Bangladesh Army adheres to nat'l security directives, rule of law: ISPR

The Bangladesh Army works within the framework of national security directives and mentions its adherence to the rule of law and human rights principles, said the Directorate of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) today (Monday). 

Referring to the recent remarks of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk, during his interview with BBC HARDtalk, the ISPR said Turk's statement had been taken out of context by certain quarters, appears to misrepresent army's role and potentially undermining its professionalism, BSS reports. 

The ISPR said it was not directly contacted regarding the concerns he (Volker Turk) raised in an interview with BBC HARDtalk. Any concerns the UN rights body had were conveyed to the previous government, not the military leadership, it said. 

The ISPR highlighted the army's long-standing commitment to neutrality, mentioning the historical events such as the democratic transition of 1991. It said during the July-August 2024 protests, the army once again stood by the people, ensuring public safety without bias or external influence. 

As the second-largest contributor to UN peacekeeping missions, the Bangladesh Army is globally recognized for its professionalism and dedication. Notably, while peacekeepers receive a tiny portion of the earnings came from peacekeeping operations, the majority-around Taka 27,000 crore over 23 years-has significantly contributed to national economic growth, it said. 

The ISPR said the Bangladesh Army deeply values its partnership with the United Nations Commission on Human Rights and remains steadfast in its commitment to serving both the people of Bangladesh and the global community.

 "Any concerns regarding its role can be best addressed through open dialogue and constructive engagement", the ISPR added.