DHAKA, Feb 27, 2025 (BSS) – A seminar titled ‘National Human Rights Commission: Expectations and Challenges’ was held today at the Judicial Administration Training Institute’s seminar hall in the capital.

Human rights activist and researcher Sultan Muhammad presented the keynote paper at the seminar, organized by Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division, with the cooperation of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

Chaired by Dr. Mohammad Mohiuddin, Additional Secretary to the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division, the seminar was also addressed by Director (Training) of the Judicial Administration Training Institute (JATI) SM Safayet Hossain, BNP acting chairperson’s adviser Dr Mahadi Amin, Barrister Sara Hossain and Barrister Abdul Halim.

JATI Director (Training) SM Safayet Hossain emphasized the need to eliminate bureaucratic dominance from the National Human Rights Commission's committee. “Experienced people should be there, but their dominance must be avoided,” he said.

Dr. Mahdi Amin said, “There had been no real concept of human rights in Bangladesh we witnessed in the past 16 years as any government that takes power without a mandate essentially undermines democracy and human rights.”

“Even with differences of opinion, if we can unite on human rights, it would indicate our unity on the issue of democracy. Human rights will be protected if the people can be empowered,” he said.

Eminent lawyer Barrister Sara Hossain focused on the importance of transparency and accountability to the people, urging the full disclosure of accurate information. “Without granting real power to the National Human Rights Commission, its credibility would be compromised as an internationally recognized institution,” she said.

Speaking virtually, Barrister Abdul Halim stressed the need to formulate regulations for the National Human Rights Commission. He recommended adhering to the High Court’s directives in formulating these regulations.

 Joint Secretary (Drafting) of the Legislative and Parliamentary Division Md. Sabbir Hossain, Senior Assistant Secretary (Development) Md. Mahbubur Rahman, NHRC Secretary Sebastian Rema, UN Human Rights Officer Mohammad Zahid Hasan and Jatiya Nagorik Committee Joint Convener Sarwar Tushar, among others, also attended the seminar.

Moreover, all the speakers emphasized the importance of public participation in the selection committee for the National Human Rights Commission.

They suggested defining the role of the Human Rights Commission in addressing the failures of the judicial system, including Dalit and other marginalized communities at all levels of the committee, decentralizing the commission, appointing salaried full-time temporary members, unveiling the commission's work plan, and setting a fixed tenure for its operations.

The speakers also said the realization of the people’s aspirations for democracy can only be achieved when human rights are protected.

Therefore, they called for immediate action in preparing the commission’s regulations and amending the necessary legal provisions related to human rights, ensuring that there is no delay to commence the struggle to establish people’s rights.