Dhaka, Aug 25 – Bangladesh on Friday clarified to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein its position on the concerns raised allegedly by vested quarters against it about human rights issues.Law Minister Anisul Huq and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam met the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights at the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Geneva and had a discussion on areas of collaboration on various human rights issues.
They clarified the position of the government on the concerns, including violence against women, discrimination against religious and other minorities, child marriage, Rohingya issues, death penalty, International Crimes Tribunal, human rights violations by security forces and shrinking of democratic space and freedom of expression.
Al Hussein commended Bangladesh’s continued efforts to work for the full realisation of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, including promotion of democracy, rule of law and good governance at all levels, said the Foreign Ministry here.
He also lauded Bangladesh’s commitment to the principles of ‘no one left behind’ and ‘reaching the farthest first’ as part of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights particularly praised Bangladesh’s role in remaining engaged with the UN Human Rights mechanism on important issues.
The Law Minister said as a responsible UN member state and elected member of the Human Rights Council (HRC), Bangladesh attaches the highest priority to fulfilling its commitment to ensuring human rights for all of its citizens.
He reiterated that Bangladesh holds democracy, human rights and secularism at the core of its national values and ethos.
Anisul said Bangladesh has always endeavoured to remain alert and watchful to misperceptions about the human rights situations.
Within the capabilities and with clear intention to do the needful, Bangladesh has responded to issues or comments on situations of human rights brought time to time to the attention of the government, he said.
Bangladesh Ambassador and Permanent Representative in Geneva M Shameem Ahsan also remained present at the meeting. – UNB
