Should Dhaka host a UNHR office?

The United Nations was created to stop wars and bring peace to the world. But for decades, mass killings have continued in Gaza, Palestine. The thin, starving bodies of children are painful to see, yet the Western world still supports this terrible destruction. We can all see what happened to Syria, Iraq, and Libya. The UN did not even try to stop it. In such a reality, what is the reason to open a UN Human Rights Office in Dhaka? This is our country, and decisions should be ours. If this office is set up, Bangladesh's power to make its own decisions will become weaker. They will interfere in many matters in the name of international human rights standards.

We already have our own National Human Rights Commission. Why not make it stronger instead of bringing in a UN office? Most countries that host such offices are war-torn or fragile states like Syria, Libya, and Tunisia. Bangladesh is not one of them. So, is there a plan to make us a proxy state? If people are not alert, we may suffer for years. This office will also send a negative message to the world - that Bangladesh is in deep crisis. Investors may lose confidence, and our South Asian rivals may be happy.

At present, the UN has human rights offices in 16 countries, most of which are badly affected by civil war and terrorism. South Korea has one field office, and Ukraine has a small mission, both reflecting fragile situations. We want human rights, but they must fit our reality and culture, not trap us in dependence. That is why we call for this plan to be reconsidered.

Fiad Nowshad Yeamin

Student

Department of Media, Communication and Journalism,

Canadian University of Bangladesh

nowshadyeamin415@gmail.com