a landslide victory in the general elections, an outcome rejected by opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) which demanded fresh polls.

The election was marred by violence, in which 17 people were killed.

“There are worrying indications that reprisals have continued to take place, notably against the political opposition, including physical attacks and ill-treatment, arbitrary arrests, harassment, disappearances and filing of criminal cases, Shamdasani said, noting reports of disproportionate “violent attacks and intimidation” by ruling party activists and in some cases with the involvement of law enforcement officials.

Shamdasani cited reports of media intimidation and property damage, as well as other constraints that have hindered free and public reporting on the elections.

She asserted that at least two journalists covering the election have been arrested under the 2018 Digital Security Act, which, according to news reports, suppresses free speech and press freedom.

Moreover, since December 10, at least 54 news and other websites have been blocked, and temporary internet restrictions around election day have constrained freedom of expression.

Pointing to reports of police breaking up peaceful protests demanding a re-election, and arrests under laws such as the Digital Security Act, she said that the space for human rights defenders and organisations, political opposition and the general public, to speak out about the election had become “restricted”.

“Restrictive legislation, including this Act, should be reformed so that human rights defenders, civil society, journalists and all members of the public are protected in their exercise of the freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly and association and engage freely in debating the election and Bangladesh’s democratic and development processes,” the OHCHR spokesperson said.

The UN agency urged the authorities to carry out “prompt, independent, impartial and effective investigations” into all alleged violence and human rights violations surrounding the elections, and to hold those responsible accountable, “regardless of their political affiliations”. OHCHR also encouraged the national Human Rights Commission to play an independent and proactive role.

“We call on the authorities to take urgent measures to prevent further reprisals, and to ensure that law enforcement authorities exercise their powers strictly in accordance with the rule of law and principles of legality and proportionality,” Shamdasani said.