UN urges interim govt to take urgent steps to freeze, seize stolen assets

The United Nations (UN) rights office has called upon the interim government to take urgent measures to freeze and seize assets amused through loan embezzlement and graft schemes in Bangladesh.

"Take urgent measures, using existing legislation, to freeze and seize assets linked to ill-gotten gains from loan embezzlement and other large-scale corruption schemes," the UN agency suggested in its recent report.

The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) released its Fact-Finding Report titled "Human Rights Violations and Abuses related to the Protests of July and August 2024 in Bangladesh" from its Geneva office on 12 February.

The OHCHR also suggested where ill-gotten gains have been transferred out of Bangladesh, recipient countries should closely work together with the Bangladeshi authorities to ensure that such assets are immediately frozen and then seized and repatriated in accordance with due process.

"Recipient jurisdictions should enhance their efforts to scrutinise assets transferred to their jurisdiction for the benefit of politically exposed persons," the report read.

The OHCHR asked the Bangladesh authorities to enforce anti-corruption legislation strictly and evenly and bring all those involved in corruption, particularly high-level officials, politicians, and influential business owners, to justice.

It also stressed the need for enhancing the independence and efficiency of the Anti-Corruption Commission, including by ensuring the independence of its members and providing it with adequate legal staff capacity.

The UN rights office recommended strengthening institutions responsible for managing public finances, ensuring that they are equipped to ensure fiscal transparency and accountability.

"Take urgent legislative and executive measures against cartels and oligopolies undermining fair competition in Bangladesh's economy and abusing their dominant market positions vis-...-vis consumers," the UN fact-finding report said.

The OHCHR urged the Bangladesh authorities to repeal legislative and economic measures unduly favouring specific large businesses and promoting small and mid-size enterprises.

It proposed implementing a more equitable tax system, including by focusing more on direct taxes, especially income and wealth taxes for high-income individuals and corporations, and abolishing tax breaks provided out of political favouritism.

The UN rights office called for enhancing the protection of workers through amendments to the Labour Act aiming to protect workers' freedom of association, intensify labour inspections, improve work conditions, particularly for women, ensure a fair minimum wage, and address acts of antiunion discrimination, unfair labour practices and violence against workers.

The OHCHR encouraged the Bangladesh government to extend standing invitations to United Nations Human Rights Council special procedures to support the authorities' efforts to address human rights concerns and institute relevant reforms.

Besides, the OHCHR recommended further independent and impartial probes into violations and abuses occurred during the July protests with a view to supporting accountability and preventing the recurrence of violations.