The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk presents the UN Human Rights Office Fact-Finding Report and engages in a dialogue with member states and civil society on the findings and recommendations, with a view to promoting accountability, justice, and human rights reforms in Bangladesh. The Interim Government of Bangladesh and civil society representatives from Bangladesh are also participating in the event in Geneva.Türk delivered the report at 6:00pm Bangladesh time, with the event streamed live on the UN’s YouTube channel.The presentation followed an announcement on Tuesday that the report’s findings, along with recommendations for accountability, justice, and human rights reforms, would be discussed with member states and civil society. Representatives from Bangladesh’s interim government and civil society were also slated to participate.

On Monday, speaking at the 58th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, Türk expressed optimism about the report’s impact. “Our recent independent investigation offers a true and realistic picture of the situation, supporting accountability, reparations, and reform in Bangladesh,” he said, presenting a global human rights update. He stressed the need for due process in criminal cases and investigations into retaliatory violence against minorities.

Türk described Bangladesh’s violent setbacks in 2024 as significant, accusing the previous government of “brutally suppressing” student protests in violation of human rights. “The country is now charting a new future,” he noted, adding that the UN’s report would play a “significant role” in this transition.