Democracy, secularism and people's rights have been enshrined in the constitution since Bangladesh was born in 1971. It became a member of the United Nations very soon, in 1974. December 10 is Human Rights Day celebrated here with due dignity. However, human rights have not been fully protected in this country. According to the Bangladesh Human Rights Coordinating Council, more than 10,000 people have been victims of human rights violations in the first nine months of 1996. Torture and death in police and prisons, road and naval accidents, dowry system, murder-robbery, rape, suicide, terrorism are now very common occurrences in Bangladesh. All these are the reasons for human rights violations. Terrorism and extortion have endangered the lives of our common people. Political party quarrels, killings and disappearances have been added in a new way. In this situation, human rights have been violated in this country. If a hunger-free, poverty-free, chaos-free society cannot be built, human rights will remain here only in words, not in deeds.
★Role of Governments and Organizations in Establishing Human Rights:
It is hoped that the Government of Bangladesh has taken some steps to protect human rights. Education, health and medicine are among them. Articles 26-47 of the constitution recognize the guarantee of basic human rights. Besides, various NGOs are working to protect the rights of the people. They have been operating privately in the country since the 80's.
★Struggle for the establishment of human rights in Bangladesh:
The clutches of corruption have spread in every field of politics, economy, social and state of this country. In the midst of militarism, voting in voterless polling stations, violence of black money, political instability, etc., various non-governmental organizations and governmental efforts are being made to establish human rights. In spite of hundreds of adversities, organizations like Sujan, Law and Arbitration Center are working to establish human rights. The Government of Bangladesh has formed the National Human Rights Commission on September 1, 2008 to officially protect human rights.
Human rights can be established in the country and in the world only with the cooperation, tolerance and brotherhood of each other holding democratic and human values. The protection of human rights is essential for the proper establishment of their rights by wiping away the tears of the oppressed people all over the world. Then peace, harmony will be established in the whole world, the country will move forward, the world and human civilization will move forward.
