UN human rights chief Volker Turk said yesterday that the perpetrators of all human rights violations before and after August 5 must be brought to justice.

“It is not acceptable to have mob justice of any kind, and that is why you need the rule of law. Because otherwise, violence begets violence, as we see in so many situations around the world,” he told reporters at a city hotel at the end of the war. of his two-day visit to Bangladesh.

He was referring to those killed before and after the fall of the Awami League government in early August.

Hundreds of people were killed in the mass uprising that led to the ouster of Sheikh Hasina. But after he fled to India, many people, including police officers and Awami League activists, were killed in retaliation. Additionally, there have been attacks on minority communities.

A UN fact-finding mission is currently investigating human rights violations that took place between July 1 and August 15.

During his visit, Turk met with Chief Advisor Prof Muhammad Yunus, Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed, Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman, advisors, members of civil society, UN officials, diplomats and Dhaka University students who took part in the July protests. .

At least 1,695 murder cases, including 75 against politicians and businessmen linked to the Awami League, have been filed since the formation of the caretaker government on August 8.

Many cases have been filed under the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) Act, which contains a provision on the death penalty.

During his meetings with councilors, Turk said there were problems in the ICT law which needed to be in line with international human rights standards.

“Murders, all murders must be investigated. This is what human rights demand, because we cannot allow murders to happen with impunity,” Turk said .

Bangladesh must achieve justice, truth and reconciliation, he said, adding that he was visiting the country to see how his office could support the government during the transition process.

Regarding the government’s decision that no charges would be filed against those who contributed to the success of the mass uprising, he said the killings should be properly investigated regardless of the identity of the perpetrators .

Referring to the large number of cases, he said: “We cannot allow complaints to be filed for accusations that are not properly handled and therefore it is extremely important to resolve this problem and a commission has been established precisely to resolve this problem.

“In such a time, it is important that we do not repeat the past, that justice is properly served…meaning that cases are properly investigated and charges brought against those who committed committed crimes and also have the right to a fair trial.

On the banning of the Bangladesh Chhatra League under the Anti-Terrorism Act, he said: “The world has seen the consequences of the so-called global anti-terrorism campaign…Often, people who opposed the authorities were described as terrorists.

“We often see the labeling of terrorists to stifle dissent. It’s important to learn lessons from this country about how the label terrorism has been used to stifle dissent.”

The UN fact-finding mission is investigating attacks against minorities after August 5.

“The protection of minorities is absolutely essential. It is part of the human rights framework. We must ensure that reported attacks against minorities are investigated.

“There is also a lot of misinformation and disinformation, which is why it is all the more important to get to the facts, to identify the perpetrators.”

The situation in Bangladesh is unique and unprecedented, he said, adding that human rights and social justice are the main demands of the youth.

“Despite the grief and the sense of loss, there is a palpable hope that this time, through this transition, things will be different. So this time there must be justice, the reforms must be lasting, so that the practices abusive practices of the last decades are not repeated.”

He proposed establishing an office of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights here to support the transition and promote human rights in areas where reforms are underway.

After meeting Turk, Foreign Affairs Advisor Touhid Hossain told a press briefing that the government was studying the UN’s proposal to establish its office in Bangladesh.

Turk welcomed moves to repeal the Cybersecurity Act and remove old cases of speech offenses under it and the Digital Security Act.

Women are at the heart of social justice movements, including during the July protests, and they must be on the front lines during the transition and beyond. The participation of ethnic and religious minorities and indigenous peoples is also crucial, he said.

Reform initiatives can be an important step toward healing decades of intense political division.

Criminal charges should not be brought against individuals solely on the basis of their prior political affiliations, Turk added.

Meanwhile, press secretary to the chief adviser Shafiqul Alam said the UN fact-finding mission would finalize its report in the first week of December.

Turk urged the senior adviser to make the National Human Rights Commission independent and fully functional.

Professor Yunus said his government was committed to upholding the rights of every citizen.