Bangladesh has summoned United Nations Resident Coordinator Mia Seppo over the UN statement on the killing of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) Abrar Fahad.
Director General of the foreign ministry’s UN Wing Nahida Sobhan met with Seppo at the ministry to Sunday (Oct 11) to clarify the government’s dissatisfaction and ire with the statement.
Condemning Abrar’s murder, the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator issued a statement on Oct 9, saying, “Freedom of speech is a human right, and nobody should be harassed, tortured or killed for exercising it.”
It also called for independent investigations that should lead to justice being served in a fair process, and measures to ensure prevention of further incidents.
According to sources, the Bangladesh government views the statement as uncalled for and Seppo has been told likewise and has also been asked to provide an explanation for it.
Sources said that the British High Commissioner to Bangladesh was also summoned to the foreign ministry on Thursday to clarify their statement.

A Facebook post on Oct 9 by the high commission read: “Shocked and saddened by events at Buet. The #UK stands unconditionally for free speech, media freedom, human rights and the rule of law.”