The BNP yesterday told the office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights that the government keeps denying incidents of enforced disappearances.
The party also asked how the government claims ongoing investigations or inquiries into such incidents if those had never happened.
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The party also discussed the outcomes of the UN resolutions and human rights reports of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances, said the party officials, seeking anonymity.
A four-member BNP delegation, led by its Human Rights Affairs Secretary Asaduzzaman Asad, held the meeting with Rory Mungoven, chief of the UN Human Rights Commission's (OHCHR) Asia-Pacific section, at a city hotel yesterday (August 17, 2022).
The party also handed over a letter and a book on the human rights situation in Bangladesh compiled by the party to the delegation.
"There was a discussion with us about the human rights situation of Bangladesh. We have explained the human rights situation which the media reported on different occasions," Asad told journalists after holding the meeting.
Asked about the UN delegation's comments, he said, "He [Mungoven] listened to us. He was not supposed to give us any feedback. There was a media briefing of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and probably she would say something there."
BNP leaders Shama Obayed, Tabith Awal and Abrar Ilias, son of M Elias Ali, were present at the meeting.
After the meeting, a BNP leader said the party discussed the enforced disappearance and discussed in detail the ordeal of the disappearance of party leader M Elias Ali and the aftermath of the family.
How each of the related institutions of Bangladesh was approached and each of the institutions denied any relief to the families, the source said.
The BNP also expressed concern over the Digital Security Act and the draft Data Protection Act.
It said party chairperson Khaleda Zia is the symbol of persecution in Bangladesh as not every right of hers has been violated and denied.
"We discussed the process of her legal ordeal and denial of bail and restricted access to medical attention."
BNP's Dhaka North mayor candidate Tabith Awal said, "The number of extra-judicial killings, enforced disappearances and passing of black laws always peak during the election year. The BNP is committed to and working towards an equal and equitable nation for all. Irrespective of religion, ethnicity, gender, political belief or even age."
Meanwhile, AL General Secretary Obaidul Quader said the UN has no jurisdiction to investigate any internal issue in Bangladesh.
"The UN has no jurisdiction to investigate the complaints that the BNP made to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights over alleged mass murder," he said while addressing a protest organised by the Dhaka South AL.
