UN backs free political activity in Bangladesh as unrest flares

United Nations deputy spokesman Farhan Haq told reporters in New York on Tuesday that all political parties and political figures in Bangladesh should be free to take part in political activity. "Certainly, regarding political activity, we believe that all political parties and all political personalities should be free to participate," he said at a regular briefing. Haq was answering a journalist who raised the claim that supporters of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina are again trying to destabilise the country.

Haq paired that position with a push for accountability, saying the UN insists on justice for crimes committed in Bangladesh, including those documented by its own fact-finding mission.

The remarks landed as unrest continued on the ground. According to the report, 22 vehicles were torched across Bangladesh in a 30-hour window, and crude bombs went off at no fewer than 28 locations spanning Dhaka and six other districts.

Hasina's legal team is also pressing for travel documents. In a letter seen by The Associated Press and emailed to the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi, her counsel asked the top diplomat to act so she can be issued a passport and national identity card. The letter from London-based law firm Matrix Chambers called for the application to be handled "expeditiously," citing her Bangladeshi nationality and obligations under international human rights instruments.

Dhaka's answer so far is no. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir said Monday that Bangladesh does not issue passports to "convicted and fled terrorists." In New Delhi, Indian Ministry of External Affairs official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal kept his distance from the request, telling reporters Tuesday that travel requires a travel document but calling it "a technical matter" he would return to later.