Human rights under attack in Bangladesh

British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Alison Blake yesterday said like other countries of the world, human rights in Bangladesh is under attack.

“Intimidation of and violent attacks on the marginalised and minority people are still taking place,” she said.

She, however, praised the government for its generous support to the Rohingyas who were persecuted and driven out of Myanmar.

Blake was addressing a programme marking UN's Human Rights Day, organised by National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) at a hotel in the capital.

Expressing concerns over restriction on media, she said citizens of every nation have the right to enjoy free debate, discuss and criticism, and to hold the government to account round the clock.

Free and independent media are essential for helping defend democratic values, she added.

Swedish Ambassador Charlotta Schlyter said, “Free and independent media is essential for a democratic society. Freedom of the press needs to be enabled and protected by the state.”

“I would like to reiterate our hope that the election will free and fair, transparent, inclusive and participatory,” said Charlotta.

Swiss Ambassador René Holenstein said one cannot separate human rights from development. It is in this spirit that Switzerland continues to cooperate closely with the government of Bangladesh and civil society in the areas of democracy, development and human rights.

Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain said human rights education should be introduced in the national curriculum, providing an opportunity to impart human rights knowledge, skills, values and attitude to all young people in Bangladesh.

“Assisting young people to incorporate human rights values into their daily lives is a concrete way to prevent discrimination, promote inclusion and respect for diversity,” he said.

Expressing concern over the government's anti-drug movement in which many people were killed, NHRC Chairman Kazi Reazul Hoque said they requested the home ministry to ensure human rights of people accused or suspected of drug dealing.

Among others, Sudipto Mukerjee, Country Director, UNDP Bangladesh; Sheepa Hafiza, Executive Director, Ain o Salish Kendra; and Mahbub Uz Zaman, Secretary-Bilateral (Asia and Pacific), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also spoke at the event.