Freedom of expression vital for fair polls
UN human rights commissioner Michelle Bachelet yesterday said the student protesters and media professionals in Bangladesh were attacked, arrested, charged with defamation, and reportedly ill-treated in recent months.
Addressing the UN Human Rights Council session in Geneva, she said the perpetrators of this violence must be held accountable to prevent recurrence.
Bachelet said the government should do more to ensure freedom of expression, which is indispensable for free and fair elections.
“Troubling reports also indicate that an anti-narcotics drive has led to over 220 killings, and thousands of arrests, with allegations of extrajudicial executions.
“Drug issues everywhere are best tackled through a focus on health, education and opportunities -- not the death penalty, or death squads. The Office has submitted a report to this session on more effective, and human rights compliant, measures to address narcotics issues,” she said.
The next parliamentary polls in Bangladesh are likely to be held in late December.
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