Dhaka: State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Monday reiterated the government's commitment to protecting human rights, emphasizing the country's history of repeated violations over the past 17 years. Speaking to reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, she highlighted the Bangladesh Nationalist Party's (BNP) formation of a 'humane government' and its pledge to safeguard human rights.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Shama Obaed stated that the BNP has a legacy of working to protect and strengthen human rights. She reaffirmed the government's dedication to continuing these efforts in response to a letter sent by international human rights organizations to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. The letter, sent by groups including Amnesty International, ARTICLE 19, and Human Rights Watch, presents the current situation as an opportunity to open a new chapter in Bangladesh's history, urging the government to take actions that will have a profound impact on the rights of the people.
The State Minister also addressed concerns regarding the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), a force initially established to maintain law and order. She noted that during the Awami League's tenure, the RAB was misused against citizens, resulting in human rights violations. The letter from the rights groups highlighted ongoing challenges such as arbitrary detention and mob violence against journalists and minorities, calling for reforms to ensure accountability and uphold the rule of law.
The letter to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, published on Monday, underscores the urgency of addressing these issues and highlights the wide mandate given to him by Bangladeshis seeking change. Meenakshi Ganguly, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch, emphasized the need for meaningful reforms to empower independent institutions and protect freedoms.
The rights groups outlined priorities such as ending arbitrary detention, abolishing the RAB, and protecting minorities. They also urged the government to safeguard the rights of over a million Rohingya refugees and establish a robust National Human Rights Commission. Specific policy and legislative recommendations were included to guide these efforts.
During their election campaign, the BNP committed to enhancing economic rights through increased resources for health, education, environmental protection, and social security, furthering their pledge to uphold human rights in Bangladesh.