On December 10, 2024, the United Nations Coordinator’s Office in Bangladesh and the Human Rights Support Society (HRSS) jointly organized a discussion program at the Liberation War Museum. After the registration, participants enjoyed breakfast and received program materials before proceeding to the discussion meeting held at the Liberation War Museum Auditorium.
The event featured a series of insightful discussions on constitutional reform and human rights in Bangladesh. Ms. Huma Khan, Senior Human Rights Adviser at the UN Resident Coordinator Office (UNRCO), delivered the opening remarks. Mr. Nur Khan Liton, Member of the Inquiry of Enforced Disappearance Commission, addressed the audience as a special guest. Dr. Shahidul Islam, Associate Professor at Jagannath University, spoke on “Human Rights in Bangladesh’s Constitutional Reform Process: Bridging Theory and Practice.” An interactive dialogue followed, led by Ijajul Islam, Executive Director of HRSS, exploring potential constitutional improvements. Barrister Sahjada Al Amin Kabir, Chairperson of HRSS, presented the organization’s constitutional reform proposal. Saiyed Abdullah, a prominent social activist, addressed the gathering, followed by the Chief Guest, Professor Muhammad Ekramul Haque, a member of the Constitutional Reform Commission. The event concluded with closing remarks by Zahid Hossain, Human Rights Officer at UNRCO.
In the speech of the chief guest, Professor Muhammad Ekramul Haque said, we can speak freely today; it has become easier for us to express ourselves. The architects behind this ease are the students and the general public of this country. We express our gratitude to them. Particularly, the youth have led the movements of ’52, ’71, ’90, and ’24. We must think about how to incorporate the opinions of the youth into the constitution. We want the enthusiasm of today’s youth to be reflected in the constitution.
The rights we have as human beings are our human rights. It is inappropriate to think that these rights will be granted to us by the United Nations or the state. Instead, we should believe that these rights are inherently ours—they are not a matter of charity. No state or entity can take them away under any circumstances.” He also emphasized the importance of including new dimensions of human rights, such as uninterrupted internet access, environmental protection, and cybersecurity, in the revised constitution while ensuring the safeguarding of fundamental rights.” he added
Human rights activist Nur Khan Liton said, “One year ago, we often did not even get permission to observe Human Rights Day. But today, that has changed. This has been possible due to the sacrifices of thousands of students and ordinary people. It started on July 5. Earlier, society used to differentiate based on clothing, but in this movement, everyone—whether in burqas, sarees, panjabis, or lungis—participated, and there was no distinction at that time. Somehow, all our demands and needs united. Over the past decade and a half, due to government repression, the number of people leaving the country had increased. This happened because there was no democracy or human rights left in the country. During this time, thousands of people were killed extrajudicially. It is natural for injustice to exist in society, but there must be justice. During this period, there was no justice. Instead, there was sycophancy, selfishness, and a politics of oppression.”
He added, “There will be differing opinions and politics in society, but we want a society where there is no repression, persecution, or torture. During the previous government, there were numerous instances of people being pushed onto railway tracks, injected with substances, dismembered, packed into cement sacks, and murdered in crossfires by intelligence agencies, RAB, or other forces, with their bodies thrown into rivers. We must not be vengeful. Justice must be ensured. Political infighting must stop. All political parties must work together for the welfare of society and the nation.
Professor Dr. Shahidul Islam, in his main discussion on ‘Human Rights in Bangladesh’s Constitutional Reform Process: Bridging Theory and Practice,’ offered some recommendations for constitutional reform. He said that city governance should be revived in the constitution. The process of appointing the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and other election commissioners should be improved to enhance the level of independence of the Election Commission. To this end, the structure of the search committee introduced in the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners Appointment Act of 2022 should be reformed, and the president’s recommendation for the appointment of the CEC and other commissioners should be made mandatory. In this regard, to minimize executive dominance at the lowest level, a five-member search committee should be formed, including the Prime Minister, the leader of the opposition in Parliament, the Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad, and a woman member with a clean background and expertise in electoral management.
He also mentioned that appropriate legal measures must be taken to decriminalize politics. The prevalence of criminalization in politics in both Bangladesh and India’s electoral landscapes has grown significantly. Article 48(3) of the Constitution should be amended to create a balance of power between the President and the Prime Minister. To achieve this, a direct presidential election system should be established on the day of the national election with the necessary constitutional amendments. Legal measures should be taken to ensure the right to education, health, and livelihood, and to protect environmental rights.
Social activist Saiyed Abdullah said, “It would be a mistake to think that by making fundamental changes in the constitution, the people of Bangladesh will see paradise instead of hell. In this case, what is needed is a change in our mindset. We think about protecting human rights and implementing policies through the government, but we should be thinking that our rights already exist. We are the owners of this country. We will claim our rights. Those who violate rights are criminals, and they must be punished. Each of us must know about human rights. If you dislike someone and their human rights are violated, you must take a stand against it. Just because they are your enemy, you cannot enjoy the injustice done to them. That is the real way to protect human rights. Right now, the person I dislike the most is Sheikh Hasina. If she is brought to Bangladesh and disappeared, I will speak out against that disappearance.”
He further said, “During the previous government’s time, human rights violations occurred repeatedly, even though accusations were not proven. Media trials are also responsible in this regard. The media brainwashes us, and often turns innocent people into guilty ones, which is clearly a violation of human rights. In the case of Nusrat Jahan Munia’s murder, we saw that her picture was published while the accused’s picture was obscured, which is also an example of human rights violation.”
Chairman of the Human Rights Support Society (HRSS), presented and explained the HRSS’s proposals to the government’s constitutional reform commission.
Additionally, a free discussion on constitutional reforms was held with students from various universities across the country. This session was conducted by Ijazul Islam, the Executive Director of the Human Rights Support Society.
It is noteworthy that, in order to protect and promote human rights globally, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 10, 1948. Through this declaration, it was recognized that human rights are universal and equal for everyone, regardless of place of birth, nationality, religion, race, beliefs, economic status, or educational qualifications. Every individual is born with these rights. The declaration clearly specifies the rights of each person and the responsibilities of the state. The day this declaration was adopted is observed annually as International Human Rights Day worldwide.