The UN Secretary-General António Guterres has welcomed efforts to restore calm and hold fresh parliamentary elections in Bangladesh, urging the interim Government to be inclusive as the country moves towards restoring democratic rule.
In a statement issued by his Deputy Spokesperson, the UN chief also called for full respect of human rights across the country.
“The Secretary-General welcomes efforts to restore calm and organize parliamentary elections in Bangladesh, with the support of an interim government,” UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq said.
He also called on the interim administration being led by Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunis “to continue to make every effort” to be inclusive, taking into account the voices of women and youth as well as those of minority and indigenous communities, as the country moves towards new elections.
He was sworn in last Thursday as the chief adviser to the interim government, a position equivalent to the Prime Minister.
This was after Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country following weeks of anti-government protests.
The statement further noted that the Secretary-General stood in “full solidarity” with the people of Bangladesh and called for the full respect of their human rights.
“He continues to underscore the need for a full, independent, impartial, and transparent investigation into all acts of violence,” the statement added.
