Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury on Sunday stressed the need for addressing the human rights issues considering the global context and taking joint steps to realize rights for everyone.
“It is important to see the human rights in global context today, because we live in a globalized world…we cannot be isolated,” she said while addressing the inaugural session of a consultation meeting on the National Human Rights Commission’s 2nd Draft Strategic Plan (2016-2020), at the Cirdap Auditorium.
The speaker said human rights issues that are transboundary in nature need to be addressed within that framework. As examples, she said human trafficking and illegal migration are common problems for many countries, so joint initiatives should be taken to resolve the problems.
At the national level, there are incidents that take place from time-to-time like violence against women and children, she said, adding that those are crystal-clear areas where the NHRC can play a major role.
Speaking as the chief guest, Dr Shirin Sharmin said the NHRC is visible and active in protecting and promoting human rights while it is acting in free and fair manner without any interference.
She said the country’s Constitution provides guidelines to the NHRC to strengthen its role in promoting human rights. “Right to life, right to equal protection, right to freedom of expression…everything comprehensively illustrated in our constitution.” The Speaker said the NHRC’s recommendations should be not only identifying the problems and causes but also providing a way forward on how to resolve the problems since their suggestions will be extremely useful for the government as well as the concerned authorities. UN resident coordinator Robert D Watkins voiced concern over the violence against women, children and minors, and extra judicial killings and the killing of the five so-called “atheist bloggers”.
“This is a tremendous concern for the entire population of the country,” he added. State Minister for Foreign Affairs M Shahriar Alam, State Minister for Women and Children Affairs Meher Afroz Chumki, Nepal’s NHRC member Justice Prakash Chandra Sharma Osti, India’s NHRC member Justice Shri Darmar Murugesan also spoke on the occasion held with NHRC chairman Prof Mizanur Rahman in the chair.
