Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has proposed opening a country office in Bangladesh following recent political changes.
Officials said the issue will be discussed during High Commissioner Volker Türk’s visit to Bangladesh in the last week of October.
His office has already shared a draft agreement text with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The UN human rights chief is expected to meet Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus and other stakeholders to have broad discussions on rights issues, including the establishment of the office.
OHCHR has already deployed a fact-finding team to Bangladesh, with a view to reporting on violations and abuses perpetrated during the July-August protests, analyzing the root causes, making recommendations to advance justice and accountability, and for longer-term reforms.
Once established, the country office would assist the Bangladesh government in developing and implementing policies to promote and protect human rights.
A mandate typically includes human rights monitoring and analysis, protection, and interaction with and the provision of technical assistance to the host government, national authorities, civil society, victims and other relevant counterparts through targeted technical cooperation activities, capacity-building and public reporting.
It aims to integrate human rights into economic development and would conduct research to inform policy-making.
Additionally, the office would focus on reforming police and legal systems, providing advice and accountability for past human rights violations.
The OHCHR personnel could have unfettered access to all places of arrest, detention, or interrogation, if they want.
Establishing a country office in Bangladesh could lead to significant challenges, especially in a politically sensitive environment, despite its role in promoting human rights globally.
Expert opinion
A former ambassador who served in UN missions told Dhaka Tribune that the perception of foreign interference and the politicization of human rights are potential drawbacks.
“These issues are influenced by Bangladesh's specific political, social, cultural and diplomatic context, as well as how OHCHR interacts with local stakeholders,” said the ambassador who wished not to be named.
“Donor countries that fund the OHCHR office often seek to exert influence over that country’s domestic policies. Some human rights issues which are globally accepted may not align with our own country's values. For instance, the rights of LGBTQ and comprehensive sexuality education may clash with the cultural and religious sentiments prevalent in Bangladesh,” the former ambassador said.
Meanwhile, former ambassador Humayun Kabir said regardless of the presence of any UN offices, Bangladesh must fulfil human rights obligations to move further forward.
“To be part of the global community, we must actively engage with and uphold human rights issues. We are committed to doing this, but currently fall short,” he told this correspondent.
“Regardless of whether we have an OHCHR office, we must fulfil our human rights obligations as we move toward [LDC] graduation. If we want to secure GSP+ status from the European Union after graduation in 2026, we need to accede to 30 to 32 human rights instruments, as they have indicated. We have limited options if we want to accept GSP+,” he said.
“Compliance issues, both social and environmental, will also be significant factors. We must act responsibly, regardless of the presence of such an office,” he said.
When asked about political consensus on opening a UN human rights office, he said: “International commitments are made at the state level, not just by the government. Therefore, any agreements signed today will remain as Bangladeshi documents, even if there are changes in government.”
The UN General Assembly established OHCHR in December 1993 through its resolution 48/141 which also details its mandate.
In establishing country offices and standalone ones, OHCHR negotiates with the host government a full mandate that includes human rights protection and promotion.
OHCHR’s 18 country or standalone offices include 16 country offices in Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Chad, Colombia, Guatemala, Guinea, Honduras, Liberia, Mauritania, Mexico, Niger, the State of Palestine, the Syrian Arab Republic (based in Beirut), Sudan, Tunisia and Yemen; one field-based structure in Seoul that covers the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK); and the Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU).
Its income has two components: the UN regular budget, representing around 40%, and voluntary contributions from member states and other donors, representing around 60%.
The UN regular budget, approved by the General Assembly, is funded by “assessed contributions” from each member state. These are determined by a formula that takes into account the size and strength of their respective national economies, according to OHCHR.