UN rights chief calls for independent oversight of Bangladesh security forces

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United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has called for the establishment of a strong and independent national institution to oversee Bangladesh’s security and law enforcement agencies.

He made the call on Monday while addressing the global human rights situation at the 63rd session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Türk said the UN has repeatedly urged Bangladesh to strengthen independent oversight of its security forces and ensure greater accountability within law enforcement agencies.

The UN Human Rights Office’s fact-finding report on the July–August 2024 protests, published in February 2025, made 44 recommendations to improve the country’s human rights situation. Among them were independent oversight of law enforcement agencies, impartial investigations into serious violations, institutional reforms, civilian oversight and stronger accountability mechanisms.

The report also recommended giving Bangladesh’s National Human Rights Commission the authority to directly investigate allegations of human rights violations involving the armed forces, police and other law enforcement agencies.

It further called for adequate resources for the commission and a transparent, participatory and merit-based recruitment process in line with the Paris Principles.

Meanwhile, human rights organisations and legal experts have raised concerns that Bangladesh’s recently enacted laws on enforced disappearances and the National Human Rights Commission may not fully comply with international human rights standards, particularly regarding institutional independence, investigative authority and accountability.