Bangladesh Army denies direct UN contact on human rights concerns

The Bangladesh Army has refuted claims of direct communication from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, following his recent BBC HARDtalk interview. 

In a statement issued Monday, the army clarified that any concerns raised by Türk were directed to the previous government, not its leadership.  

“Please note that the Bangladesh Army received no direct communication from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights regarding the issues Mr. Türk mentioned. If concerns were raised, they were conveyed to the erstwhile Government of Bangladesh,” the statement read.  

The army accused certain groups of misrepresenting Türk’s remarks, distorting its role and risking reputational harm. It reaffirmed its commitment to national security, the rule of law, and human rights, pointing to its neutral stance during the 1991 democratic transition and its impartial actions in ensuring public safety during the July-August 2024 protests.  

As the second-largest contributor to UN peacekeeping missions, the army highlighted its global reputation for professionalism, noting that peacekeeping efforts have generated approximately Tk 27,000 crore for the national economy over 23 years. 

It emphasised its strong ties with the UN human rights body and called for open dialogue to address any concerns constructively.