Online Desk: The United Nations (UN) encourages peaceful, credible, and inclusive elections in Bangladesh, said UN Secretary General’s Deputy Spokesman Farhan Haq at a press briefing at the UN Headquarters in New York yesterday. The comment came in response to a query from a journalist.

Mentioning that although Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has set a unique example of humanity by sheltering more than a million displaced Rohingyas from Myanmar, the journalist said some people from so-called civil society, some human rights organisations, and even some members of the US Congress have demanded the expulsion of Bangladesh from the United Nations Human Rights Commission. He then asked if the UN Secretary General’s deputy spokesperson would comment on it.

The journalist also noted that “those so-called civil society and some elected persons” from America also suggested about upcoming parliamentary elections of Bangladesh to be held under the supervision of the United Nations. He also sought UN’s position regarding Bangladesh’s promise to hold fair elections and political parties, including BNP, holding meetings freely ahead of the elections.

“First of all, regarding the elections, the United Nations encourages peaceful, credible, and inclusive elections in Bangladesh,” Farhan Haq said.

Regarding the issue of the Rohingyas, he said, the UN does in fact appreciate the generosity shown by Bangladesh towards the Rohingya refugees. “And we hope that it continues. It’s not for me to comment on membership in the Human Rights Council, which is a decision taken by Member States.”