Chief Adviser Seeks UN Support to Counter Election Misinformation

Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus has sought assistance from the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to counter the spread of misinformation and disinformation ahead of the upcoming national election.

He made the request during a telephone conversation with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on January 13 (Tuesday).

During the discussion, Dr. Yunus said the election period is witnessing a flood of false information. He noted that misleading narratives are being spread not only by foreign media but also through various local sources.

He expressed concern that false news, rumours, and speculative content are circulating widely on social media, which could negatively affect the electoral process.

In response, Volker Türk said the issue is already on his radar. He assured that the UN human rights office would stand by Bangladesh in addressing the growing challenge of misinformation. “There is a huge volume of false information. We will do whatever is necessary to tackle this problem,” he said, adding that the OHCHR would work closely with Bangladesh in this regard.

During the call, the two sides also discussed the upcoming referendum, the importance of institutional reforms, the activities of the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances, the formation of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), and the broader global geopolitical situation.

Volker Türk underscored the need to establish a “genuinely independent” National Human Rights Commission to advance investigations and work related to enforced disappearances.

In reply, Dr. Yunus said the National Human Rights Commission Ordinance has already been promulgated and that the new commission would be reconstituted before the February 12 election. “We will do it before we leave,” he said.

The Chief Adviser also informed the UN High Commissioner that he has handed over the final report of the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances. He said the report would play a crucial role in ensuring accountability and justice for victims of enforced disappearances committed during the period of authoritarian rule from 2009 to 2024.

At the same time, Volker Türk praised the initiatives taken by the Chief Adviser over the past one and a half years. He said his office has supported the work of the disappearance commission and that this assistance would continue in the future.

SDG Coordinator at the Chief Adviser’s Office, Lamia Morshed, was present during the telephone conversation.

DBTech/BSS/EK/OR