Dhaka:   A United Nations human rights delegation is scheduled to visit Dhaka next week to engage with Bangladesh’s interim government on investigating human rights violations that occurred during the recent unrest. This visit comes as Bangladesh faces the aftermath of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation, with ongoing discussions between UN officials and the interim leadership.

UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq announced that the visit will focus on the UN’s potential role in assisting Bangladesh through its political transition. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, has already spoken with Bangladesh’s interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, about various forms of support the UN Human Rights Office could offer, particularly concerning accountability measures.

The UN delegation will discuss potential areas of cooperation with the interim government, including the framework for investigating human rights violations associated with the recent violence. Turk stressed the need for a “comprehensive, impartial, and transparent investigation” into all reported human rights abuses, calling it a crucial initial step towards accountability.

Complicating the situation further, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Geneva reported attacks on Hindu temples following Hasina’s resignation, raising concerns about the protection of minority communities in Bangladesh.