Move to set up National HR Commission hailed
Civil society members hailed the cabinet division's announcement to approve the long-pending draft law on a National Human Rights Commission.
In a statement yesterday, they also called for urgent steps to establish the commission with full powers and, most importantly, institutional independence to enforce the human rights of all persons, citizens and non-citizens, and to address violations of rights by any person, regardless of their identity or institutional affiliation.
They also demanded that the commission's jurisdiction extend to all universally recognised human rights.
At the same time, they expressed their concern that the proposed selection committee is too executive-dependent.
They called on the government to revise the committee to include persons with a track record and credibility in promoting and protecting human rights, including from within the Bar, media and academia.
"We further urge that the selection of commissioners reflect the diversity of our society, to enable it to focus on the concerns of all persons, irrespective of religion, gender, ethnicity or any other marker of identity. We urge, in particular, that the commission include at least one woman, and that the minimum and maximum age-limits on membership be removed."
"We call for public consultations to be held, and the responses incorporated into the Draft Ordinance before it is placed for the president's approval, so that the commission can be finally constituted by the New Year," they added.
The statement was issued by Sultana Kamal, executive director, Ain o Salish Kendra; Dr Hameeda Hossain of Research Initiatives Bangladesh; Prof Zafar Iqbal; Iftekharuzzaman, executive director, Transparency International Bangladesh; Shaheen Anam, executive director, Manusher Jonno Foundation; Taslimur Rahman of Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust; ZI Khan Panna, former chairman, Bar Council Legal Aid and Human Rights Committee; Dr Shahdeen Malik, advocate, Supreme Court; Ayesha Khanam, general secretary, Bangladesh Mahila Parishad; Khushi Kabir of Nijera Kori; Manzoor Hasan of the Institute of Governance Studies; Sanjeeb Drong of Adivasi Odhikar Andolon; Rezwana Hasan of Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers' Association; Sara Hossain, advocate, Supreme Court; and Dr Faustina Pereira, advocate, Supreme Court.
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