UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk is visiting Dhaka on Tuesday for a two-day trip at the invitation of the interim government, with discussions on opening an Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) a key focus.
He 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. He will also deliver a lecture at Dhaka University.
"While some may view the presence of a Human Rights Office negatively, it actually signals to the international community that the government is committed to improving the situation and turning a new page. This presence reflects a genuine commitment to openness," said an expert who has knowledge about the Human Rights Office's activities in different countries.
"Such offices are typically very helpful when a country undergoes substantial reforms amid uncertainty and fragility, requiring government support. These offices are not imposed; they are agreed upon by the government as beneficial for the transition.
"Their presence is not unlimited; it usually lasts a minimum of two years, with the possibility of renewal if necessary," the expert, who preferred anonymity, told Dhaka Tribune.
"Overall, the goal is to assist the government during its transition period."
Human rights issues came to the forefront following the July-August movement, which resulted in hundreds of protesters being killed and thousands sustaining varying degrees of injuries.
OHCHR has already deployed a fact-finding team to Bangladesh, with a view to reporting on violations and abuses perpetrated during protests, analyzing the root causes, making recommendations to advance justice and accountability, and for longer-term reforms.
Dr Yunus also invited the chief of the UN Human Rights Office to visit Bangladesh and assist with his planned reforms agenda.
To assist, the Human Rights Office needs to have an office in Bangladesh, and to open that office, they have to sign a host country agreement. They have already shared a draft agreement text with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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).
Once established, the country office would assist the Bangladesh government in developing and implementing policies to promote and protect human rights.
"It is not unusual to have an office like this, especially during transitions following significant changes aimed at restoring democracy, ending conflicts and establishing peace," said the expert.
"For example, in Nepal, an office operated for six years starting in 2006. After the peace accord was signed and a new constitution adopted, they phased it out. This support was crucial in helping to end the conflict.
"In Timor-Leste, the Human Rights Office operated for nine years beginning in 2001, following their independence.
"The duration of these offices depends on their purpose. Their establishment is not a directive from the Human Rights Council or the Security Council; rather, they come at the invitation of the government," the expert added.
"They are currently exploring how this office could be beneficial [to Bangladesh].”
The office plays two main roles: first, providing technical advice on reforming laws, drafting new legislation and establishing accountability processes. They can also support new social and economic policies with technical expertise.
Second, they help inform both the public and the government about ongoing issues through impartial, objective processes. They offer objective analysis and unbiased feedback on what is happening on the ground.
In Cambodia, the Human Rights Office engages with the government to reform the prison system, providing training and facilitating UN team visits to gather feedback on prison conditions. They also intervene at protest sites to de-escalate tensions between opposing groups.
Additionally, in Cambodia, the office contributes to improving the judiciary by digitizing court recordings and establishing an information management system. They regularly visit courts to monitor progress.
"This approach is very practical; the office does not interfere in the judicial process but rather provides feedback to help drive reforms," said the expert.
"The intention is to be supportive and helpful to the government during periods of change, fostering reliance on institutions afterwards."
"For instance, they have helped enhance the credibility of the Nepal government’s Human Rights Council, making it more trustworthy in the eyes of the public.
"Funding for these offices does not come from a single source; rather, it typically involves a mix of funding to prevent any one donor from exerting undue influence over the Human Rights Office," the expert said.
