Bangladesh’s UN-marked Vehicles Cause Controversy Amid Unrest

Bangladesh inadvertently used UN-marked vehicles during a curfew aimed at quelling deadly protests, leading to international scrutiny. Authorities claimed the oversight stemmed from rented UN mission vehicles. The unrest was linked to government job reservation quotas, which were recently modified by a Supreme Court ruling. The UN and other entities called for restraint and upholding protest rights.

Bangladesh has acknowledged an oversight in leaving U.N. markings on vehicles used during a curfew to control deadly violence that erupted across the nation last week, claiming nearly 150 lives.

The United Nations sought clarification from Dhaka after footage by Reuters on Sunday revealed an armoured personnel vehicle with 'UN' markings, carrying armed soldiers during street patrols in Dhaka amidst crackdowns on student-led protests against reservation quotas in government jobs.

Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud explained on Wednesday that the vehicles, rented for a UN peace mission, had their logos inadvertently left intact. The logos have since been removed.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's administration employed the army to enforce a curfew and suspended internet services from midnight Saturday. The protests erupted after a high court overturned a government decision to scrap 56% job quotas, amid an employment crisis.

However, the Supreme Court on Sunday backed the government's appeal, abolishing most quotas and opening 93% of jobs to competition, leading to cessation of the protests. The UN, international rights groups, the US, and the UK condemned the force used against protesters and urged Dhaka to respect peaceful assembly rights.

UN spokesperson Farhan Haq stated that vehicles and equipment with UN insignia should only be used for mandated peacekeeping tasks, adding that Bangladesh is the third-largest UN troop and police contributor, following Nepal and Rwanda.

(With inputs from agencies.)