UN calls for accountability for violence, rights violations during student protests

The United Nations has said that there will need to be accountability for the violence, for the loss of life, and for all violations of human and political rights during the student protests. 

Stéphane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN secretary-general made the remarks in response to a question at a press briefing on Tuesday. 

When asked whether the UN secretary-general called for justice for those responsible for the deaths of 819 people and the injury of 25,000 others, mostly from gunshot wounds under the shoot-on-sight orders by the former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, Dujarric said, "... We’ve been speaking about accountability since the beginning of this particular crisis."

At the briefing, Dujarric mentioned the congratulatory letter that the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres sent to Muhammad Yunus, the new Chief Adviser of the interim Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. 

"In the letter, the Secretary-General welcomes efforts to restore calm and organize parliamentary elections in Bangladesh.  The Secretary-General says that it is his hope that Mr Yunus’ Government will take an inclusive approach, including by considering the voices of young people as well as women, also those of minority and indigenous communities," Dujarric said. 

"Mr Guterres adds that he counts on the interim Government of Bangladesh to ensure the full protection of all citizens and, in particular, of minorities.  The Secretary-General has also strongly urged Mr Yunus to ensure the well-being of the Rohingya refugees, especially in view of the deteriorating situation in Myanmar," the spokesperson added.