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Guterres ‘serious concerns’ over Bangladesh’s use of UN-marked vehicles during riots: spokesman

Guterres ‘serious concerns’ over Bangladesh’s use of UN-marked vehicles during riots: spokesman

United Nations, July 23, 2024-

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed “grave concern” over reports that authorities used vehicles with UN markings during riots in Bangladesh, his spokesman said.

UN staff there had seen “concerning reports of vehicles with UN markings that may have been used during the developments we have seen in Bangladesh in recent days,” Guterres spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said on Monday.

UN forces and police-providing countries should use the UN insignia on their equipment “only when carrying out mandatory duties as part of a UN peacekeeping mission or a UN political mission,” he added.

“Our serious concerns about this have been conveyed by our colleagues to the relevant authorities in Bangladesh,” he said.

Bangladesh, which has 5,859 troops participating in UN peacekeeping operations, has access to vehicles and equipment with UN markings intended for use in other countries where its troops are deployed on missions for the world body.

Bangladesh is the third largest contributor of personnel to current UN peacekeeping operations.

Dujarric said Guterres was “deeply concerned” about reports that more than 100 people have been killed in violence in Bangladesh and more than 1,000 injured.

He said the Secretary-General had taken note of the reports about the Bangladesh Supreme Court ruling reducing the job quota and the decision of the student groups to suspend their agitation for 48 hours.

“He strongly hopes that both decisions will help create a favorable environment for dialogue. He urges all parties to avoid violence and negotiate in good faith,” Dujarric added.

Student groups protested against the 30 percent reservation in government jobs for family members of the Bengali freedom fighters who fought against the Pakistani troops and their supporters who carried out the genocide.

According to Bangladeshi authorities, three million Bengalis were killed during the 1971 War of Independence.

The Supreme Court on Sunday ordered that reservation for family members of freedom fighters be reduced to five percent.

Asked about reports of Bangladeshi protesters in the United Arab Emirates receiving long prison sentences, Dujarric said: “We have seen the disturbing reports of very harsh sentences being imposed.”

“As everywhere else, we believe it is very important that people have the right to express themselves freely and peacefully, without fear of arrest or worse,” he added.

According to reports, the Federal Court of Appeal in Abu Dhabi has sentenced three Bangladeshi protesters to life imprisonment, one to 11 years in prison and 53 to 10 years in prison. (Agency)