Thursday, 10 July, 2025
The United Nations has issued a strong warning to the Bangladesh Army, cautioning that any involvement in the July movement could cost them their participation in peacekeeping missions.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, delivered this warning in an interview with BBC's HARDtalk, aired on March 5.
"We explicitly warned the army that if they intervened, they risk losing their status as a troop-contributing country," Türk stated. He noted that this warning led to significant shifts, particularly after Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus assumed office as chief adviser to the interim administration.
Discussing the July-August 2024 protests, Türk described the mass student demonstrations against Sheikh Hasina’s government, highlighting widespread repression. "Students had enough of the previous government. The crackdown was severe. Their hope was our voice, our intervention, and our ability to shine a spotlight on the situation," he said.
After taking office, Dr. Yunus formally requested the UN to send a fact-finding mission to Bangladesh. Türk emphasized that this mission was crucial in drawing global attention to the crisis. "When I visited Bangladesh last year, students expressed deep gratitude for our support and outspokenness," he added.
On March 5, Türk presented a detailed report in Geneva, documenting human rights violations during the protests. Based on the fact-finding mission, the report exposed systematic abuses by former government officials, security forces, and ruling party affiliates. Türk stressed that accountability is essential for justice. "Ensuring accountability for these violations is critical," he asserted.
Released on February 12, the report also outlined recommendations for human rights reforms in Bangladesh. Representatives from the interim government and civil society attended the Geneva event, engaging in discussions on implementing the findings and fostering justice and reforms in the country.
Since its first UN peacekeeping deployment in 1988, the Bangladesh Army has emerged as one of the largest and most respected troop-contributing nations.
Bangladeshi peacekeepers have served in conflict zones across Africa, the Middle East, and beyond, playing a vital role in maintaining stability, rebuilding war-torn societies, and providing humanitarian aid. Their professionalism, discipline, and commitment to peace have earned international recognition, strengthening Bangladesh’s global diplomatic standing.
Over the decades, thousands of Bangladeshi soldiers have participated in UN missions, contributing to conflict resolution while upholding the nation’s reputation as a key player in global peacekeeping efforts. More than 65 Bangladeshi peacekeepers lost their lives while 258 were injured in the line of duty in different UN missions to bring peace to various war-ravaged parts of the world for more than three decades.
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The United Nations has issued a strong warning to the Bangladesh Army, cautioning that any involvement in the July movement could cost them their participation in peacekeeping missions.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, delivered this warning in an interview with BBC's HARDtalk, aired on March 5.
"We explicitly warned the army that if they intervened, they risk losing their status as a troop-contributing country," Türk stated. He noted that this warning led to significant shifts, particularly after Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus assumed office as chief adviser to the interim administration.
Discussing the July-August 2024 protests, Türk described the mass student demonstrations against Sheikh Hasina’s government, highlighting widespread repression. "Students had enough of the previous government. The crackdown was severe. Their hope was our voice, our intervention, and our ability to shine a spotlight on the situation," he said.
After taking office, Dr. Yunus formally requested the UN to send a fact-finding mission to Bangladesh. Türk emphasized that this mission was crucial in drawing global attention to the crisis. "When I visited Bangladesh last year, students expressed deep gratitude for our support and outspokenness," he added.
On March 5, Türk presented a detailed report in Geneva, documenting human rights violations during the protests. Based on the fact-finding mission, the report exposed systematic abuses by former government officials, security forces, and ruling party affiliates. Türk stressed that accountability is essential for justice. "Ensuring accountability for these violations is critical," he asserted.
Released on February 12, the report also outlined recommendations for human rights reforms in Bangladesh. Representatives from the interim government and civil society attended the Geneva event, engaging in discussions on implementing the findings and fostering justice and reforms in the country.
Since its first UN peacekeeping deployment in 1988, the Bangladesh Army has emerged as one of the largest and most respected troop-contributing nations.
Bangladeshi peacekeepers have served in conflict zones across Africa, the Middle East, and beyond, playing a vital role in maintaining stability, rebuilding war-torn societies, and providing humanitarian aid. Their professionalism, discipline, and commitment to peace have earned international recognition, strengthening Bangladesh’s global diplomatic standing.
Over the decades, thousands of Bangladeshi soldiers have participated in UN missions, contributing to conflict resolution while upholding the nation’s reputation as a key player in global peacekeeping efforts. More than 65 Bangladeshi peacekeepers lost their lives while 258 were injured in the line of duty in different UN missions to bring peace to various war-ravaged parts of the world for more than three decades.
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