UN Chief Urges Inclusivity in Upcoming Bangladesh Elections

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed support for efforts to restore calm and organize parliamentary elections in Bangladesh, Anadolu Agency reported yesterday.

His deputy spokesman, Farhan Haq, emphasized Guterres’ call for the interim government to ensure inclusivity as the nation approaches the elections. This includes prioritizing the voices of women, youth, minority, and indigenous communities.

Guterres stands in solidarity with the Bangladeshi people, advocating for the full respect of their human rights and calling for a thorough, impartial investigation into recent violence.

The political landscape shifted dramatically when Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus took office last week, heading a 17-member transitional administration following weeks of protests that resulted in the fall of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government. The protests, sparked by contentious civil service job quotas, have claimed over 400 lives since July.