A UN fact-finding report on the July atrocities is expected to be finalized by mid-February, according to Turkey

The UN fact-finding report on the atrocities during the July-August uprising is in its final stages and is set to be released by mid-February, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said on Wednesday. 

Türk made the remarks during a meeting with Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser, Professor Muhammad Yunus, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland. He noted that the report would be shared with the Bangladeshi authorities before its official release by the UN rights office in Geneva.

Professor Yunus expressed his gratitude to the UN rights office for investigating the crimes committed during the student-led uprising. He also mentioned that reports from six major independent reform commissions were expected to be published around the same time, adding that these reports could complement one another.

During the meeting, Yunus urged the UN human rights chief to provide support in addressing the worsening Rohingya crisis, following the recent influx of tens of thousands of refugees from Myanmar. Türk assured Yunus of his full support and mentioned ongoing discussions with key stakeholders, including UN Special Envoy on Myanmar Julie Bishop.

Professor Yunus proposed the creation of a UN-overseen safe zone within Myanmar’s Rakhine State to curb the fresh wave of Rohingya displacement. He highlighted the upcoming high-level conference on the Rohingya crisis as an opportunity to bring global attention to one of the world’s most severe humanitarian challenges. Türk agreed, emphasizing the importance of the conference in refocusing international attention on the issue.

The meeting was also attended by Lamiya Morshed, Bangladesh’s SDG Coordinator, and Tareq Ariful Islam, Bangladesh’s Permanent Ambassador to Geneva.