Civil, political rights at stake: NHRC chief

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) chairman Prof Mizanur Rahman has said the challenges faced by the country's civic and political rights must be addressed.
His comments came at the plenary session on ‘Consultation on second cycle of UPR Recommendations: Status of its Implementation,’ organised by the NHRC, at the CIRDAP International Conference Centre yesterday.
Referring to the news conference held by 19 families on Friday at the National Press Club to know about the whereabouts of their family members from the state, Rahman sought an answer from law minister Anisul Huq by asking him if he were aware of their complaints.
“This is certainly a matter of violation of human rights. The state has the right to rescue them, assuming that they were abducted by the state itself,” he said.  The NHRC chairman said the second UPR review under the UN Human Rights Council was held in 2013. At that time, a number of countries gave certain recommendations on the Bangladesh report. The next review would be in 2017, where the government would have to give an account of the human rights situation in the backdrop of implementation of the previous recommendations, he added.
Yesterday’s UPR meeting was arranged so that the government could give its account with its head high, he added.
The review meeting was attended, among others, by representatives from the government, international organisations, NGOs, human rights organisations and women’s groups.
At the inaugural session, the NHRC chairman reminded the government of its commitment to uphold the rights of children. He said there are talks that the minimum age of marriage may come down to 16 from 18. He described it as ‘an ominous sign’.
Law minister Anisul Huq, who was the chief guest at the function, objected to the remark by saying that the proposal is yet to be finalised. He cited policies and different steps taken by the government to improve the quality of life of women, children and the elderly.

Civil, political rights at stake: NHRC chief

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) chairman Prof Mizanur Rahman has said the challenges faced by the countrys civic and political rights must be addressed. His comments came at the plenary session on Consultation on second cycle of UPR Recommendations: Status of its Implementation, organised by the NHRC, at the CIRDAP International Conference Centre yesterday. Referring to the news conference held by 19 families on Friday at the National Press Club to know about the whereabouts of their family members from the state, Rahman sought an answer from law minister Anisul Huq by asking him if he were aware of their complaints. This is certainly a matter of violation of human rights. The state has the right to rescue them, assuming that they were abducted by the state itself, he said. The NHRC chairman said the second UPR review under the UN Human Rights Council was held in 2013. At that time, a number of countries gave certain recommendations on the Bangladesh report. The next review would be in 2017, where the government would have to give an account of the human rights situation in the backdrop of implementation of the previous recommendations, he added. Yesterdays UPR meeting was arranged so that the government could give its account with its head high, he added. The review meeting was attended, among others, by representatives from the government, international organisations, NGOs, human rights organisations and womens groups. At the inaugural session, the NHRC chairman reminded the government of its commitment to uphold the rights of children. He said there are talks that the minimum age of marriage may come down to 16 from 18. He described it as an ominous sign. Law minister Anisul Huq, who was the chief guest at the function, objected to the remark by saying that the proposal is yet to be finalised. He cited policies and different steps taken by the government to improve the quality of life of women, children and the elderly.