‘Human rights are constitutional rights’

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Dhaka

Wednesday, 01 June 2011

Author / Source : DU CORRESPONDENT

DHAKA, MAY 31: Chairman National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Prof Dr Mizanur Rahman has said that human rights are constitutional rights of the people of the country hence must be preserved thoroughly. “The issue of human rights is clearly mentioned in our proclamation of independence,” he said, while quoting, “We wage the war of liberation... to ensure the people of Bangladesh equality, human dignity and social justice.”
Prof Rahman was speaking as chief guest at a seminar titled, ‘Role of Media in Promoting Transparency for Human Rights in Bangladesh,’ organized by Relief International Bangladesh (RIT) and projected by European Union at Dhaka University Senate Building on Tuesday.
NHRC chief said, “Extra judiciary killing is inhuman and hence could not be tolerated even if the victim is accused of several number of crimes.” He said that there is a possibility that one can kill another in self-defense, but whether the killing was in self-defense or not should be decided by the court. “If the court gives the verdict that a police or RAB officer killed a particular person for self-defense only then we will be satisfied, not merely by the killers’ statement,” he added.
Among others, Prof Dr Imtiaz Ahmed of DU, RIT country director Nazrul Islam addressed the seminar while consulting editor of the Financial Express Zaglul Ahmed presented the keynote paper.
Zaglul Ahmed said the media has to play more courageous role in order to protect human rights in the country. However, he underscored the need for strengthening of media monitoring system along with its freedom. Media monitoring could be possible under the ‘code of conduct,’ he said.