NHRC faces tremendous challenge
Says US envoy
Considering the huge population of Bangladesh, US Ambassador Dan W Mozena has said the job of National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is a tremendous challenge.
The NHRC has one member, five honorary members and 28 staff and Bangladesh is a country of 153 million people, he said, adding, "So, that is a tremendous challenge."
The ambassador, however, urged the commission to create mass awareness about human rights citing the commission's survey that around 51 percent people of the country have not even heard the term human rights.
Mozena made the observation while visiting the office of NHRC in the capital's Moghbazar yesterday.
Talking to reporters after around an hour-long meeting with the commission, the ambassador said he came to the commission to understand its mission, challenges and commitment to go forward to help protect human rights of the people.
He also said the US government would continue training Rapid Action Battalion members.
“To help Rab we created a mechanism to hold its members accountable, we embedded an expert inside Rab for four months to help them set up an internal inquiry cell. That cell is now functioning,” Mozena said.
Mentioning how people are frustrated that the judicial process is slow in delivering justice, Mozena said they are actively working with Bangladesh police, prosecutors and judges to improve the judicial process.
NHRC Chairman Prof Mizanur Rahman said they sought cooperation from the US government in their initiative to create countrywide awareness about human rights.
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