Rights activists concerned

Human rights activists at a national conference yesterday expressed their concern over the extra-judicial killings by Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) and violation of human rights.

The two-day conference on 'Protection of Human Rights: Role of Civil Society, NGOs and Media' organised by Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Australian High Commission in Bangladesh started at IDB Bhaban in the capital yesterday.

Speaking at the first session of the conference, Sultana Kamal, executive director of Ain-O-Salish Kendra (ASK), said "We are not against the formation of Rab but we are against any sort of extra-judicial killings."

"Law enforcing agencies should be equipped with modern facilities and they must be free from all sorts of political interference," she said.

Ayesha Khanom, general secretary of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, said, "Rab is not the long-term solution to improve the country's law and order situation."

"Every citizen should have the right of access to justice but many people in Bangladesh are denied justice because of the judicial process," she observed.

She also said the constitution has to be followed while forming the Human Rights Commission (HRC).

Speaking at the inaugural session of the conference, Jorgen Lissner, resident representative of UNDP said formation of an independent HRC and ensuring the independence of judiciary could best address the problem of human rights.

Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Lorraine Barker urged the government to take effective steps for protection of religious minorities' rights.

Speaking at the inaugural session as chief guest, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Barrister Moudud Ahmed said the revised draft for formation of an HRC has been finalised and it will be placed before the cabinet very soon.

He also said the government is making changes in the country's judicial process so that people can have easy access to justice.

State Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Barrister Muhammad Shahjahan Omar termed the Rab action against criminals 'a need of time'.

He also said human rights is a multi-dimensional issue which varies from country to country.