UN stresses rights as Dhaka reports repeated attempts to force people across the border

The United Nations has called on Bangladesh and India to engage in dialogue and uphold human rights to resolve the issue of people being "pushed" across their shared border. Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, emphasized the need for both nations to address the matter with full respect for human rights and dignity.

This appeal comes as Bangladesh's Home Minister, Salahuddin Ahmed, reported to parliament that Border Guard Bangladesh had thwarted 36 attempts by India's Border Security Force (BSF) to push individuals into Bangladesh since the West Bengal assembly elections. Ahmed stated that approximately 2,369 people had been pushed into Bangladesh since August 5, 2024. Of these, 2,175 were handed over to police, 11 were returned to the BSF, and 183 were pushed back.

“

I think it is incumbent on the two countries to work out this issue through dialogue and full respect for people's human rights and human dignity.

Human Rights Watch (HRW) has also voiced concerns, accusing Indian authorities of forcibly expelling ethnic Bengali residents, predominantly Muslims, from West Bengal into Bangladesh without due process. In a statement, HRW noted that actions by the BSF, coupled with the Border Guard Bangladesh's efforts to prevent entry, have resulted in dozens of families being stranded in the border's zero line.

HRW urged India to cease these unlawful expulsions, implement procedural safeguards, verify citizenship with Bangladeshi authorities, and put an end to what it described as "this dismaying animosity toward Muslims." The situation highlights significant humanitarian and diplomatic challenges along the India-Bangladesh border.

“

this dismaying animosity toward Muslims.