UN rights chief urges independent oversight of Bangladesh law enforcement

United Nations (UN) high commissioner for human rights Volker Türk called Monday for a strong, independent national body to oversee Bangladesh’s law enforcement agencies, renewing a recommendation tied to accountability and institutional reform.

“We have been calling for a strong and independent national institution that can oversee the work of law enforcement agencies in Bangladesh,” Türk told 63rd session of UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Office of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) issued a fact-finding report on Feb. 12, 2025, documenting serious human rights violations during Bangladesh’s 2024 July Uprising. It made 44 recommendations, including independent investigations, stronger civilian oversight, and expanded powers for Bangladesh’s National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

Human rights groups and legal experts have also raised concerns that recent laws on enforced disappearances and NHRC fall short of international standards.