Sweden鈥檚 ambassador for human rights, democracy and rule of law, Irina Schoulgin-Nyoni, is visiting Bangladesh between November 11 and November 14.
During her visit, Schoulgin-Nyoni will meet with representatives of the interim government, civil society organisations, development partners, students and media actors, said a press release of the Embassy of Sweden in Dhaka issued on Wednesday.
The visit will focus on key human rights issues, including the rights and empowerment of women and girls, freedom of expression and media freedom, and the role of civil society in promoting democratic values, according to the release.
It mentioned that Sweden had a long-standing commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights globally, reflected in its decision to appoint an ambassador dedicated to human rights.
The ambassador鈥檚 mandate includes advocating for human rights in bilateral and multilateral contexts, engaging with stakeholders around the world, and supporting Sweden鈥檚 foreign policy priorities in areas such as gender equality, democracy and rule of law.
In Bangladesh, Sweden works actively to support human rights through development cooperation, political dialogue, and partnerships with civil society.
鈥楾he visit also highlights Sweden鈥檚 strategic partnership with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR),鈥� said the release.
The collaboration began prior to the July uprising and was further strengthened through OHCHR鈥檚 fact-finding mission, which produced key recommendations to advance human rights in Bangladesh.
Sweden supports the implementation of several of these recommendations, including efforts to strengthen national institutions, promote accountability, and nurture civil society, the release mentioned.
A key milestone was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Bangladesh and the OHCHR in July 2025, establishing the country鈥檚 first dedicated OHCHR Mission 鈥� grounded in impartiality, independence, and respect for the rule of law.
With flexible funding from Sweden, the OHCHR has been able to maintain its presence and deliver concrete results.
This includes support to the Commission of Inquiry on enforced disappearances, which has documented nearly 200,000 cases.
Together, Sweden and the OHCHR continue to promote justice, gender equality, and inclusive civic space 鈥� including support to the National Human Rights Commission, legal reform efforts, and the empowerment of emerging civil society actors, particularly youth, said the release.
