Yunus Seeks UN Support to Counter Disinformation Ahead of Bangladesh’s Feb 12 Election

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has sought assistance from the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) to counter misinformation and disinformation surrounding Bangladesh’s upcoming national election scheduled for February 12.

Professor Yunus raised the issue during a telephone conversation on Tuesday with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, according to official sources.

During the discussion, Yunus said a “flood of false information” was emerging around the election, spread through both foreign media outlets and various domestic sources. He expressed concern that misinformation, rumors, and speculation circulating widely on social media could negatively affect the electoral process.

“The government is concerned about the proliferation of fake news, rumors, and assumptions on social media, which may undermine the election process,” Yunus said.

In response, Türk said the issue was already on his radar and assured continued UN support. “There is a large volume of disinformation. We will do whatever is necessary to address this challenge,” he said, adding that the OHCHR would work closely with Bangladesh to combat the problem.

Beyond election-related disinformation, the two sides also discussed the upcoming national polls, the importance of institutional reforms, the work of the Commission on Enforced Disappearances, the formation of a new National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), and the broader global geopolitical situation.

Türk emphasized the need to establish a “genuinely independent” NHRC to advance investigations into enforced disappearances and related accountability efforts. In response, Yunus said an ordinance on the National Human Rights Commission has already been issued and that the commission will be reconstituted before the February 12 election.

“We will complete it before we leave,” Yunus said.

The chief adviser also informed Türk that he has submitted the final report of the Commission on Enforced Disappearances to the UN human rights chief. He said the report would play a crucial role in ensuring accountability and justice for victims of enforced disappearances that occurred between 2009 and 2024 during the period of authoritarian rule.

Türk praised the initiatives undertaken by the chief adviser over the past year and a half, noting that his office had supported the work of the disappearance commission and would continue to do so in the future.

SDG Coordinator and Senior Secretary Lamia Morshed was also present during the phone call.