UN Concern Over Bangladesh: Turk Criticizes Electoral Reform and Ban on Awami League

Geneva, Switzerland, June 16, 2025 — At the 59th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on Monday expressed concern over Bangladesh’s political and economic situation. He called for reforms to ensure free and inclusive elections and criticized recent legal amendments that ban political parties.Türk stated, “I am encouraged by the progress in dialogue between Bangladesh’s interim government and political parties. However, the recent amendment to the law banning political parties and organizations limits the freedoms of association, expression, and assembly.” He also expressed hope for a swift agreement to enhance the UN Human Rights Office’s presence in Bangladesh.However, Türk did not mention the participation of Bangladesh’s largest political party, the Awami League, in the dialogue, although he criticized the move to ban the party. In contrast, UN Resident Representative to Bangladesh Gwen Lewis, in an interview on June 4, said, “Inclusive elections mean the participation of all people, not just political parties.” Her comments sparked widespread criticism both domestically and internationally, especially after harsh condemnation by the Awami League. Türk’s comments came two weeks after Lewis’s remarks.Earlier in January, in a BBC interview, Türk revealed that he had urged the Bangladesh military not to intervene during last July’s movement—an action that drew global criticism. This is the first time in nearly five months that Türk has addressed Bangladesh at the Human Rights Council.On the economic front, Türk warned about the impact of global trade wars and rising tariffs, saying, “This could be devastating for export-dependent countries like Bangladesh. Higher tariffs will reduce access to healthcare, education, and nutritious food and worsen gender inequality for women working in low-wage production sectors.”He also condemned the vulnerability of people in least developed countries due to a lack of social protection systems and highlighted the tendency for “disproportionate harm” toward the poorest populations. Türk called for resolving Bangladesh’s political instability, economic challenges, and human rights issues through dialogue and reform.