Türk interview: Army says it wasn’t directly contacted by UN

The Bangladesh Army has responded to recent remarks made by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, clarifying that it was not directly contacted regarding the concerns he raised in an interview with he BBC's HARDtalk.

In a statement issued yesterday, the army said any concerns the UN rights body had were conveyed to the previous government, not the military leadership.

"Please note that the Bangladesh Army did not receive any direct communication or intent from the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights regarding the matter stated by Mr Türk. If any such concerns were raised, they were conveyed to the erstwhile Government of Bangladesh and not directly to the Army leadership," the statement said.

Reiterating its adherence to national security directives, the rule of law, and human rights principles, the army said Türk's statement had been taken out of context by certain quarters, misrepresenting the army's role and potentially damaging its reputation.

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The statement further highlighted the army's long-standing commitment to neutrality, citing historical events such as the democratic transition of 1991. It also referenced its role during the July-August 2024 protests, where it ensured public safety without bias or external influence.

As the second-largest contributor to UN peacekeeping missions, the Bangladesh Army is globally recognised for its professionalism, the statement added.

It noted that peacekeepers receive a small portion of foreign earnings, approximately Tk 27,000 crore generated over 23 years, which has contributed to the national economy.

The army reaffirmed its strong ties with the UN human rights body and urged that concerns regarding its role be addressed through open dialogue and constructive engagement.