Dhaka, June 17 -- UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk has expressed concern over the ban on political parties and all related activities in Bangladesh and stressed that the decision "unduly restricts the freedoms of association, expression and assembly."

He urged the Bangladesh's interim government for dialogue with the political parties and urged for free and inclusive elections.

"I am encouraged that the Interim Government and political parties in Bangladesh are making progress through dialogue", said Volker Turk in his speech during the 59th session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

"I urge meaningful advances on reforms, to create the environment for free and inclusive elections", he added.

Turk said, "However, ...