Dhaka (TDI): Bangladesh’s armed forces denied on Monday that United Nations (UN) pressure played a role in the decision by top brass last year not to quash protests that toppled ex-premier Sheikh Hasina’s government.
A student-led uprising ended Hasina’s 15-year rule in August last year, with soldiers failing to intervene as thousands marched on her palace and forced her into exile.
UN human rights chief Volker Turk said that his office had warned that military involvement in any crackdown could result in Bangladeshi soldiers being barred from peacekeeping missions, according to BBC.
Bangladesh’s military said in a statement that it had not received “any direct communication” to that effect.
Read More: Khaleda Zia Calls for Swift Elections in Bangladesh
These remarks appear to misrepresent the role of the Bangladesh Army and potentially undermines its professionalism, reputation and sacrifice, it said.
During the July-August 2024 demonstrations, the military once again stood by the people, ensuring public safety without bias or foreign influence.
Bangladesh is one of the largest contributors to United Nations peacekeeping forces internationally and its operations are a lucrative source of income for the country’s soldiers.
The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights sent a fact-finding mission to Bangladesh in 2024 to probe Hasina’s ouster.
Read More: Pakistan, Bangladesh Trade Crosses $1b Mark
Its report, published in February, found “reasonable grounds to believe that the top echelons” of Hasina’s government had committed grave rights violations while attempting to suppress the demonstrations that toppled her.
Over 800 people were killed during last year’s unrest.
