Geneva, Dec 20 (V7N) — The United Nations has expressed deep concern over the killing of Inquilab Mancha convener Sharif Osman bin Hadi and has urged the Bangladesh government to conduct a swift, impartial, thorough, and transparent investigation into the incident.

In a statement issued from Geneva, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said he was deeply saddened by the killing of Sharif Osman bin Hadi, a prominent leader of last year’s student-led mass movement in Bangladesh. He noted that Hadi succumbed to his injuries in Singapore after being shot last week.

The High Commissioner emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and ensuring accountability for those responsible for the killing. He called on all parties to remain calm and refrain from violence, warning that acts of retaliation would only deepen divisions and undermine the rights of all.

Volker Türk urged Bangladesh’s interim government to determine the cause of Hadi’s death through a prompt, independent, comprehensive, and transparent investigation. He also stressed the need to ensure due legal process and accountability for the perpetrators.

In the statement, the UN human rights chief further called on the authorities to take necessary measures to ensure the safety of key public figures ahead of the national parliamentary elections scheduled for February.

According to official information, Sharif Osman bin Hadi was critically injured on December 12 after being shot by two assailants who arrived on a motorcycle in the Box Culvert Road area of Bijoynagar in the capital shortly after Friday prayers. He was shot in the head while riding in a rickshaw.

Hadi was initially treated at Dhaka Medical College Hospital and later transferred to Evercare Hospital as his condition deteriorated. He was subsequently flown to Singapore for advanced medical treatment with government assistance.

Despite medical efforts, Sharif Osman bin Hadi died at Singapore General Hospital at 9:45 pm Bangladesh time on Thursday, December 18, while undergoing treatment.

END/WD/SMA/