The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has urged the government to take steps to stop and investigate extra-judicial killings.
Expressing concerns over extra-judicial killings and disappearances across the country, NHRC Chairman Kazi Reazul Hoque said: “From the newspapers, we know that people are disappearing and extra-judicial killings are taking place. Extra-judicial killings are not acceptable in the drive against narcotics. They must stop.”
The NHRC chairman made the comments at a seminar organized by the commission to commemorate World Human Rights Day 2018 on Monday. The seminar was organized at the Hotel Intercontinental, with support from the Human Rights Program (HRP) and United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
The NHRC chief further said: “Anti-narcotics drives have to continue, as drugs have a devastating effect on society. However, there can be no ‘crossfire’ during anti-narcotics drives. To ensure killing can be avoided during drives, we [the NHRC] have developed a guideline on how law enforcement officials should act during drives.”
“Each and every extra-judicial killing must be investigated, and those concerned must show what the role of police was and what the role of the magistrate was,” he added.
Addressing the seminar as the chief guest, Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain said: “Nationality, gender, sexual orientation, and race do not matter when it comes to human rights. Human rights are universal. Everyone should have equal access to human rights.”
“Human rights education should be introduced in the national curriculum, to ensure that everyone can learn about their rights from an early age,” he added.
Stressing that the freedom to vote is a fundamental human right, British High Commissioner Alison Blake and Swiss Ambassador Rene Holenstein called for law enforcement officials to work together with human rights defenders to ensure a fair and peaceful 11th general election.
Swedish Ambassador Charlotta Schlyter said a free and independent media was crucial to ensuring the election is transparent.
UNDP Country Director Sudipto Mukerjee, and Ain o Salish Kendra Executive Director Sheepa Hafiza also spoke on the occasion. NHRC member Prof Akhter Hussain delivered the welcome speech, while the NHRC chairman presided over the seminar.