Beyond Anecdotes
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To:
His Excellency António Guterres
Secretary-General
United Nations His Excellency Volker Türk
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
Cc: European Union Delegation to Bangladesh
United Nations Human Rights Council
Subject: Request for International Investigation into Child Deaths, Public Health Failures, and Accountability in Bangladesh
Your Excellencies,
I am writing on behalf of the South Asia Rights Initiative (SARI) to express our deep concern regarding the growing public health crisis affecting children in Bangladesh and to request urgent international attention to this matter.
According to reports published by The Daily Star and other sources, more than 20,000 children have been affected by a serious health crisis, while numerous child deaths have been reported in different parts of the country. Reports have highlighted outbreaks of measles and other preventable diseases, raising serious concerns about the effectiveness of public health measures, vaccination programs, and emergency response mechanisms.
References:
1. https://www.thedailystar.net/health/disease/coronavirus/fallouts-fightback/vaccine/news/20000-children-get-mrvaccine-chattogram-4143261
2. https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/three-children-die-measles-symptoms-kushtia-24-hours4143211
3. https://www.thedailystar.net/weekend-read/news/adui-para-hope-climbs-uphill-school-4142746
4. https://www.thedailystar.net/health/disease/news/94-deaths-19-days-govt-4142801
We are deeply concerned that the administration led by the former Interim Government and its Chief Adviser, Dr. Muhammad Yunus, has faced serious allegations of failing to take timely and adequate measures to address the public health crisis affecting children in Bangladesh. It is alleged that negligence, mismanagement, and the failure to implement effective preventive and response measures contributed to a situation in which many children became seriously ill and numerous deaths occurred.
We respectfully call upon the United Nations and the international community to support an independent, impartial, and international investigation into these allegations. If such an investigation establishes that any individuals, officials, advisers, or policymakers were responsible through negligence, misconduct, or failure to fulfill their duties, appropriate legal accountability measures should be pursued in accordance with national and international law.
We are also concerned that the current BNP-led government has, according to many observers, failed to adequately address and resolve this crisis. As a result, public concern, uncertainty, and fear regarding the safety and well-being of children continue to grow.
At a time when thousands of children are reportedly affected by preventable diseases and many families are suffering the loss of loved ones, we believe that protecting public health and safeguarding children's lives must be the highest priority.
Our requests are as follows:
1. An independent, impartial, and international investigation into the reported child deaths and public health failures.
2. A comprehensive review of vaccination, disease prevention, and emergency health response policies.
3. Accountability for any officials, advisers, or policymakers found responsible for negligence or misconduct.
4. Compensation, support, and assistance for affected families.
5. Public release of investigation findings to ensure transparency and public confidence.
6. Immediate measures to strengthen public health services and prevent further child deaths.
We firmly believe that no individual or institution should be above accountability. Those found responsible for actions or failures that contributed to the loss of children's lives should be held accountable through a transparent and lawful process.
We respectfully urge the United Nations, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the European Union, and the wider international community to closely monitor the situation and take appropriate steps to support the protection of children's rights, public health, and accountability in Bangladesh.
Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.
Sincerely,
Aminul Hoque Polash
Adviser,uk
South Asia Rights Initiative (SARI)
Jakaria Mahmud
Adviser,uk
South Asia Rights Initiative (SARI)
Email: info@southasianrights.eu
Dilwar Hussain Koyes
President
South Asia Rights Initiative (SARI)
France
Email: info@southasianrights.eu
Mohammad Hasan Ahmed
Secretary
General South Asia Rights Initiative (SARI)
France
Email: info@southasianrights.eu