Dhaka, 10 December (UNB)--On the occasion of International Human Rights Day, the Dhaka University branch of Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, the BNP's student front, organised an open discussion titled "Future thoughts on human rights in Bangladesh and the role of student society".
 
The event was held at the historic Bottola near the Faculty of Arts building of Dhaka University on Tuesday.
 
In the discussion, the speakers highlighted various human rights violations during the Awami League's rule, including abductions and killings, and expressed their commitment to fight for human rights in the future.
 
To the anti-discrimination student movement, Rakibul Islam Rakib, President of Chhatra Dal, said, "It is sad that on 'World Human Rights Day,' we did not see any program from them. This is a sign of narrow-mindedness. If any program is organized for Human Rights Day, Chhatra Dal's heroism must be mentioned. Chhatra Dal has been active on every campus, on the streets for the last 15 years. When you hear about abductions, you will hear the voices of families of Chhatra Dal who lost loved ones in these abductions. The student society will be compelled to acknowledge that the stage for this July-August has been prepared on the blood of Chhatra Dal."
 
He added, "At the Dhaka University campus, at the Aparajeyo Bangla, in front of the Raju sculpture, Chhatra Dal has faced hundreds of attacks from the Chhatra League. Chhatra Dal at Dhaka University and its various leaders and activists have been severely tortured, many have become disabled, and many could not complete their education. We demand that the perpetrators of these attacks be brought to justice."
 
"For the last 15 years, Chhatra Dal had limited access to campus. During this time, we have not been able to stand by ordinary students through our activities. We have just begun our activities, and we appeal to the university administration to ensure that Chhatra Dal can reach its goals and objectives to the general students."
 
Professor Mohammad Murshed Hasan Khan from the Department of Marketing at Dhaka University spoke about the oppression of the Zia family and himself during Sheikh Hasina's rule. He said, "False cases were filed against leader Khaleda Zia and she was imprisoned for years. During the one-eleven regime, Khaleda Zia's son, Arafat Rahman Khuku, passed away due to the torture inflicted on him. The barbarity conducted under the direction of Sheikh Hasina during the one-eleven government on Tarique Rahman to kill him surpassed even medieval times."
 
He added, "'Ziaur Rahman is the announcer of independence'. For saying this, I was terminated from Dhaka University under Sheikh Hasina's orders. My wife, who was suffering from cancer, was thrown out of the university dormitory on a one-day notice. 27 cases were filed against me including 2 traitor charges. The police used to harass my parents at my house in Uttara."
 
Murshed demanded justice for the torture he suffered, saying, "The government must address this, or else the independence won by the blood of the people will fail, and no one should ever face such oppression again."
 
He further added, "The Dhaka University administration is still working with the fascists of the Awami League. Through this administration, fascist have been recruited." He urged Chhatra Dal to stay vigilant and protest.
 
Tahmina Rushdi Runa, wife of M.A. Elias Ali and adviser to BNP's Chairperson, stated that there is no alternative to student politics in running the country smoothly. She said, "In 2009, the Awami League formed a Human Rights Commission, but they never allowed anyone to work independently. Instead, those who worked on human rights were subjected to harassment and false cases. The Awami League has established a culture of abduction to retain its power."
 
She further stated, "In the last fifteen years, the highest number of abductions have occurred within BNP and its affiliates. The government, which was formed through the people's mass uprising, had higher expectations. There was hope that the missing people would be found, but despite signing international conventions and forming an abduction commission, no meaningful steps have been taken."
 
Other speakers included Dr. Nurul Amin Bepari, Advocate Farzana Sharmin Putul, Professor Dr. Mohammad Najmuzjaman Bhuiyan from the Law Department, journalist Ehsan Mahmud from Netra News, Dhaka University Chhatra Dal President Ganesh Chandra Ray Sahos, General Secretary Nahiduzzaman Shipon, and other leaders of Chhatra Dal.
 
End/UNB/SM/ssk