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Bangladesh Constitutional Crisis Sparks Alarm at Geneva UN Human Rights Session
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News18•03-10-2026, 14:00
Bangladesh Constitutional Crisis Sparks Alarm at Geneva UN Human Rights Session
- •Concerns over Bangladesh's political and constitutional situation were raised at a seminar in Geneva during the 63rd UN Human Rights Session.
- •Paulo Casaca of SADF described the situation as "dire," citing an unconstitutional government, restrictions on opposition, and alleged persecution of journalists and the education sector.
- •Casaca linked the political crisis to the government's economic incapacity and viewed former PM Sheikh Hasina's intention to return as a "ray of hope."
- •Bangladeshi human rights activist Rahman Khalilur Mamun highlighted the unlawful banning of a key political party and called for greater attention to democratic concerns.
- •Mamun noted former PM Sheikh Hasina's online speech at the event, where she expressed solidarity with the people of Bangladesh.
Key Questions Answered
Speakers at the Geneva seminar highlighted a dire political and constitutional crisis in Bangladesh, alleging an unconstitutional government, the outlawing of the main political party, persecution of journalists and academics, and severe restrictions on freedom of expression.
Paulo Casaca described Sheikh Hasina's stated intention to return to Bangladesh in December as a courageous decision and a ray of hope that could help unlock the country's constitutional process.
Rahman Khalilur Mamun criticized the banning of the political party associated with the 1971 independence as unlawful and undemocratic, and noted that Sheikh Hasina delivered an online speech during the event expressing solidarity with the people of Bangladesh.