Why the UN is opening a Human Rights office in Bangladesh
The United Nations is preparing to open a Human Rights Office in Bangladesh following the interim government's approval of a draft memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening cooperation on human rights oversight in the country.
Law Adviser Asif Nazrul confirmed on Sunday, June 29, that the Council of Advisors, chaired by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, had approved the draft MoU “in principle,” paving the way for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to establish its presence in Dhaka for an initial term of three years.
The move follows months of discussions with the UN, particularly in the aftermath of the July 2024 student-led uprising that toppled the Sheikh Hasina government.
According to a UN Fact-Finding Mission report released in February 2025, approximately 1,400 people were killed during the unrest and its aftermath, with evidence pointing to serious human rights violations by state security forces and affiliated groups.
“There has been remarkable progress in our dialogue with the UN,” said Nazrul. “If serious human rights violations occur in the future, we hope both the OHCHR and local agencies can play a crucial role in addressing them.”
The OHCHR’s future presence in Bangladesh is widely seen as a response to international concerns over accountability and justice following last year’s political violence. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk expressed interest in expanding the UN’s role during a visit to Dhaka in October 2024.
The office’s establishment is intended to support ongoing reforms in Bangladesh’s political, legal, and law enforcement sectors, according to UN Resident Coordinator Gwyn Lewis, who confirmed the agreement was near finalisation during remarks in early June.
The MoU’s final draft will be reviewed by the interim government before being submitted to the OHCHR for approval. Once signed, the office will begin operations and may be extended beyond its initial three-year term based on mutual agreement.
The development reinforces global efforts to ensure transparency, uphold human rights, and provide independent oversight in a country undergoing political transition.
The UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) operates 18 country or stand-alone offices, including 16 in nations such as Colombia, Sudan, and Palestine, one field office in Seoul for North Korea, and a monitoring mission in Ukraine.
To establish these offices, OHCHR negotiates a comprehensive mandate with host governments. This mandate typically includes human rights monitoring, protection, technical assistance, capacity-building, engagement with national authorities and civil society, and public reporting.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
