UDHR's 70th anniversary celebrated in Barishal

The 70th anniversary of the adoption of Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the United Nations was observed in Barishal city yesterday.

A discussion and short film screening were organised on the occasion at Barishal Development Society auditorium.

Around 150 participants from different institutions, non-government organisations, journalists and socio-political activists attended the programme.

Presided over by Anwar Zahid, president of Barishal NGO Development Network, eminent rights activist Sultana Kamal, Associate Prof Aktaurzzamam of the economics department at Govt BM College and Steps Towards Development Executive Director Ranjan Karmakar spoke at the discussion among others.

Christoph Fuchs, chargé d'affaires (head of political, economic and cultural affairs) of Swiss Embassy in Dhaka; and Heike Alefsen, senior human rights adviser to the UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh; also took part in the discussion. 

Sultana Kamal during her speech said extra judicial killings contradict the constitution and hence the ones behind the killings need to be brought to justice.

She also urged the government to enact an anti-discrimination law in the parliament. 

Heike Alefsen said no development is sustainable unless human rights are protected.