People's civil, political and cultural rights have been gradually squeezed online and offline in Bangladesh, said speakers at a dialogue.
The dialogue titled “UPR National Dialogue on Inclusive Civic Space for Democratic Society” was organized by ARTICLE 19 South Asia at the capital's Lakeshore Hotel, reads a press release issued on Friday.
Faruq Faisel, regional director for ARTICLE 19 South Asia, moderated the dialogue.
Rumky Farhana, senior program officer of ARTICLE 19 South Asia, presented the keynote paper, pointing out the objectives and scope of the dialogue as well as highlighting the activities under the “Our Voices Our Choices: Women and Youth for Democratic Civic Space (OVOC)” project.
Sayeed Ahmad, Asia coordinator, Front Line Defenders, conducted the dialogue session.
ARTICLE 19 hosted the event in partnership with Plan International as part of its series of initiatives under the OVOC project.
The project aims to ensure that young people, especially women and girls in Bangladesh enjoy fundamental human rights and are actively engaged in improving their lives and communities through inclusive, effective, pluralistic and responsible civic participation.
The project is funded by the European Commission.
A total of 53 participants, including diplomats, academia, researchers, lawyers, journalists, women and youth-led civil society organizations, representatives from the Hijra community and people with disabilities, attended the dialogue.
They participated in a brainstorming session on freedom of expression, right to assembly and association, and political participation and right to vote for recommendations for the fourth UPR cycle.
Faruq Faisel said: “ARTICLE 19 does not believe in gender biases. We try to work towards a diverse democratic community and safe civic space that will be available both physically and digitally. Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a good mechanism of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to address people's civil, political and cultural rights of its member states. However, the government and civil society actually work on the UPR when the UPR reporting cycle becomes due. Other times, they are indifferent to the matter. A functional and effective mechanism is required to follow up on the implementation of the recommendations of the UPR.”
Dr Ahmed Abid, assistant professor, General Education Department, University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB), said: “In Bangladesh, particularly in Dhaka, there is a scarcity of open spaces such as public gathering places, parks and playgrounds for public discourse.”
Shamim Ahmed, executive director, Youth Engagement for Sustainability (YES), Bangladesh, said: “Grassroots organizations are not able to flourish due to massive obstacles created by never-ending paperwork. When funds are sent from abroad, the level of formality discourages donors from contributing. The system is built in such a way that people have to resort to bribery and corruption to get their tasks done.”
Marjuka Binte Afzal, founding member of WeMen View said: “We must include more women and individuals from minority groups. If we provide incentives then responsible individuals can work to enhance their communities. All national initiatives must be able to reach the most remote and local level.”
ARTICLE 19 is an international human rights organization, working around the world. Founded in 1987, the organization works to ensure freedom of expression and free thought for all.
The rights body started its operations in South Asia in 2008.
