Bangladesh Crisis: UK calls for UN probe into violence amid reports of Sheikh Hasina seeking asylum

Former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina (L), David Lammy (R)

As the crisis in Bangladesh deepens following Sheikh Hasina's move to flee the country after resigning as Prime Minister, Britain's Foreign Secretary David Lammy has called for a full and independent UN-led probe into the violence.

Bangladesh has been reeling under unprecedented violence that has claimed hundreds of lives over the past two weeks.

In an official statement, Lammy urged all parties to work together to end the violence, restore calm, de-escalate the situation, and prevent any further loss of life.

He called for a full and independent UN-led investigation into the events of the past few weeks in the country. Lammy also asserted that the UK seeks actions that ensure a peaceful and democratic future for Bangladesh.

Notably, Lammy did not mention Sheikh Hasina in his remarks, who, according to multiple reports, is seeking asylum in the United Kingdom.

With the Army Chief announcing a transitional period, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for a "peaceful, orderly, and democratic transition" as well as a "full, independent, impartial, and transparent investigation into all acts of violence," his spokesman Farhan Haq said.

The European Union also called for "calm and restraint."

"It is vital that an orderly and peaceful transition towards a democratically elected government is ensured, in full respect of human rights and democratic principles," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said.

Meanwhile, Canada's Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said her country "condemns the human rights violations, deaths, torture, arbitrary arrests, and lethal force" used in response to the protests.

"During this transition, we urge all parties to respect and uphold democratic institutions and processes and the rule of law," Joly said in a statement.

There was no immediate reaction from regional governments to the fall of Hasina, who had sought a delicate balance between enjoying support from India while maintaining strong relations with China.