UN rights body concerned over curbing freedom of speech

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein expressed his deep concern on restricting freedom of expression and democratic space in different countries including Bangladesh.
While talking about Bangladesh, the UN rights body chief said the appalling attack on a freethinking blogger and his wife last week is the latest shock in an escalating atmosphere of political violence.
At least 80 people have been killed, including several children, in arson attacks and clashes between political parties and security forces, he said in his opening statement while representing High Commissioner's annual report in Geneva.
"Civil society and freedom of speech is also under attack, not only by extremists but also due to heavy-handed official responses.  I join the Secretary-General in appealing to all political leaders to de-escalate the violence, find paths of political dialogue and ensure respect for human rights," he said.
The high commissioner said he was deeply concerned at measures that restrict freedom of expression and democratic space in countries including Bangladesh, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Hungary, Myanmar, the Occupied Palestinian Territory, the Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Tanzania, Thailand, Turkey, Venezuela, and Viet Nam.
He urged States not to lose their grasp of the human rights principles underlying their societies in their struggle against violent extremism.
"There is real danger that in their reaction to extremist violence, opinion-leaders and decision-makers will lose their grasp of the deeper principles that underpin the system for global security which States built 70 years ago to ward off the horror of war," the UN human rights chief said.
jubairfe1980@gmail.com