Ensure access to legal and social support services
Dr Mizanur Rahman Shelly speaks at a meeting at Biam auditorium in the city yesterday. On his right is Nurul Islam Khan and on his left are Justice Mohammad Tafazzal Islam, Advocate Alena Khan, Habibunnahar and Shawkat Mahmud. Photo: STAR
Speakers at a meeting yesterday stressed the need to raise awareness about human rights and to ensure access for all to legal aid and social support services so that everyone can enjoy their human rights.
Bangladesh Society for the Enforcement of Human Rights (BSEHR) organised the meeting of stakeholders under its 'Establishment of Good Governance through Implementing Human Rights' project at Biam auditorium.
The speakers highlighted various obstacles to establishing human rights in the country.
According to the law, medical examination of the rape victim must be performed within 24 hours, but it is not always possible to do so, they said.
"The forensic department does not remain open round the clock. Moreover, it remains closed on Fridays and Saturdays, which is an obstacle to emergency medical test of the rape victim. As a result, it becomes difficult to collect evidence, diluting the legal proceedings," said Alena Khan, executive director of BSEHR.
She demanded steps to keep the forensic department open round the clock.
Captain Abul Hasan, assistant director of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab), Khulna, said the addresses of domestic helps should be documented properly to curb human trafficking.
He also called on the mass media to highlight this issue.
Other speakers said the human rights issue should be included in the school curriculum to raise awareness.
Justice Mohammad Tafazzal Islam, Dr Mizanur Rahman Shelly, Nurul Islam Khan, President of the National Press Club Shawkat Mahmud and Rina Roy of Manusher Jonno Foundation also spoke.
Manusher Jonno Foundation has been assisting the 'Establishment of Good Governance through Implementing Human Rights' project since 2004. The project period has been extended up to 2011 with a view to curbing domestic violence, acid violence, human trafficking and repression on women and children.
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