UN preliminary probe team arrives today

A UN fact-finding mission arrives here today for initial work on investigation into the killings and atrocities during the student-mass protests in Bangladesh that toppled the past government.

"A three-member team of the United Nations will arrive in Dhaka tomorrow (Thursday),' foreign secretary Masud Bin Momen told the FE Wednesday.

He said they would stay here till August 28, and the government is ready to provide "all kinds of support" to the UN team.

UN officials have said this is basically a technical team sent by the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Commission. It will collect preliminary information on the atrocities and killings that took place during the recent movement.

This team will also hold discussions with government to finalise their mandate, and how the investigation team will work with the government.

Gwyn Lewis, UN resident coordinator in Bangladesh, said this team would initiate dialogue with the government for fixing the frameworks and terms of reference for the UN investigations into the killings carried out by the previous government headed by Sheikh Hasina.

The decision to send the UN team was finalised after a telephone conversation between chief adviser Dr Yunus and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volger Turk last week.

The UN resident coordinator said that the volume of technical and logistical support would also be taken into account during the visit.

After the visit by this team decision on a senior team that will lead the investigations will be finalised.

"After the finalisation of the framework a body of experts would come to lead the investigation. It will be an independent investigation," the UN office said.

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