Irina Schoulgin-Nyoni, Sweden’s Ambassador for Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law, is undertaking a four-day visit to Bangladesh from November 11 to 14, focusing on key human rights priorities, including women’s empowerment, freedom of expression, and the role of civil society in democratic development.
According to the Embassy of Sweden in Dhaka, Schoulgin-Nyoni will meet with representatives of the interim government, civil society organizations, development partners, students, and media professionals to discuss ongoing challenges and opportunities in Bangladesh’s human rights landscape.
Sweden has a long-standing global commitment to promoting and protecting human rights, reflected in its decision to appoint a dedicated ambassador for this purpose. The envoy’s mandate includes advocating for human rights in bilateral and multilateral settings, advancing gender equality, and strengthening democratic governance and the rule of law.
In Bangladesh, Sweden’s engagement combines development cooperation, political dialogue, and civil society partnerships. The country supports a range of initiatives aimed at strengthening the rights and agency of women and girls — from combating gender-based violence to improving access to education and reproductive health services.
The visit also underscores Sweden’s strategic partnership with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). This collaboration, initiated before the July 2025 uprising, was reinforced following the OHCHR’s fact-finding mission, which issued key recommendations to advance human rights and accountability in Bangladesh.
A major outcome of that cooperation was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Government of Bangladesh and OHCHR in July 2025, establishing the country’s first dedicated OHCHR Mission — founded on impartiality, independence, and respect for the rule of law.
With flexible funding from Sweden, OHCHR has been able to maintain its presence and achieve tangible results, including support to the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances, which has documented nearly 2,000 cases.
Together, Sweden and OHCHR continue to advance justice, gender equality, and civic participation — backing reforms at the National Human Rights Commission, promoting legal accountability, and empowering youth and grassroots civil society actors.
Source: UNB
Bd-pratidin English/ Jisan
