State Minister for Foreign Affairs meets newly appointed Bangladesh OHCHR Sabina Magdalena
MD Babul Bangladesh Correspondent
At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the newly appointed Head of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Bangladesh, Ms. Sabine Magdalena Lauber, presented her credentials to State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humayun Kabir.
Welcoming Ms. Lauber and congratulating her on assuming the charge, the State Minister reiterated Bangladesh’s strong commitment to working constructively with OHCHR. She highlighted the government’s priorities such as strengthening democracy, establishing good governance and the rule of law, and protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of expression and the press. She also stressed the importance of building strong institutions through legal and institutional reforms.
State Minister Kabir also highlighted Bangladesh’s continued engagement with UN Special Procedures mandate holders and exchanged views on the upcoming visits of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar and the Special Rapporteur on the right to education.
The State Minister called on the OHCHR missions to ensure that their programs and activities are aligned with the Government’s priorities. She assured Ms. Lauber of the Government’s full support and cooperation in carrying out her responsibilities in Bangladesh.
In response, Ms. Lauber commended the Government’s constructive engagement and reiterated OHCHR’s readiness to support Bangladesh’s efforts in promoting and protecting human rights and strengthening relevant institutions. She outlined the priorities and planned activities during her tenure and stressed the importance of continued dialogue and cooperation with the Government of Bangladesh.
Ms. Lauber takes office as the first Head of the OHCHR Mission in Bangladesh, which was established under a three-year Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Government of Bangladesh and OHCHR in July 2025.
