UN acting High Commissioner for Human Rights Nada Al-Nashif has said Bangladesh should ensure freedom of expression and peaceful assembly ahead of the national elections.
She observed that it would be viral for forces to refrain from using "excessive force" against protests in the "polarising environment" ahead of the next elections.
Nashif said this while delivering a statement on global update at the 51st session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva on Monday.
During the first ever visit by a High Commissioner to Bangladesh last month the former high commissioner discussed a full range of concerns with the authorities and offered OHCHR`s support to review restrictive laws governing on-line expression.
At that time, she encouraged the establishment of an "independent, specialised mechanism" to investigate allegations of human rights violations, including enforced disappearances, by law enforcement agencies, particularly by the Rapid Action Battalion.
"Human rights defenders, lawyers, journalists and victims` families should not face reprisals or sanctions for their advocacy work," said Nashif.
