ASK Observes 25th Anniversary
Vow to resist rights violations
Ain O Salish Kendra brings out a procession from Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban area in the city yesterday celebrating its 25th anniversary.Photo: STAR
Some eminent personalities and several hundred human rights activists yesterday vowed to work together to resist human rights violations especially extra-judicial killings and torture by law enforcers. They also urged all to launch a social movement to end social injustice and all forms of discrimination. They made the call at a discussion organised by Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK), a human rights organisation, marking its 25th founding anniversary in the city's Chhayanaut Bhaban. Delivering the welcome speech, ASK Executive Director Sultana Kamal said everyone should nurture the sprit of establishing a country free from social injustice and discrimination within themselves. “We should take courage from our War of Liberation and national anthem to fight against injustice,” she said. Addressing the function as the key speaker, internationally renowned human rights campaigner Sunila Abeysekera emphasised on collaborative efforts to draw the attention of South Asian political leaders to initiative more effective measures to uphold human rights. “We have a shared objective to establish social justice and peace. We should work together to meet the goal,” said Sunila, hailing from Sri Lanka. Rule of law, independence of the judiciary and press freedom, the major components of democracy, should be established to uphold human rights, she said. Noted academician Professor Emeritus Serajul Islam Chowdhury opined that village arbitration is one of the major causes of human rights violations, which is increasing day by day. Transparency International Bangladesh Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said incidents of torture on Limon and Kadar by law enforcers and mob killing of six students are clear examples of the vulnerable condition of human rights in Bangladesh. Presiding over the function, noted lawyer Barrister Amir-ul Islam said after 40 years of independence, the country is far behind in establishing good governance. A number of cultural personalities and non-government organisation activists also attended the function. Earlier, they brought out a procession marking the day.
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