FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
25 September 2026
NEW YORK / INTERNATIONAL — Global Justice Network is calling for an independent United Nations review of the circumstances surrounding the appointment of Zaima Rahman, daughter of Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, as a Legal Officer in the Office of the President of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
The organization is seeking examination of the appointment process, applicable recruitment requirements, potential conflicts of interest, the source of funding for the position, and whether safeguards against preferential treatment were properly applied.
Global Justice Network emphasizes that it has not concluded that corruption, nepotism or other misconduct occurred. Its position is that the documented relationships surrounding the appointment create questions that can best be resolved through disclosure and independent examination of the relevant records.
Appointment confirmed by the United Nations
The official website of the President of the 81st General Assembly currently lists:
“Ms. Zaima Rahman — Legal Officer — Bangladesh.”
The UN describes Rahman as a barrister and legal and policy professional with experience in the United Kingdom and Bangladesh. United Nations
Global Justice Network therefore does not allege that Rahman lacks legal education or qualifications. The issue requiring clarification is whether the qualifications established for this particular position were satisfied through the applicable selection procedure and whether political or family relationships played any improper role.
Bangladesh state news agency BSS has reported that an assistant press secretary to the Prime Minister stated that existing UN appointment rules and processes were “strictly followed” in Rahman’s case. Global Justice Network welcomes that assurance but believes disclosure of the applicable process would provide independent verification and resolve questions surrounding the appointment. BSS
Documented relationship between Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and the UNGA President
The circumstances warranting scrutiny extend beyond the family relationship.
Dr. Khalilur Rahman became Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister on 17 February 2026, when the government headed by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman took office. Reuters independently reported Khalilur Rahman’s inclusion as Foreign Minister in the new government. Reuters
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s government subsequently nominated Khalilur Rahman for President of the United Nations General Assembly.
This is not based on speculation or an anonymous political allegation.
Khalilur Rahman himself publicly acknowledged it at the United Nations.
Following his election on 2 June 2026, Khalilur Rahman stated in his official UN acceptance speech that he thanked Prime Minister Tarique Rahman for nominating him for the presidency and supporting the campaign “strongly and consistently.” static.un.org
Bangladesh’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations similarly states that the government formally nominated Khalilur Rahman on 27 February 2026, after which Bangladesh conducted an intensive international campaign for his election. nypm.mofa.gov.bd
Khalilur Rahman was ultimately elected by UN Member States on 2 June 2026 and assumed the presidency of the 81st General Assembly on 8 September 2026. His election by Member States is distinct from Bangladesh’s nomination of him. static.un.org
Zaima Rahman is now serving as a Legal Officer within his presidential office. United Nations
Global Justice Network: the sequence warrants independent examination
Global Justice Network believes the following documented sequence creates a legitimate transparency question:
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s government appointed Khalilur Rahman Foreign Minister → Tarique Rahman nominated and strongly supported Khalilur Rahman’s campaign for UNGA President → UN Member States elected Khalilur Rahman → Tarique Rahman’s daughter subsequently became a Legal Officer in Khalilur Rahman’s presidential office.
This sequence does not demonstrate a reciprocal arrangement.
Global Justice Network has identified no public evidence establishing that Prime Minister Tarique Rahman requested a position for his daughter, that Khalilur Rahman offered such a position in exchange for political support, or that recruitment requirements were circumvented.
Those are precisely the questions the organization believes should be answered through examination of records rather than political speculation.
UN ethics rules expressly address preferential treatment
The concern is particularly relevant because the UN General Assembly has adopted a formal Code of Ethics for the President of the General Assembly.
The Code requires the President to perform his duties impartially, equitably, honestly and in good faith.
It also requires the President to avoid conduct that might create the appearance of using the presidency for private gain or “giving unwarranted preferential treatment” to a State, organization or person. United Nations
The Code further requires the President to avoid conflicts between private interests and those of the Presidency or United Nations, calls for transparency regarding resources available to the office, and provides for recusal when the President considers that a conflict may arise. United Nations
Significantly, paragraph 10 provides that references to the President under the Code also encompass members of the President’s office while exercising their functions. United Nations
The Code nevertheless expressly allows members of the office to be seconded from their governments. Consequently, the mere absence of an ordinary public recruitment competition would not by itself establish a violation; the applicable appointment category first needs to be established. United Nations
Questions Global Justice Network wants answered
Global Justice Network is requesting that the appropriate UN authorities establish:
- What is Zaima Rahman’s precise appointment status — UN staff member, government secondee, consultant, trust-fund-funded employee, volunteer or another category?
