The fact-finding team of the UN Human Rights Office have invited individuals, groups, and organisations to provide first-hand information of human rights violations and abuses committed in Bangladesh between July 1 and August 15.

The fact-finding team is mandated to establish facts, identify responsibilities, analyze root causes, and make concrete recommendations for Bangladesh to address past human rights violations and prevent their recurrence, said a press release issued on Monday.

The first-hand information that is not already on social media or otherwise in the public domain concerning the period of 1 July to 15 August 2024 and human rights violations and abuses in the context of the protests during that period. Submissions should be sent to OHCHR-FFTB-Submissions@un.org.

The team also plans to conduct interviews with victims, law enforcement officers, medical practitioners, and witnesses. The fact-finding is not a criminal investigation and is conducted independently of any national criminal justice process, said a press release.

According to the release, the fact-finding process is strictly confidential. The team will not be conducting any media interviews during the investigation phase. We appeal for respect for the confidentiality of the fact-finding process.

After its on-site examination and data analysis, the UN Human Rights Office will publish a detailed human rights report containing key findings, conclusions, and recommendations, it added.

By Navalsang Parmar (Dhaka)