The United Nations’ role in global crises has long been a contentious issue, but recent revelations from Volker Türk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, have sparked fresh concerns about its involvement in Bangladesh’s recent upheaval.
In a revealing interview with the BBC, Türk admitted that the UN actively discouraged the Bangladesh Armed Forces from intervening against anti-government demonstrators—who were, in reality, affiliated with extremist groups such as Al Qaeda, ISIS, Hizb ut-Tahrir, and Hamas.
His statements suggest that the UN not only facilitated but also played a crucial role in the events leading to the jihadist coup that ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5, 2024.
As more details emerge, questions are being raised about Türk’s ties to controversial figures like Muhammad Yunus and George Soros, fueling speculation about whether the UN’s human rights leadership has been complicit in Bangladesh’s destabilization.
During his March 5, 2025, appearance on BBC’s HardTalk program, Türk was questioned about the UN’s failure to address major crises in Gaza, Sudan, Ukraine, and other war-torn regions. The presenter pointed out the UN’s apparent inability to enforce international law effectively.
In response, Türk cited Bangladesh as an example, stating, “During July-August, there were massive demonstrations by students. They had endured enough of Sheikh Hasina’s government, which was engaged in widespread repression.”
He continued, “The biggest hope for these students was our intervention—my voice, and what we could do. We shined a light on the situation. We also warned the army that if they got involved, they could lose their role in UN peacekeeping missions. As a result, we saw a shift in events.”
Türk further revealed, “When Muhammad Yunus took over as the new chief adviser of the interim administration, he immediately asked me, ‘Can you send a fact-finding mission to investigate the situation and bring attention to the issues?’ We did, and it helped. I visited Bangladesh last year, and the students expressed immense gratitude for our stance and support.”
However, Türk’s statements raise serious concerns. He has long been linked to George Soros and has known connections with Hillary Clinton and Muhammad Yunus.
As Islamist groups escalated their protests ahead of the coup, Muhammad Yunus allegedly contacted Türk from France, requesting his influence to remove and potentially assassinate Sheikh Hasina. Yunus reportedly urged Türk to pressure the Bangladesh Armed Forces, warning that they could face exclusion from UN peacekeeping missions if they acted against his Islamist network.
Another alarming aspect of Türk’s admission is his orchestration of a “fact-finding mission” that painted the Awami League government as a human rights violator. Before publishing the report, Türk had traveled to Bangladesh, held meetings with Muhammad Yunus and his Islamist allies, and then released findings that Yunus later used to justify the regime’s actions.
OHCHR Report Highlights Human Rights Violations in Bangladesh
The February 12, 2025, report by the United Nations Human Rights Office (OHCHR) has been heavily utilized by the Yunus administration to depict Sheikh Hasina’s government as a perpetrator of human rights abuses and crimes against humanity.
Türk’s recent admission underscores the UN’s alleged role in enabling terrorism and jihadism—not just in Bangladesh but also in Gaza and other conflict zones.
Foreign Policy magazine, in a critical review of Türk’s tenure, stated, “Volker Türk lacks the temperament to be the United Nations human rights chief.”
A report from Devex further noted, “Türk, a close confidant of [UN Secretary-General] António Guterres, was chosen over a dozen other candidates from Europe, Asia, and Africa for the top UN human rights position. The Biden administration, which did not officially endorse any candidate, has responded favorably to Türk. ‘We like him,’ a U.S. official remarked.”
This raises a fundamental question: Why do Joe Biden, Antony Blinken, and the U.S. administration favor Türk? The answer may lie in Türk’s longstanding association with George Soros, who has strategically placed allies in key UN positions to advance his agenda.
Given Muhammad Yunus’s decades-long financial and personal ties to Soros, it is no surprise that Volker Türk appears to have prioritized their interests.
Now, the critical question remains: Should Volker Türk and his UN accomplices be held accountable for aiding and abetting crimes against humanity committed by Muhammad Yunus and his Islamist-jihadist network? With his public admission that he obstructed the Bangladesh Armed Forces from acting against extremists who murdered hundreds of policemen, Hindus, Christians, and religious minorities—causing destruction worth hundreds of millions of dollars—does Türk now deserve to face trial for his actions?