- Who proposed, nominated or recommended her for the Legal Officer position?
- Who made or approved the final appointment?
- Was the position subject to competitive recruitment and, if not, what appointment procedure applied?
- What education, professional experience and other qualifications were established for the position before the candidate was selected?
- Who assessed Rahman’s qualifications against those requirements?
- Were other candidates considered?
- Did any person associated with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman or the Government of Bangladesh communicate with OPGA regarding her appointment?
- Was the relationship between Zaima Rahman and the Prime Minister disclosed during the appointment process?
- Was an ethics or conflict-of-interest assessment conducted?
- Was Khalilur Rahman personally involved in selecting or approving Rahman, and, if so, was independent review or recusal considered?
- Were any recruitment requirements or qualifications waived or modified?
- Who pays Rahman’s salary or other compensation, if any?
- Who finances any travel, accommodation, insurance, allowances or reimbursements associated with the position?
- Are any of these expenses borne by the UN regular budget, OPGA Trust Fund, Bangladesh government, another Member State or another source?
- Is there any documentary evidence connecting Tarique Rahman’s political support for Khalilur Rahman’s UNGA candidacy with his daughter’s subsequent appointment?
No allegation that Zaima Rahman is professionally unqualified
Global Justice Network considers it important to distinguish the ethics question from Rahman’s professional credentials.
The UN describes Rahman as a barrister with legal and policy experience across Bangladesh and the United Kingdom. Bangladeshi reporting states that she holds an LLB in law and politics from Queen Mary University of London and qualified as a barrister in England and Wales through the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple. United Nations
Accordingly, Global Justice Network is not alleging that she is unqualified to work as a lawyer.
The unanswered question is different: what were the predetermined requirements for this particular UNGA presidential-office position, what appointment mechanism applied, and was she selected through that mechanism without unwarranted preferential treatment?
Request for preservation and examination of records
Global Justice Network is asking that relevant records be preserved and, where jurisdiction permits, examined.
These should include appointment and secondment documents; the original terms of reference and qualification requirements; CV and credential assessments; candidate evaluations; conflict-of-interest disclosures; ethics consultations; financial and funding authorizations; and relevant official communications concerning the appointment.
Particular attention should be given to communications involving OPGA, Khalilur Rahman, the Government of Bangladesh, the Office of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and individuals involved in the selection process.
Preservation and examination of those records could either substantiate concerns or demonstrate that the appointment complied fully with applicable requirements.
“Transparency can resolve this”
Kazi Mamun, Director of Global Justice Network, said:
“The documented relationships surrounding this appointment raise questions that deserve an independent and factual answer. They do not, by themselves, prove corruption.”
“Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s role in nominating and supporting Dr. Khalilur Rahman’s candidacy is documented by the United Nations itself. His daughter’s subsequent appointment to Dr. Rahman’s office therefore makes transparency especially important.”
“The appropriate response is not to prejudge Ms. Rahman or Dr. Rahman. It is to disclose the applicable recruitment process, establish who made the decision, determine who finances the position, and establish whether the relationship was subjected to appropriate conflict-of-interest safeguards.”
“If everything was handled properly, an independent review and disclosure of the applicable process can establish that. If safeguards were bypassed, the United Nations should determine what occurred and respond accordingly.”
Global Justice Network seeking formal UN assessment
Global Justice Network is preparing/submitting the matter through the United Nations’ appropriate oversight mechanism and is requesting an independent preliminary assessment.
Because the President of the General Assembly is an elected official rather than an ordinary UN Secretariat employee, questions of investigative jurisdiction may arise.
Global Justice Network is therefore requesting that any portion outside the jurisdiction of the initial oversight body be referred to the competent UN authority rather than dismissed solely on jurisdictional grounds.
The organization is not requesting a predetermined outcome.
It is requesting that the United Nations determine the facts.
Public confidence requires answers
Khalilur Rahman opened his presidency on 8 September by telling the General Assembly that trust must be earned through decisions, commitments and results. He also pledged to discharge his responsibilities with “fairness, independence and integrity.” United Nations
Global Justice Network believes transparent examination of this appointment would be consistent with those principles.
The organization will update the public if the United Nations provides a substantive response or additional documentary evidence becomes available.
ENDS
Media Contact
Global Justice Network
Office of the Director
Kazi Mamun, Director
Primary documentary sources
The underlying official records can be independently reviewed through the UN OPGA team page listing Zaima Rahman as Legal Officer, official UN page containing Khalilur Rahman’s election and acceptance speech, and the UN General Assembly Code of Ethics.