Ratify treaty to ensure justice

Rights activists yesterday urged the government to ratify the international human rights treaty, “Optional Protocol 3”, to ensure justice against violation of children's rights.

They were addressing a roundtable organised by National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Bangladesh Shishu Adhikar Forum (BSAF) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) at NHRC office in Dhaka.

The treaty -- Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on a communications procedure (OP3 CRC) -- allows children to complain to the United Nations, seeking remedy for their rights violation, if national legal system fails to do so.

Ratifying the treaty will help protect rights of children in an extensive manner, because it will ensure accountability of all regarding this issue, said speakers.

Speaking as chief guest at the programme, NHRC Chairman Kazi Reazul Hoque said Bangladesh is among the first 20 countries that ratified the UN convention on child rights, so the country is committed to protect the rights of children.

“The government needs to be informed about the barriers to ratifying the 'Optional Protocol 3' and how to overcome those. We will soon send a letter to the government regarding the issue,” he said.

BSAF Director Abdus Shahid Mahmood and Manusher Jonno Foundation Programme Coordinator Abdulla Al Mamun also spoke at the event.