Bangladesh’s former foreign minister, Professor Dr. A. K. Abdul Momen, has issued an urgent appeal to Commonwealth leaders, warning that recent political and judicial developments in the country pose serious risks to democratic stability and international procedural norms.
In a formal letter circulated to Commonwealth Heads of Government, Dr. Momen argues that Bangladesh is facing “a matter of profound importance for stability, democratic integrity, and human rights.” He urges immediate and coordinated engagement by the Commonwealth, noting that the situation has deteriorated sharply since the formation of the army- and Islamist-backed interim authority led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus in August 2024.
Rights organizations have already documented sweeping abuses under the interim government. Ain O Salish Kendra has reported over 300 killings in the first four days after the regime took power.
Minority rights groups have recorded more than 2,000 cases of murder, rape, arson, and assault targeting Hindu, Buddhist, and Christian communities between August 4 and 20. Activists say mobs aligned with the authorities have raided homes of Awami League supporters while security forces looked on.
Reports continue to surface of political detainees being assaulted inside court premises, and journalists, teachers, and academics facing politically motivated charges and forced resignations.
Against this backdrop, Dr. Momen warns that recent judicial decisions appear to be part of a broader pattern designed to eliminate political opposition.
Concerns over UN procedural breaches
A major focus of the letter is a report issued by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk that has been cited as the basis for a controversial verdict in Bangladesh, including a death sentence.
Dr. Momen argues that the report was never approved by the UN Human Rights Council, was not submitted to the Council, and was issued in a way that “raises questions about due process and neutrality.”
He warns that relying on an unapproved document to justify capital punishment undermines established UN procedures and sets a dangerous precedent. “A review of this procedural breach is urgently required,” he states.
“Vengeance, not justice”
Dr. Momen criticizes the verdict delivered in absentia against a former Bangladeshi prime minister — widely understood to refer to Sheikh Hasina — alleging that the ruling was driven by political retaliation.
He writes that the process denied defense attorneys, barred cross-examination, relied on questionable evidence, and placed the government simultaneously “as judge, witness, investigator, and executioner.”
Such actions, he warns, violate core Commonwealth values of impartial justice and judicial independence.
A critical opening for the Commonwealth
The letter highlights the upcoming November visit of the Commonwealth Secretary-General to Bangladesh as a decisive opportunity to help restore democratic conditions.
Dr. Momen calls on Commonwealth leaders to press the authorities to allow full participation of all political parties, including the Awami League, and to remove bans on political rallies and assemblies. He also urges the release of political detainees, journalists, and civil society activists, as well as the deployment of international election observers.
He further stresses that the Commonwealth’s own 2026–2030 strategic plan — which prioritizes free, fair, and inclusive elections across member states — must be upheld “without exception.”
Appeal for collective action
“Bangladesh is at a critical juncture,” Dr. Momen writes, arguing that only coordinated international engagement can prevent deeper unrest and safeguard democratic rights.
His letter arrives at a time when public discontent, reports of human rights violations, and concerns over politicized institutions continue to intensify under the interim government.
Full Text of the Letter from Professor Dr. A. K. Abdul Momen
From: Professor Dr. A. K. Abdul Momen, PhD, MBA, MPA, LLB, MA, BA (Hons)
Former Foreign Minister of Bangladesh (2019-2024), former Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN (2009-2015) and Member of Bangladesh Parliament
Your Excellencies,
Subject: Urgent Commonwealth Attention Required on Procedural Irregularities and Democratic Risks in Bangladesh
I am writing to draw your urgent attention to a matter of profound importance for the stability, democratic integrity, and human rights situation in Bangladesh — a fellow member of the Commonwealth family.
Recent developments have raised serious concerns that warrant immediate and coordinated Commonwealth engagement.
- Procedural irregularities involving the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
A report issued by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr. Volker Türk, has been used as the basis for a highly controversial verdict, including a death sentence, in Bangladesh.
However:
(1) The report was not approved by the UN Human Rights Council,
(2) It was never submitted to the HRC, and
(3) It was issued in a manner inconsistent with established UN Rules of Procedure.
Such unilateral action raises questions about due process and neutrality, especially when the report has been used to legitimize politically charged judicial decisions including death sentences.
A review of this procedural breach is urgently required to protect the integrity of international institutions.
- Verdict appears to reflect vengeance, not justice
The verdict delivered against a former Prime Minister in absentia denying defense attorneys and denying opportunity to cross examine the fraudulent charges — including capital punishment — appears closely aligned with political retaliation rather than impartial justice. The speed of the proceedings, questionable evidence, and reliance on an unapproved UN report are deeply worrying. The government itself was the judge, the witness, the investigator and also the executioner in a kangaroo court.
Commonwealth principles require judicial independence, fairness, and transparency.
What has unfolded in Bangladesh risks further destabilisation, public unrest, and erosion of democratic governance.
- Upcoming visit of the Commonwealth Secretary-General: a decisive opportunity
The visit of the Commonwealth Secretary-General to Bangladesh from 20–24 November presents a critical window to help restore democratic conditions and prevent a deeper crisis.
I respectfully urge Commonwealth Heads of Government to support the following essential steps during and after the visit:
- Ensure a free, fair, transparent, and inclusive electoral process with the full participation of all political parties, including the Awami League.
- Press for the removal of bans on political parties, public rallies, and peaceful assemblies.
- Call for the immediate release of all political detainees, journalists, and civil society actors.
- Support deployment of credible international observers to strengthen confidence in the electoral process.
- Encourage all parties to refrain from reprisals and maintain a climate conducive to peaceful political activity.
These measures are crucial for safeguarding the democratic rights of the Bangladeshi people and preventing violence.
- A call to uphold Commonwealth values
Bangladesh is at a critical juncture. The Commonwealth’s leadership — rooted in democracy, rule of law, and human rights — can play an essential role in safeguarding stability and ensuring that the upcoming elections are credible, inclusive, and peaceful. Moreover, the goal of the Commonwealth’s strategic 5-year plan (2026-2030) to ensure free, fair and inclusive elections involving all political parties in Commonwealth countries must be implemented without exception.
I respectfully request the collective engagement of Commonwealth Heads of Government to ensure that Bangladesh does not descend into further unrest, and that the fundamental principles of the Commonwealth Charter are upheld.
Respectfully,
এ কে আব্দুল মোমেন
Professor Dr. A. K. Abdul Momen
Former Foreign Minister of Bangladesh and
Former Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the United Nations
