Dhaka, July 19: The Government of Bangladesh has signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to establish a dedicated mission in the country. The agreement, announced by the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing, aims to strengthen Bangladesh’s efforts to promote and protect human rights.
The OHCHR office will provide technical assistance, legal support, and training to both government institutions and civil society organisations. Its broader goal is to help Bangladesh meet its national and international human rights obligations through institutional development and capacity-building.
The statement acknowledged past serious human rights violations, particularly during July and August 2024, and framed this partnership as a step toward reform and accountability. Addressing public concerns, the government clarified that the OHCHR mission will not promote any ideological agenda, and will respect Bangladesh’s legal, cultural, and religious values.
“We expect full transparency from the mission and close coordination with local stakeholders,” the government said, adding that it retains the sovereign right to withdraw from the agreement if national interests are compromised.
Officials noted that if such an office had existed during previous regimes, grave abuses such as extrajudicial killings and massacres might have been properly investigated. The government reiterated that this initiative reflects a commitment to justice—not ideology—and will strengthen protections for citizens in line with Bangladesh’s laws and values.