The United Nations has expressed grave concern over the murder of secular writer and blogger Avijit Roy, terming the attack on the freethinker the “latest shock in an escalating atmosphere of political violence."
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein made the statement while presenting the High Commissioner’s annual report in Geneva Thursday.
He also expressed concern at “measures that restrict freedom of expression and democratic space” in numerous countries, including Bangladesh.
“Civil society and freedom of speech are also under attack, not only by extremists, but also due to heavy-handed official responses.”
Referring to the Avijit murder, he said: “In Bangladesh, the appalling attack on a freethinking blogger and his wife last week is the latest shock in an escalating atmosphere of political violence.”
The UN commissioner for Human rights is worried over the ongoing political atmosphere and democratic practices in Bangladesh.
Regarding the issue of political violence in Bangladesh, he said: “At least 80 people have been killed, including several children, in arson attacks and clashes between political parties and security forces.”
“I join the Secretary-General in appealing to all political leaders to de-escalate the violence, find paths of political dialogue and ensure respect for human rights.”
He also opined that the world may be “at a turning point in our young and troubled century,” and urged states not “to lose their grasp” of the human rights principles underlying their societies in their struggle against violent extremism.
