Speakers at a programme yesterday said the government, civil society and media can protect human rights as well can stop the violence against ingenious people across the world.

Public awareness is also needed to protect the human rights, they said at a discussion.

Dhaka University Film Society in association with United Nations in Bangladesh organised the panel discussion titled ‘Promoting and Protecting Human Rights Through Film and Other Media’ to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights at Shishu Academy Auditorium in the city. Prothom Alo associate editor Md Abdul Quayyum moderated the discussion where German Ambassador in Dhaka Peter Fahrenholtz, UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Mia Seppo, filmmakers Mostafa Sarawar Farooki and representative of the Human Right Forum of Bangladesh Aung Rakhine spoke. In his speech German Ambassador Peter Fahrenholtz said, "Though the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is just a document of few pages, it's playing a very important role to protect the human rights across the world. Human right is basically connected to the protection of people's dignity."

"It's the duty of all of us to raise our voice against human rights violence and to engage ourselves to protect people's right," he added.  The UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh Mia Seppo said, "The UN is continually working to protect peoples right and empowering the refugees. The UN is also supporting the people and organisations who are working for protecting human rights."