United Nations Human Rights Chief Volker Türk has urged calm in Bangladesh after violent protests broke out following the death of youth leader Sharif Osman Bin Hadi. In a statement released on Friday, Türk called on the authorities to carry out a quick, fair, and transparent investigation into the attack that led to Hadi’s death and to ensure those responsible are held accountable. He also appealed to all groups to avoid violence, warning that revenge and retaliation would only increase divisions in society. Protests erupted across the country after Hadi died in a Singapore hospital, six days after he was attacked. During the unrest, offices of two major newspapers were vandalized, leaving several journalists injured, and the residence of the Indian Assistant High Commissioner in Dhaka was also targeted. With national elections scheduled for February, Türk stressed the need to protect public safety and ensure people can express their views peacefully without fear.
