A symposium held recently emphasized that current human rights violations should not be minimized by comparing them to past authoritarian regimes. Concerns were raised about incidents such as custodial deaths, torture, mob violence, and the targeting of individuals in biased cases, indicating ongoing human rights issues.
The event, titled “State of Human Rights in Bangladesh: An Overview,” took place at the Bangladesh Institute of Law and International Affairs (BILIA) auditorium in Dhanmondi. Speakers highlighted the importance of a justice system that can ensure accountability without bias or fear.
Retired justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury, the former chairman of the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances, stressed the crucial role of judicial independence in a democratic constitution. He emphasized the need for public perception of this independence to maintain the judiciary’s credibility.
Moyeenul pointed out the judiciary’s failure in preventing serious violations during the previous administration, especially enforced disappearances. He described enforced disappearances as a profound tragedy that leaves families in darkness, causing social stigma and financial hardships.
Regarding the National Human Rights Commission Ordinance 2025, Moyeenul praised it as a significant improvement over the 2009 Act, aligning with international standards. He criticized the previous commission for failing to hold state agencies accountable due to shortcomings in the law’s enforcement capacity.
A keynote paper presented at the symposium described enforced disappearances over the past 15 years as a systematic tool to suppress dissent. The paper revealed disturbing details of disappearances involving multiple levels of government.
BILIA Director M Maroof Zaman emphasized the importance of seeking justice rather than revenge and restoring the rule of law. Rights activist Nur Khan Liton stressed the need to address wrongdoing regardless of when it occurred and warned against justifying present abuses by comparing them to past injustices.
Nur Khan expressed concerns about ongoing human rights violations, including custodial deaths, torture, mob harassment, and property grabbing. He highlighted the filing of murder cases against influential figures before investigations are completed, leading to unfair treatment.
Odhikar Director Taskin Fahmina mentioned a decrease in enforced disappearances under the interim government but noted ongoing allegations of custodial torture. Fahmina reported instances of attacks on media outlets, including an incident targeting journalists from The Daily Star and Prothom Alo.
Attendees at the event included commission members, BILIA representatives, and victims of enforced disappearance who shared their experiences. The symposium aimed to shed light on the persistent human rights challenges in Bangladesh and the importance of upholding justice and accountability.
