Awami League Leader Accuses UNHRC of Bias, Vows Return to Power in Bangladesh

Former Bangladesh foreign minister and senior Awami League leader Hasan Mahmud on Saturday accused the United Nations Human Rights Commission (UNHRC) of producing a biased and one-sided report on the violence that took place during the July–August 2024 student-led protests.

Speaking at a press conference in New Delhi, Mahmud said the report selectively blamed the Awami League government while ignoring widespread violence against party supporters and members of the security forces. He claimed that the document failed to acknowledge the deaths of hundreds of police personnel and attacks on law enforcement institutions during the unrest.

Mahmud questioned the credibility of the casualty figures cited in the report, alleging that several names listed as victims by the interim administration were later found to be alive. He said the report was prepared without proper consultation and was based on a predetermined assumption of guilt against the Awami League government.

The former minister also rejected allegations of systematic repression under the Awami League rule and accused the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus of manipulating international institutions to legitimise its hold on power.

Mahmud asserted that the Awami League would return to power in Bangladesh under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina. Responding to questions about a possible government-in-exile, he said the party’s objective was to return to Bangladesh and form an elected government with Sheikh Hasina at its helm.

He further alleged that since the change in government, minority communities particularly Hindus have faced increased violence, including killings, arson, and attacks on homes and religious institutions. According to Mahmud, the interim administration has failed to protect minorities and has allowed perpetrators to act with impunity.

Mahmud said the Awami League is compiling detailed documentation of killings, human rights violations, and attacks on its members and minority communities since the political upheaval. He added that the party plans to submit these findings to international organisations, including the United Nations, the European Union, and the Commonwealth, calling for impartial investigations.

Awami League leaders reiterated that while excesses may have occurred during the protests, the UNHRC report ignored the broader context of violence and suffering, presenting an incomplete and misleading picture of events in Bangladesh.

Source: UNI