A team of the UN fact-finding mission, which is now in Bangladesh to investigate human rights abuses from July 1 to August 15, met Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Tuesday.
During the meeting, Touhid Hossain said he reiterated the interim government's commitment to have a completely neutral investigation of the killings and mass uprising that saw the resignation of Sheikh Hasina as the prime minister on August 5.
"It's a courtesy call on as they will start working," the foreign adviser told journalists when asked.
"They want to avoid publicity so they will not talk. We also want to have it completely neutral,” he said, adding that he has conveyed support of the interim government of anything needed.
"We are ready to help them. They are happy for the offer. But they didn't seek any help. If needed they will seek support. They will not make any public statement," he said.
Earlier, individuals, groups, and organizations are invited 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 the protests during that period.
Submissions should be sent to [email protected], the UN office in Dhaka said.
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."
They arrived at the invitation of the interim government.
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.
