The UN secretary general is alarmed by emerging reports about the excessive use of force by security personnel and credible evidence of human rights violations.
Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for Secretary General António Guterres, said this during a media briefing on Monday.
The UN chief is concerned about arrests of thousands of youth and political opponents in connection with the current student movement.
He remains deeply worried about the situation in Bangladesh as he notes reports of the resumption of student protests, reiterating his call for calm.
The secretary general has underscored the importance of due process and the right to freedom of expression and the right to peaceful assembly.
He reiterates his call for investigating all acts of violence promptly, transparently and impartially, and for holding those responsible to account, according to the spokesperson.
"We continue to raise our concerns about the situation with relevant authorities both in Dhaka and here in New York, and we count on Bangladesh to respect and uphold human rights, including as a top troop-contributing country to United Nations peacekeeping missions."
"We have taken note of the statements by the Bangladeshi authorities that UN-marked vehicles are no longer being deployed within Bangladesh."
"We remind and reiterate that UN troop- and police-contributing countries are to use UN insignia and equipment marked with the insignia only when they are performing mandated tasks as UN peacekeepers…"
In another development, the European Union has conveyed Bangladesh its grave concern at the announcement of a 'shoot-on-sight' policy and unlawful killings perpetrated by the authorities during student protests.
European Union High Representative Josep Borrell on Tuesday said he conveyed his concern on the sidelines of the ASEAN Regional Forum Ministerial Meeting in Laos on 27 July to the representative of Bangladesh and former foreign minister AK Abdul Momen.
"I'm also deeply concerned by killings, violence, torture, mass arrests and damage to property that have taken place. These acts must be thoroughly investigated and those responsible brought to justice."
There must be full accountability for numerous instances of the use of excessive and lethal force by law-enforcement authorities against protesters and others, including journalists and young children. Thousands arrested must receive due process.
"We will follow closely the actions of the authorities in the context of this crisis and, with the fundamentals of the EU-Bangladesh relations in mind, expect all human rights to be fully respected."
Meanwhile, the US has called for a lasting and peaceful resolution to the current situation in Bangladesh and reiterated its unwavering support for the freedom of peaceful assembly.
While speaking to reporters at a regular briefing on Tuesday, Principal Deputy Spokesperson for the US Department of State Vedant Patel said, "So as it relates to Bangladesh, both in public and private, we continue to call for a lasting and peaceful resolution to the current situation, and we reiterate our unwavering support for the freedom of peaceful assembly."
Admitting some restoration of telecommunications across Bangladesh, he also called for full and undisrupted public access to internet and social media services, which will enable people in Bangladesh - including our very own American citizens - to access critical information.
In response to another question, Mr. Patel said the US supports all efforts for those who want to peacefully protest.
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