Bangladesh Armed Forces are the symbol of our national unity and the protectors of our sovereignty. They are institutions of pride and honour for the nation. Therefore, as responsible citizens, we must keep them above all controversy. Any attempt to malign or discredit our armed forces could threaten our sovereignty and integrity.
Recently, we are witnessing heinous attempts to drag our armed forces into controversy. A section of people are spreading misinformation and disinformation about the armed forces, particularly the army, on social media platforms. Such discussions are unwarranted and undermine the dignity of our military. Baseless accusations and relentless debates against senior military officials, including the Chief of Army Staff, are not only inappropriate but also detrimental to national unity and security.
Bangladesh’s armed forces have earned global recognition as a professional and skilled institution. Just October last, our military commanders successfully led an operation to defeat an armed rebellion in Central Africa, restoring peace in the region.
Following this, Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman,visited Central Africa and inaugurated a healthcare centre, further solidifying the army’s role in peacekeeping. The contributions of Bangladesh’s armed forces are widely acknowledged across Africa, not only in Central Africa but also in Sierra Leone, Sudan and other nations. As a trusted force, Bangladesh remains the largest contributor to UN peacekeeping missions. This is a significant achievement, not just for our army, navy or air force, but for the entire nation. We must always take pride in this accomplishment.
Bangladesh Armed Forces have consistently stood by the people in times of disaster, crisis and national emergencies. Formed through the great Liberation War, they have always worked in the interest of peace and the people. History speaks for it. In 1990, during the fall of an autocratic regime, the armed forces played a decisive and constructive role. They did not blindly follow Hussain Muhammad Ershad’s orders to suppress the people. Similarly, in the lead-up to the 2007 elections, the military acted responsibly.
Most recently, during the mass uprising of 5 August, the armed forces’ neutrality and professionalism contributed to the people’s ultimate victory. They did not take any step against innocent civilians or to silent them with weapons. Instead, they pursued a peaceful resolution to the crisis. However, following the July revolution, a series of “blame games” have surfaced, aimed at discrediting the armed forces. A concerted effort is being made to spread fabricated information on social media platforms.
Recently in an interview with BBC, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, made some unfounded and unsubstantiated comments about Bangladesh’s armed forces. His remarks were beyond his mandate and are unacceptable. Had he clarified his statements (specifying whom he had warned and what specific concerns he raised), this controversy would have been needless. Those familiar with the UN’s operational framework know that the Human Rights Commission does not or cannot directly issue warnings to the military. If any concerns were raised, they probably conveyed it to the then-government or the Ministry of Defence, not the armed forces. By failing to make this distinction clear, Türk’s statements have contributed to public misinformation and misconceptions about the military.
Only Volker Türk can explain why and under what context he made such statements. However, international analysts believe that his comments about the Bangladesh Armed Forces in the BBC’s HARDtalk programme on March 7 do not fall within his purview. The Bangladesh Armed Forces operate within a chain of command, just as the UN Human Rights Office functions under specific guidelines and procedures. Its role is to advocate for human rights protection, raise awareness and express opinions on human rights violations worldwide.
We have seen numerous instances of human rights violations across the world, and in many cases, the UN and its human rights bodies have failed to act effectively. Particularly after the genocide in Gaza, the UN Human Rights Office has faced global criticism for its perceived bias and leniency. Given this reality, why did Volker Türk choose to make unsolicited remarks about Bangladesh? This question remains open to debate. There are already concerns regarding the UN human rights report on Bangladesh’s July revolution. Various quarters have questioned its acceptability and credibility. A major debate is still going on over whether the report was prepared with inputs from all concerned parties. This is not the first time a UN report has sparked criticism. Earlier, many reports from the UN Human Rights Office were criticised as fragmented, biased and contentious. Instead of addressing these concerns, Volker Türk’s decision to bring up the military issue raises serious questions.
In response, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) department issued a responsible and unequivocal statement refuting Türk’s claims. The statement clarified that the Bangladesh Army had not received any such warning or indication from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. It further emphasised that the army upholds the rule of law and respects human rights principles. ISPR pointed out that certain groups are misrepresenting Türk’s remarks to cast doubt on the professionalism of the armed forces. The statement reaffirmed that the Bangladesh Army remains committed to its long-standing tradition of neutrality and integrity, always standing by the people.
It is essential to remember that our armed forces belong to the people. Established through the Liberation War, they are a disciplined force committed to upholding the hopes and aspirations of the nation. The three branches of the military collectively ensure our national security and sovereignty. Therefore, we must refrain from making irresponsible and misleading comments that could create confusion about this esteemed institution.
Following the uprising, when the police force became largely inactive, it was the armed forces that protected the lives and property of Bangladesh’s citizens. The prevailing law and order situation has been maintained due to the steadfast role of the military. While some argue that the armed forces should not be burdened with prolonged responsibilities, they continue to fulfil their duties in the best interest of the people. This is not the first time they have stepped up; be it during natural disasters, crises or national emergencies, the dedicated members of our armed forces have always been the first to extend a helping hand to those in need. This is why the people of Bangladesh have unwavering trust in them. Given this reality, our foremost responsibility is to ensure that this institution—trusted by the state and its people—remains above all controversy. Any attempt to undermine the armed forces will ultimately put our own existence at risk. Our independence and sovereignty depend on their strength and integrity.
* The writer is a playwright and columnist. She can be reached at [email protected]
