Top United Nations officials have called for a peaceful and democratic transition in Bangladesh after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned.

Ms Hasina had on Monday resigned and fled the country in the face of massive anti-government protests, which claimed many lives in recent weeks.

Secretary-general António Guterres “continues to closely follow developments in the country,” UN Deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq said in a statement on Monday. “He urges calm and restraint by all sides and emphasises the importance of a peaceful, orderly and democratic transition.”

The UN chief also expressed “full solidarity with the people of Bangladesh” and called for the full respect of their human rights.

“He continues to underscore the need for a full, independent, impartial and transparent investigation into all acts of violence,” Mr Haq said.

More than 300 people, including many children, are said to have been killed since student-led protests erupted in July, and more than 20,000 injured.

The bloodshed was among the worst ever witnessed in Bangladesh.

The unrest began in July with protests by students against civil service job quotas.

Though the scheme was withdrawn, protests erupted again last week, with the key demand for Ms Hasina to quit and for those responsible for the violent suppression of demonstrations to be held accountable.

Ms Hasina had been in power since January 2009, leading the country from 1996 to 2001.

Media reports suggest her departure from Bangladesh was met with widespread jubilation across much of the country. There were also reports of ransacking and arson at the prime ministerial residence, a museum commemorating the country’s first president and Hasina’s father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and homes of senior government officials.

Bangladesh’s army chief announced in a televised national address following her departure that an interim government would be formed, although no further details were provided.

Also on Monday, Volker Türk, UN high commissioner for human rights, underscored the importance of the transition of power in Bangladesh being “peaceful and guided by human rights.”

“The transition must be conducted in a transparent and accountable way, and be inclusive and open to the meaningful participation of all Bangladeshis,” he said in a statement.

Mr Türk highlighted that democratic order and the rule of law must be ensured as quickly as possible, and that all emergency measures must be limited in accordance with international law.

“Everyone arbitrarily detained must be released. All those responsible for human rights violations must be held to account,” stated Mr Türk. “This is a time for national healing, including through an immediate end to violence, as well as accountability that ensures the rights of victims to truth and reparations, and a truly inclusive process that brings the country together on the way forward.” 

(NAN)