New York, March 10, 2025 – A coalition of Bangladeshi American community leaders has formally urged the United Nations to investigate and suspend UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, accusing him of exceeding his authority and interfering in Bangladesh’s internal affairs.
In a letter addressed to UN Secretary-General António Guterres, the group alleged that Türk made politically motivated statements regarding Bangladesh’s military and its role in the country’s political transition. Specifically, they cited his BBC HARDtalk interview, where he reportedly warned the Bangladesh Army about potential consequences, including exclusion from UN peacekeeping missions, if it engaged in violence against protesters during the July-August 2024 unrest.
The letter, signed by several prominent figures from the Bangladeshi American community, argued that Türk’s remarks constituted a violation of Article 2(7) of the UN Charter, which prohibits the UN from intervening in matters within a nation’s domestic jurisdiction. The signatories emphasized that only the UN Security Council or the Department of Peace Operations has the authority to make decisions about peacekeeping participation, not the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Allegations of Bias and Political Influence
The group also criticized an OHCHR report on the Bangladesh protests, claiming it was biased against the former Awami League-led government while downplaying violence committed by opposition groups, Islamist militants, and criminal factions. They argued that the report failed to acknowledge a series of violent incidents, including mob attacks, targeted assassinations, and arson against government supporters.
Additionally, the letter raised concerns about Türk’s alleged connections with Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus, who was named as a key figure in Bangladesh’s political transition. The signatories questioned whether Türk’s actions were influenced by personal or political motivations, calling for an inquiry into his relationship with Yunus and his role in the resignation of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Demands for UN Action
The signatories urged the UN to take the following steps:
1. Conduct a thorough investigation into Türk’s alleged involvement in Bangladesh’s political transition and any conflicts of interest.
2. Suspend Türk from his position pending the outcome of the inquiry.
3. Examine potential bias in Türk’s actions and whether he held any personal animosity against the former government.
4. Ensure future UN reports on Bangladesh are balanced and reflective of all sides of the conflict.
The letter warned that failure to address these concerns could damage the credibility of the United Nations and its commitment to neutrality in global affairs.
As of now, neither Volker Türk nor the UN has publicly responded to the allegations.