The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

Speakers at a seminar here yesterday underscored the need for formulation of Human Rights (HR) policies as per the UN declaration with a view to ensuring human rights for all.

They said human rights have repeatedly been violated across the world since the adoption of the Universal Declaration of the Human Rights by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948

The speakers were addressing the seminar on 'Human Rights in Bangladesh' on the occasion of the International Human Rights Day-2007 at a hotel here. National Commission for UNESCO organised the seminar in cooperation with UNESCO Dhaka office.

Former Chief Adviser of the Caretaker Government Justice Habibur Rahman was present as the chief guest while Vice Chancellor of Dhaka University Prof SMA Faiz and representative of UNESCO in Bangladesh Malama Milashia were present as special guests.

Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Education AKM Abdul Awal Majumdar chaired the seminar.

Executive Director of Khan Foundation Advocate Rokeya Khandaker presented a keynote paper on 'Education and Education initiative: A two pronged Approach to Ensuring Human Rights' in the seminar.

Justice Habibur Rahman, in his speech, said the country has achieved tremendous success in various fields including education and health but those will not be sustained if the human rights are not ensured for all.

Advocate Rokeya, in her keynote paper, said human rights would be ensured for all by keeping the large portion of womenfolk in the mainstream of the country's development process.

Prof of Rajshahi University ANM Saleh laid emphasis on implementation of laws related to human rights for establishing all kinds of human rights in the country.

AKM Abdul Awal Majumdar said unless the people are aware of their rights, all efforts to make the society free from corruption will be meaningless.

Yeasmin Ahmed said human rights could only be ensured by empowering the women through providing them with proper education.

Executive Director of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Dr Iftekharuzzaman, Secretary of Bangladesh National Commission for UNESCO Dr Md Mahmudul Hassan, Director General of National Academy for Educational Management (NAEM) Prof Hosne Ara Feroj and Former Director General of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Azad Rahman also spoke on the occasion.