MM Rahmatullah: During the past 15 years of Awami League rule, no one in the country had human rights. Arbitrary disappearances, secret killings and extrajudicial killings had become law in the country, alleged the leaders of the Bangladesh Civil Rights Society.
Speakers made such allegations at a discussion on International Human Rights Day at the Jahur Hossain Chowdhury Hall of the National Press Club on Tuesday, on the occasion of the United Nations-declared Human Rights Day.
They also said, “The previous Awami League government turned Bangladesh into a slaughterhouse and took away all the democratic rights of the people through unlimited bloodshed and reckless oppression and torture. People’s democratic rights are complementary to human rights. During the Awami League rule, not only the leaders and activists of the opposition party, but also journalists, human rights activists, students, teachers, workers, women and children had no security. Most of them have been victims of disappearances, secret killings and extrajudicial killings.
In the past 15 years, extreme authoritarian rule. This year’s theme of Human Rights Day is ‘Our Rights, Our Future Now’. Keeping this in mind, deep condolences were expressed to the oppressed people of different countries of the world who have lost their fundamental rights. At the same time, strong optimism was expressed that no one else in the world, including Bangladesh, should be deprived of fundamental human rights in the future. During the current interim government, we all have to work together to ensure the rights of people to freedom of speech and expression, democracy and voting. Let this be our firm resolution on the Human Rights Day declared by the United Nations.”
Khulna University’s Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Md. Rezaul Karim attended the event as the chief guest.
Bangladesh Civil Rights Society Chairman Zakir Hossain presided over the event while moderated by the Executive Director Sheikh Mohammad Tajul Islam.
BFUJ Acting President Obaidur Rahman Shaheen as well as writer & columnist Syed Tosharaf Ali were present as special guests. The panelists included writer and senior journalist Jamal Uddin Jamal, Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) Joint General Secretary Didarul Alam Didar, the organization’s Senior Vice Chairman Engineer AHM Moniruzzaman Dewan Manik, Justice for Human Rights Chairman Md. Mahbubul Alam, Entry Drugs Society President Zahirul Haque Rana, the organization’s treasurer Advocate Pradeep Kumar Pal, Human Rights Welfare Trust Joint Secretary General Menon Chowdhury, organization’s directors GM Kibria, Humayun Kabir, Riazur Rahman Riaz, Lokman Hossain were presents among others.