International Human Rights Day on Saturday

The International Human Rights Day will be observed in the country like elsewhere in the world on Saturday in a befitting manner.

This year's theme of the day is 'Dignity, Freedom, and Justice for All.'

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages on the eve of the day, wishing all programmes of the day a success.

In his message, the President said under the leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, all internationally recognised human rights were guaranteed in the 1972 Constitution of Bangladesh with the aim of establishing equality, justice and human dignity.

The government constituted the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in 2009 as an independent and neutral institution aiming at protecting and developing human rights, the President said.

Abdul Hamid urged the NHRC to intensify its overall activities from the centre to the grassroots level so that the people become more aware of their rights and receive assistance from the commission regarding human rights.

In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said: “On the auspicious occasion of International Human Rights Day, I, on behalf of the government and people of Bangladesh, join the international community in reaffirming our unwavering commitment to the promotion and protection of the human rights and fundamental freedom of all people as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights."

This year, the day assumes added significance as it is devoted to commencing a year-long campaign for the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the premier added.

As a committed, responsible, and contributing member of the international community, Bangladesh has always been at the global forefront in demonstrating its robust engagement with human rights mechanisms and institutions and in living up to its national and international obligations to promote and protect human rights, she said.

She further said that Bangladesh's accession to or ratification of almost all the key international human rights instruments epitomizes the constitutional commitment and solemnity with which the country deals with the issue of human rights.

"Our Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, envisioned a country that would uphold the principles of secularism, equality, inclusivity, democracy, and justice," she said.

Guided by the Constitutional commitment and drawing inspiration from the vision of Father of the Nation, the present government has made relentless efforts during the last fourteen years to uphold the human rights and fundamental freedoms of every one of our citizens, especially the vulnerable ones, including women, children, religious and ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities and people living in extreme poverty, she continued.

On the occasion of Human Rights Day, the premier called upon the people of the world to renew their vow to the cause of human dignity and freedom.

As a State Party to almost all human rights instruments and a newly elected member of the Human Rights Council, Bangladesh renews its pledge to continue its unflinching support towards ensuring the inalienable rights of all individuals all over the world, she said.