United Kingdom’s Human Rights Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative in the United Nations Eleanor Sanders. Photo: Collected

DHAKA, Feb 5, 2025 (BSS) – Visiting United Kingdom’s Human Rights Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative in the United Nations Eleanor Sanders today laid emphasis on ensuring justice, accountability, human rights and fundamental freedom, saying human rights is a universal issue. 

“The human rights of all must be protected regardless of race, religion, caste,” she said while delivering a special address at a seminar at Dhaka University (DU).

The UK will always work in this regard, the envoy added. 

The DU Applied Democracy Lab and the British High Commission in Dhaka jointly organized the seminar titled “Democracy and Human Rights” at the Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban, said a DU press release.

Speaking on the occasion as chief guest, DU Pro-Vice Chancellor (VC) Professor Dr. Sayema Haque Bidisha said the young generation has played an important role in various political and social movements in the country, including the anti-discrimination student movement and the July mass uprising. 

Calling on the young generation to contribute to building a state based on democracy, justice and equality, she said the Applied Democracy Lab has been established at Dhaka University to inspire students to practice democracy. 

The DU Pro-VC expressed hope that this lab will play an effective role in establishing democratic values in the society. 

Vanessa Beaumont, Second Secretary of the British High Commission, also spoke as the special guest at the seminar with Mohammad Ainul Islam, Director of the Applied Democracy Lab of Dhaka University and Associate Professor of the Department of Political Science in the chair.

Teachers, students and researchers from various departments of Dhaka University, as well as human rights activists from different organizations, attended the seminar.