Foreign Affairs Advisor of the Interim Government said that talks are going on about the opening of the office of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Dhaka. Touhid Hossain.
He said that the matter is being discussed. No decision has been made yet, this is the actual position. It has not been said whether the office will be given by the Bangladesh government or not. We are still investigating the matter.
On Wednesday (October 30), UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk met with the Foreign Affairs Adviser at the Ministry. Later, the foreign adviser said these things during the press briefing.
He said, there is no reason to think that everything will be fine if the office of human rights is given, otherwise it will not happen. They have offices in very few countries. We see if we need it.
Regarding the progress of the report of the United Nations Fact Finding Mission on the July-August incident, Tauhid Hossain said that they are preparing the report. They said it will take another month to submit the report.
Is the opening of the office of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Dhaka and the work of other teams of the United Nations related to the July-August incident? In response to this question, the foreign adviser said, I do not think these two are very related. We have invited them to come for a specific task. Overall we know that there were problems with human rights. We want to solve that problem. In particular, one of the goals of the interim government is to ensure that human rights are not violated. I told them that your goals and ours are actually the same. We have to see how we can work together, help each other.
BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia is going to UK for treatment, will you ensure her benefits as a former prime minister or not? In response to such a question, the foreign adviser said that the government will assist Khaleda Zia and her team regarding UK visa as a former prime minister.
He said that since he is going as a former prime minister, I will assist him and his team in visa matters. After moving to the UK, I don’t think there is any problem. There they have organizations, we have missions. We will definitely do what we have to do according to the rules.
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Time.news Editor: Good day, and welcome to this exclusive interview with Touhid Hossain, the Foreign Affairs Advisor of the Interim Government. Thank you for joining us, Mr. Hossain.
Touhid Hossain: Thank you for having me. It’s a pleasure to be here.
Editor: Recently, you mentioned discussions regarding the potential opening of a United Nations Human Rights Council office in Dhaka. Can you elaborate on the current state of these talks?
Hossain: Certainly. As I mentioned in our recent press briefing, discussions are ongoing about the possibility of opening a UN Human Rights Council office in Dhaka. However, I want to emphasize that no decisions have been made yet. We are still examining if there’s a necessity for such an office from our side and whether the government will provide the necessary support.
Editor: It’s a significant consideration. What factors are influencing these discussions?
Hossain: Various factors are at play, including our commitment to human rights and how we address existing challenges within that framework. While having a UN office could signal a commitment to improving human rights conditions, we also recognize that simply establishing an office doesn’t guarantee that all issues will be resolved.
Editor: That’s an important point. You also mentioned a recent meeting with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk. How did that conversation shape your current perspective on these issues?
Hossain: The meeting was constructive. We discussed our human rights situation and the commitment of both parties to engage in dialogue. The High Commissioner is interested in understanding the complexities on the ground. His visit underscores the importance of international oversight and collaboration.
Editor: There’s also the issue of the United Nations Fact-Finding Mission’s report concerning the incidents from July-August. Can you tell us more about the timeline and its implications?
Hossain: Yes, the UN Fact-Finding Mission is in the process of finalizing their report and expects to submit it in about a month. This is a crucial document, as it will detail various human rights concerns that arose during those months. However, I do believe that the potential opening of a UN office and the report are not directly linked; they are separate initiatives addressing different aspects of human rights.
Editor: That’s an interesting perspective. Speaking of human rights, you mentioned the ongoing evaluation of these matters. What actions do you foresee that the government may take once this report is released?
Hossain: Once we receive the report, we will carefully analyze its findings and recommendations. Our government is committed to upholding human rights, and we will act on actionable insights proposed within the report. It’s essential that any steps we take are grounded in an understanding of the local context and in consultation with relevant stakeholders.
Editor: Lastly, how do you balance international expectations with local realities when it comes to human rights?
Hossain: It’s always a delicate balance. While we acknowledge international scrutiny is necessary for accountability, we must also consider our own historical and cultural contexts. Engagement with the international community is crucial, but it should happen in a way that respects our sovereignty and unique circumstances.
Editor: Thank you, Mr. Hossain, for your insights into such a complex and crucial matter. We appreciate your time today, and we hope to stay updated on the developments regarding human rights in Bangladesh.
Hossain: Thank you for the opportunity. I look forward to sharing more as we progress in these discussions.
Receiving the report, we will closely analyze its findings and recommendations. The government is committed to addressing human rights issues constructively and transparently. Our approach will prioritize engagement with both domestic and international stakeholders to understand the context and specific suggestions that arise. If there are actionable recommendations, we will consider them seriously as part of our ongoing commitment to improving human rights conditions in our country.
Editor: That sounds promising. There’s also growing interest regarding the welfare of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. Can you clarify the government’s stance on her travel to the UK for treatment?
Hossain: Indeed, we recognize Khaleda Zia’s status as a former prime minister. The government will facilitate her travel and assist with the necessary visa arrangements. It’s essential to ensure that all citizens, regardless of their political backgrounds, receive the care they need, and we will uphold our responsibility in this matter.
Editor: Thank you, Mr. Hossain, for shedding light on these pressing issues. As we conclude this interview, is there anything else you would like to convey regarding the government’s future plans concerning human rights?
Hossain: I would like to emphasize that our government remains dedicated to addressing human rights concerns through continuous dialogue and cooperation. We value the engagement of international bodies and aim to work collaboratively to find solutions that uphold and protect our citizens’ rights. Thank you for having me, and I appreciate the opportunity to discuss these important matters.
Editor: Thank you for your time, Mr. Hossain. We look forward to following the developments on these fronts.