Foreword from the Chairman
Human Rights is eternal and universal which is not confined by any border of any country. To live
with dignity by birth is the main theme of UDHR 1948. A human being has equal rights regardless of
religion, caste, gender, age, ethnicity, disability and place of birth.
On one hand human rights are the right to life, speech and movement. On the other hand, right to
food, clothing, shelter, education, health are also human rights. The constitution which was gifted by
Bangabandhu within 10 months of our liberation reflects 30 articles of UDHR. Besides, the preamble of
our constitution mentions “it shall be a fundamental aim of the State to realise through the democratic
process a socialist society, free from exploitation – a society in which the rule of law, fundamental human
rights and freedom, equality and justice, political, economic and social, will be secured for all citizens.”
Rights and responsibility are complementary to each other. Right giver and right enjoyer both have
responsibilities to implement human rights.
After appointed by hon’ble President the fifth Commission took charge on 23 September 2019.
Immediately after taking charge the new commission tried to know the experience and challenges of
former commissions by conducting meeting with former chairman and members. Former Commission
applauded the initiative and shared their activities as well as their pending tasks. New commission
agreed to continue best practices of former commission and also to generate new ideas to develop the
standard of the functions of NHRC. Besides, new commission set their priorities through consultation
with CSOs, human rights defenders and media. Commission notices that awareness on human rights
from root to center is yet to be built. As a result, one of the most important activity of this present commission will be to raise mass awareness on human rights. I believe, the members of new commission will
be able to contribute towards promotion and protection of human rights through their past experience.
We know, there is no alternative to digital management to cope up with the world. In this context,
NHRC has taken decision to conduct day to day office task through online. To this end, we have already
introduced e-Filing. Besides, Online Complaint Management and an Integrated Office Management
System will be operationalized shortly. Present commission is very active for the best use of ICT.
In October 2019, Abrar Fahad, a student of BUET was beaten to death by his university mates.
NHRC believes that it is gross violation of human rights. The Commission took the matter seriously and
discussed the matter in its first commission meeting as the first agenda. Commission decided to condemn
the killing and send recommendations to the concerned ministries to ensure justice immediately and
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