United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk expressed deep concern over the new violence and loss of life surrounding the anti-discrimination student movement in Bangladesh. He said, this violence must stop.

In a statement on Sunday (August 4), the UN human rights chief said that 13 policemen and more people died in Sirajganj. This violence must stop.
Expressing concern over the protestors' march to Dhaka on Monday and the ruling party's counter-programme, he said, "I fear that more lives may be lost and widespread destruction may result."
In this situation, Volker Turk called upon the Bangladeshi government and law enforcement forces to comply with the obligation to protect people's lives, peaceful protest and freedom of speech.