UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Turki said in a letter to Hasina that Zia’s release would be seen as “an important step towards political dialogue and reconciliation”.
“I appeal to your government to consider his release so he can receive the urgent and specialized medical care he needs outside the country,” he wrote in the letter, dated November 1 and seen by AFP.
Jiah has liver cirrhosis, diabetes and serious heart problems. Three American physicians performed minor surgery on him last month, but the government rejected the family’s request to allow him to travel to Germany for a liver transplant.
As the country prepares for general elections in January, the opposition has been holding regular protests and Zia’s death is expected to trigger mass demonstrations.
Hasina, in power for nearly 15 years, faces growing pressure from Western powers to hold free and fair elections, which could set the stage for the return of Zia’s revived BNP.
Turki also called on the government to “cease any arbitrary detention, including detentions, that could be construed as politically motivated or that could impact the environment for fair and credible elections”.
