The United Nations (UN) has rejected outright the allegations of human rights violations against Bangladesh.
When Bangladesh is, among all the countries, the largest troop contributing country to peacekeeping missions, the UN on June 26 said that it does not involve forces linked to human rights violation.
UNB adds; Responding to a question regarding calls from Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, Deputy Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, Farhan Haq, in a regular media briefing in New York on June 26, said, “UN's standard position is that they "do due diligence" on peacekeeping forces from whichever nation to make sure that they are not associated with any human rights violation.”
The Deputy Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General said, "Mr. Jean-Pierre Lacroix, UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, thanked Bangladesh, Canada and Uruguay for a "successful and enriching" meeting in Dhaka on June 25-26.”
“Mr Lacroix met with the key people (in Bangladesh) he needed to meet, who deal with peacekeeping concerns,", said Farhan Haq.
He also said they had constructive discussions in Dhaka on how they could work together to provide the right conditions for more women to join and thrive in UN peacekeeping operations.
Farhan Haq said, “During his (Jean-Pierre Lacroix) meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the sidelines of the preparatory conference on Women in Peacekeeping, Lacroix thanked Bangladesh for its commitment to peacekeeping, particularly women’s critical role in missions.
He (Jean-Pierre Lacroix) also had the opportunity to discuss UN peacekeeping priorities with Bangladesh's Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam.
"Grateful for Bangladesh's support as the largest troop contributor to peacekeeping," Farhan Haq said.
He mentioned that Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen said Bangladesh looks forward to exploring effective strategies to ensure that all peacekeepers, irrespective of gender, can thrive in a safe and supportive environment.
While in Dhaka, UN Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix and UN Under-Secretary-General for Management Strategy, Policy and Compliance Catherine Pollard commended Bangladesh’s proactive role and efforts to increase the number of women peacekeepers.
During the inaugural session of the two-day long UN Peacekeeping Ministerial ‘23 on June 25 at a hotel in capital Dhaka, the UN peacekeeping operation chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix lauded Bangladesh for its leading role played in the UN Peacekeeping Mission (UNPKM).
He expressed special thanks to Bangladesh among all other participating countries for its role in advancing the cause of women in peacekeeping missions.
"We thank you all, especially Bangladesh, which has repeatedly demonstrated a strong commitment in advancing the cause of women in peacekeeping," said the UNPKM Operation chief.
Bangladesh, one of the largest contributors to UN peacekeeping missions, is co-hosted the meeting, with the theme of ‘Women in Peacekeeping’, with Canada and Uruguay.
Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, Inspector General of Bangladesh Police Chowdhury Abdullah Al Mamun, Maj Gen ASM Ridwanur Rahman, Commander of the Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security, Catherine Pollard, Under Secretary General for Management Strategy, Police and Compliance, Ulric Shanon, Director General of the Peace and Stabilisations Operations Programme, Global Affairs, Canada, among others, also spoke at the function.
