UN chief Antonio Guterres calls for inclusive elections in Bangladesh

In a statement issued by his Deputy Spokesperson late on Monday (New York time), the UN chief also called for full respect of the human rights across the country.

“The Secretary-General welcomes efforts to restore calm and organize parliamentary elections in Bangladesh, with the support of an interim government,” UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq said.

He also called on the interim administration being led by Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunis “to continue to make every effort” to be inclusive, taking into account the voices of women and youth as well as those of minority and indigenous communities, as the country moves towards new elections.

Mr. Yunus and the Grameen Bank, which he founded, were the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for their work based around grassroots economic and social development.

He was sworn in last Thursday as the chief adviser to the interim government (a position equivalent to the Prime Minister), after Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country following weeks of protests.

The statement further noted that the Secretary-General stood in “full solidarity” with the people of Bangladesh and called for the full respect of their human rights. 

“He continues to underscore the need for a full, independent, impartial, and transparent investigation into all acts of violence,” the statement added.

Dramatic fall of the Government

More than 300 people, including many children, are said to have been killed since student-led protests erupted in July, while more than 20,000 were injured. The bloodshed was among the worst ever witnessed in Bangladesh.

The unrest began in July with protests by students against civil service job quotas. Though the scheme was withdrawn, protests erupted again in early August, with the key demand for PM Hasina to quit and for those responsible for the violent suppression of demonstrations to be held accountable.

Ms. Hasina had been in power since January 2009, having earlier led the country from 1996 to 2001.