UN Secretary-General calls for inclusive elections in Bangladesh
In one declare In remarks issued late Monday (New York time) by his deputy spokesman, the UN chief also called for full respect for human rights across the country.
“The Secretary-General welcomes efforts to restore calm and hold parliamentary elections in Bangladesh, with the support of the interim government,” said UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq.
He also called on the interim government led by Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunis to “continue to make every effort” to be inclusive, taking into account the voices of women and young people as well as those of minority and indigenous communities as the country heads towards new elections.
Mr. Yunus and the Grameen Bank he founded were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for their efforts in grassroots economic and social development.
He was sworn in last Thursday as chief adviser to the interim government (a position equivalent to prime minister), following Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. resigned and fled the country after weeks of protests..
The statement also noted that the Secretary-General stood in “full solidarity” with the people of Bangladesh and called for full respect for their human rights.
“He further stressed the need for a full, independent, fair and transparent investigation into all acts of violence.“, the statement added.
The Catastrophic Collapse of the Government
More than 300 people, including many childrenbelieved to have been killed since Student-led protests broke out in Julywhile more than 20,000 people were injured. The bloodshed was one of the worst ever witnessed in Bangladesh.
The unrest began in July with student protests against civil service job quotas. Although the plan was scrapped, Protests broke out again in early August.with the main demands being that Prime Minister Hasina resign and those responsible for the violent suppression of the protests be held accountable.
Ms Hasina has been in power since January 2009, having previously led the country from 1996 to 2001.
