UN rights body raises concerns over harassment of rights advocates, civil society leaders

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed concern on Tuesday regarding the "continued intimidation and harassment" of human rights advocates and leaders in Bangladesh through legal proceedings, including Nobel Prize winner Prof. Muhammad Yunus and two other senior Odhikar officials.

Legally harassing human rights activists, leaders of civil society, and other dissenting voices is a worrying development for Bangladesh's democracy and civil society. The independence of Bangladesh's judiciary would also be put to the test by these cases, according to a statement issued on Tuesday.

The Geneva-based spokespersons for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ravina Shamdasani and Marta Hurtado, briefed the media on this issue.

Volker Turk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, asserted that Prof. Yunus has been the target of intimidation and harassment for almost ten years. He is currently embroiled in two legal cases, the first for alleged labour law violations and the second for alleged corruption, both of which might result in prison sentences.

Volker Türk claims that although Professor Yunus, who is well-known for his efforts to end poverty through Grameen Bank, will have the chance to defend himself in court, "we are concerned that smear campaigns against him, often emanating from the highest levels of government, risk undermining his right to a fair trial and due process in line with international standards."

/MHK/