Inclusive politics key to avoiding unrest in Bangladesh, says UN resident coordinator
United Nations Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Gwyn Lewis today said the participation and inclusion of all political parties will help prevent a 'very polarised position' and potential 'unrest', though the circumstances should be viewed in the context of the country.
"But I think circumstances need to be looked at....the decision of the government needs to be looked at in the context of the country. It is very much a political decision and again a decision of the government," she told diplomatic correspondents at a programme titled 'DCAB Talk' when a journalist drew her attention regarding the recommendations made by the UN fact-finding mission against banning any political party.
The UN resident coordinator highly appreciated reform efforts undertaken by the interim government, noting that the process is very robust.
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in its fact-finding report shared recommendations in some specific areas including accountability and justice, police and security; civic space, political system and economic governance.
The UN human rights office recommended Bangladesh to refrain from political party bans undermining democracy and disenfranchising part of the electorate.
In the fact-finding report, the UN observed that political party bans would undermine a return to a 'genuine multiparty democracy' and effectively disenfranchise a large part of the Bangladeshi electorate.
Extending UN's support for a credible and peaceful election, UNRC Lewis said for the UN inclusive election means every segment of the society should be able to vote and everyone should have access and ability to participate in the election.
The UN Human Rights Office will soon establish an office in Bangladesh to support the country that's going through reforms in various sectors including political, bureaucratic, police and judicial sectors.
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