Bangladesh Urged to Uphold International Standards Amid Accountability Process

An international human rights activist has urged the Bangladeshi authorities to adhere to international standards as the country moves through an accountability process following the July uprising.

"One word of caution would be to constantly remember that there are international standards and international obligations against which any instruments, laws or policies should constantly be checked to ensure that those are complied with," said Alice Mogwe, President of the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH).

FIDH is a federation of 192 member organisations worldwide. In Bangladesh, its member organisation is Odhikar, which invited Mogwe to visit the country from October 4 to 11 to assess the human rights situation.

The visit comes at a critical time, as trials are underway for those accused of committing human rights violations—including mass killings and enforced disappearances—under the Awami League regime.

Mogwe praised Bangladesh for acceding to the UN Convention on the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, as well as for forming the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances and initiating trials against alleged perpetrators.

"The Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances is doing an amazing job, given the number of people who have come forward to tell their stories, share their experiences and pain. Generally speaking, in terms of trying to deal with accountability, it's really important for a country that has been through severe rights violations to ensure that memory is not lost of what has happened," she said.

Regarding her visit to the July Memorial Museum, Mogwe said she was deeply moved by the way memories were being preserved. However, she also stressed the importance of focusing on healing.

"You know, there will be deep trauma as a result of what has happened. But to be able to have accountability, you need to have memory, and you need to know and remember what happened," she added.

She expressed a strong sense that the interim government is doing its best within a limited timeframe to establish accountability, reject impunity, and uphold people’s fundamental freedoms and dignity.

When asked about the use of the death penalty, which FIDH opposes, Mogwe acknowledged that Bangladesh is a party to several international human rights instruments, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the Convention Against Torture (CAT), and its optional protocols, including those related to capital punishment.

"But one can understand that those issues need to be further discussed within the Bangladesh context while recognising that Bangladesh is part of the international family of nations," she said.

On how to ensure the continuation of the accountability process, Mogwe emphasised that political will is the most crucial factor. She said she saw such willingness in the government officials she met during her visit.

Asked about the ban on the Awami League’s activities, she responded, "It was a very internal reflection process, of which I don't know much. So, I think there needs to be a sensitivity to context."

She further noted that the uprising was rooted in a movement against discrimination, and that this spirit must continue.

"One thing we need to remember is that discrimination erodes dignity. It erodes the ability of people to live with dignity," she said.