Govt considers HR issues but won’t accept all foreign recommendations: Foreign Adviser Touhid
Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain on Tuesday said while the government takes human rights concerns into account, it cannot accept every recommendation made by international rights organisations.
"Of course, we take it into consideration and the government does whatever is possible when any concern comes about any human rights issue…. it will never be possible for the government to accept everything they say,” he told reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stressing that everyone will do their own work and that is what they think.
The Foreign Adviser made the remarks when a journalist drew his attention regarding the joint letter by the six international human rights bodies to Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, urging him to expand human rights protections and ensure Bangladesh has the strong institutions needed to guarantee “free and fair elections” and “guard against future backsliding.”
The journalist also drew his attention to the organisations’ call for ending the broad ban on Awami League activities under the Anti-Terrorism Act which “excessively restricts freedom of association, assembly, and expression and has been used to arrest Awami League members and perceived supporters” engaged in peaceful activities.
Asked about the government's position on this, the Foreign Affairs Adviser said not everyone has the same perspective.
“Everyone speaks from their own perspective. The government has to take many things into consideration and work. I think we will look at it this way,” Hossain said.
Responding to a question about whether the government will react to the letter from the six international human rights organisations, the Foreign Affairs Adviser said they (rights bodies) have given their observations.
“We will work according to our situation. If at any stage they have any objections to any issue or they want a specific answer from us, they will definitely let us know,” he added.
“We are deeply concerned that the security sector remains largely unreformed and that the members of security forces have not been fully cooperative with accountability and reform efforts,” said the Human Rights Watch, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, CIVICUS, Committee to Protect Journalists, Fortify Rights and Tech Global Institute in a joint letter to the Chief Adviser.
The Human Rights Watch (HRW) made the letter public on October 19.
The organisations called for ensuring press freedom and protecting journalists from arbitrary arrests and detention, regardless of perceived political affiliation, particularly where charges lack credible evidence or violate freedom of expression or other rights.
“We urge the interim government to protect journalists from harassment and violence from both state and non-state actors and pursue prompt, independent investigations into any attacks, while implementing the recommendations outlined by the Media Reform Commission that align with international standards for press freedom,” the letter reads.