Dhaka, Mar 08 (V7N) –United Nations (UN) rights office has called upon the government for withdrawing the lawsuits lodged against journalists, lawyers, trade unionists, civil society activists and human rights defenders during past Awami League regime.

"Withdraw all pending criminal cases lodged against journalists, lawyers, trade unionists, civil society activists and other human rights defenders in respect to the conduct protected by the international human rights law, including freedoms of expression and of peaceful assembly," the UN agency said in a recent report.

The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) released its Fact-Finding Report titled "Human Rights Violations and Abuses related to the Protests of July and August 2024 in Bangladesh" from its Geneva office on February 12.

The OHCHR asked the Bangladesh authorities to order the security forces to immediately end any unlawful surveillance of journalists, political party supporters, trade unionists, civil society activists and human rights defenders.

"Take steps to effectively protect them against revenge violence and investigate and prosecute perpetrators of such attacks, while also facilitating claims for civil damages, including for attacks on private property," the UN report read.

The UN right office proposed initiating an independent public inquiry into surveillance of citizens by state security forces and publishing its findings.

It called for shutting down the National Telecommunications Monitoring Centre and ensuring that security agencies conducting surveillance operations act strictly in compliance with Bangladesh's international human rights law obligations.

The OHCHR recommended amending the vague provisions of the Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulation Act that were invoked as a basis for unchecked surveillance.

"Impose an immediate moratorium on Internet shutdowns, pending amendments to the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulation Act, ensuring that Internet shutdowns or blocking of specific websites or applications are subject to clear criteria, transparency and appropriate judicial and other independent oversight, and only implemented for a legitimate purpose and to the extent necessary and proportional in a democratic society," the UN fact-finding report said.

The OHCHR also suggested amending the National Human Rights Commission Act of 2009 to bring the Commission into full compliance with the Paris Principles and strengthen public confidence in it.

It underscored the need for appointing independent members of the Commission through a transparent and participatory process that includes genuine and credible engagement with all relevant stakeholders in Bangladesh, including civil society.

"Clarify that the Commission's mandate also entails the investigation of allegations against military, police, paramilitary and intelligence actors. Provide the Commission with the necessary financial and human resources to allow it to fulfill its mandate effectively, impartially and independently," the UN report asserted.

It also proposed imposing an immediate moratorium on arrests, investigations or prosecutions under overly broad criminal provisions that have historically been used to stifle critical media reporting or civic and political dissent, including provisions in the Cyber Security Act 2023, the Official Secrecy Act, the Anti-Terrorism Act and the criminal defamation provisions of the Penal Code.

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