Anisul talks about HR, drug issues with UN official

FE Team | Published: June 02, 2018 22:22:36

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq called on UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein in Geneva on Friday and discussed with him the ways and means to further ensure promotion and protection of human rights in Bangladesh and beyond, reports BSS.
The meeting was part of the Bangladesh government's ongoing cooperation and "respectful discourse" with the UN Human Rights mechanism, an official release said here today.
During the meeting, the High Commissioner stated that Bangladesh's ongoing generosity towards displaced Rohingyas is indeed exemplary to many other countries including those from the West.
He further appreciated Bangladesh's proactive and responsive engagement with the UN Human Rights mechanism.
The minister apprised the High Commissioner of the difficulties being faced by Bangladesh due to arrival of the forcibly displaced Rohingyas, with special emphasis on the recent significant rise in problems related to drug trafficking and use.
He informed that this has compelled the government to take the initiative to conduct the ongoing nationwide anti-drug operations, as the youths of the country are being hugely and adversely affected by the drug menace. Huq mentioned that while the government is in the process of addressing the issue through correctional measures and of enacting relevant laws and rules, the emergence of armed drug syndicates during the Rohingya influx has forced government to take stern actions.
"This has resulted in many arrests, and unfortunately, some deaths mainly due to the armed resistance by the drug dealers," he said.
Minister Huq assured the High Commissioner that the government would investigate any allegation of excessive use of force by the law enforcement agencies and would, if proved, bring the perpetrators to justice. He also assured that the ongoing operations are temporary measures to curb the drug problem, and the government looks forward to end these as soon as the situation comes under control.
The High Commissioner underscored that the drug problem is emerging as a global phenomenon and the governments need to address its demand and production aspects, especially through correctional measures and not just by using force.
Meanwhile, Law Minister Anisul Huq yesterday called on International Labour Organization (ILO) Director General Guy Ryder in Geneva. The minister narrated different steps taken by the present government for establishing rights of the laborers in Bangladesh and thanked the ILO DG for removing the country's name from the hearing list of the UN labour agency. Law minister is visiting Geneva as the leader of Bangladesh delegation to the ongoing 107th International Labour Conference.