Nearly 600 people, including Bangladeshi Hindus, were killed in anti-government protests in neighboring Bangladesh in August. India has been raising the issue of security of Bangladeshi Hindus since the beginning. Now the United Nations has also demanded investigation and protection of the minorities killed in the violence.
A top UN human rights official on Wednesday called for a full investigation into all killings and other rights violations that occurred during violent clashes before and after the fall of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk called for an investigation, saying the investigation was vital to advance an inclusive approach where every voice is heard regardless of class, gender, race, political ideology, identity or religion.
High Commissioner for Human Rights visits Bangladesh
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk concluded a two-day visit to Bangladesh on Wednesday. His visit comes at a time when the interim government led by Nobel laureate Mohammad Yunus is facing challenges to restore order in the country.
The United Nations sent a fact-finding team to Bangladesh even before the Yunus government made a formal request to investigate the killings in the violence. This included investigating the assassination of opponents of Sheikh Hasi's regime as well as the violence that followed his fall.
Protest by Hindus
Since the formation of Sheikh Hasina's government, attacks on Hindus have increased in Bangladesh, against which many human rights groups including India have raised their voice. Thousands of Hindus in Bangladesh are protesting against the violence against them and for their safety. Turkey stressed the need to fully investigate allegations of attacks on minority groups in the country.