Summary

The Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, Olivier De Schutter, visited Bangladesh from 17 to 29 May 2023. The purpose of the visit was to examine the progress made in the fight against poverty as Bangladesh prepares for graduation from least developed country status. Bangladesh faces multifaceted challenges from rising multidimensional poverty and inequality, and climate change-related internal displacements within the country. The Special Rapporteur expresses his concerns about the severe crackdown on human rights defenders and civil society and continuing attacks on freedom of speech and expression, a regressive taxation system, inadequate social protection (and a lack of protection for informal workers), and poverty wages in the ready-made garment sector. He was shocked by the impacts of a second round of food ration cuts by June 2023 for Rohingya refugees living in camps, who depend entirely upon humanitarian support and do not have a right to work in Bangladesh. The international community has a moral and legal duty to provide the required humanitarian funds.