UN fact-finding team starts work, seeks first-hand info

Individuals, groups and organizations are invited by the UN to provide first-hand information that is not already on social media or otherwise in the public domain concerning the period of July 1 to August 15 and human rights violations and abuses in the context of protests during that period.

Submissions should be sent to [email protected], the United Nations office in Dhaka said as its team started working to conduct its investigation.

The team also plans to conduct interviews with victims, law enforcement officers, medical practitioners and witnesses. 

“The fact-finding is not a criminal investigation and is conducted independently of any national criminal justice process,” said a statement. 

"The fact-finding process is strictly confidential. The team will not be conducting any media interviews during the investigation phase. We appeal for respect for the confidentiality of the fact-finding process."

At the invitation of the interim government, a UN Human Rights Office fact-finding is conducting an independent and impartial investigation into alleged human rights violations that took place between July 1 and August 15 this year arising from the recent protests.

The fact-finding team is mandated to establish facts, identify responsibilities, analyze root causes, and make concrete recommendations for Bangladesh to address past human rights violations and prevent their recurrence, the UN office in Dhaka said.

After its on-site examination and data analysis, the UN Human Rights Office will publish a detailed human rights report containing key findings, conclusions and recommendations.