'Independent HR commission an urgent need'

The discussion took place yesterday at Odhikar's Gulshan office on the occasion of United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. It was organised by Odhikar and Global Network for the Prevention of Torture (GNPT).

The developed countries that had once played an important role in protecting human rights have suddenly cooled off since September 11, 2001, observed a speaker.

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Justice Syed J R Modassir Hossain, judge of Appellate Division of the Supreme Court attended as chief guest while International Press Freedom Award holder Tipu Sultan moderated the discussion.

However, Attorney General A F Hasan Arif could not attend the discussion due to unavoidable reasons.

The need for a human rights commission in Bangladesh cannot be overemphasised, said Justice Modassir.

Shahin Anam, team leader of Manusher Jonno, said although Bangladesh has ratified many UN conventions including the Convention on Elimination of All Kinds of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and Child Rights Convention (CRC), the actual benefits are yet to be seen.

We also need all the human rights organisations in the country to have a stronger role, she added.