ZCZC
BSS-31
DAY-HUMAN-RIGHTS-TWO LAST
In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina reiterated her government’s
commitment to upholding the human rights, saying “We enacted the National
Human Rights Commission Act-2009 to realise our commitment to protecting and
developing human rights in the country”.
Noting that the government has recruited 48 staff in the NHRC while
process continues to recruit 40 more officials in the national rights body,
she said the budgetary allocation was also increased for the commission.
This year, Sheikh Hasina said, Bangladesh has been elected the UN Human
Rights Council member for three years.
She said Bangladesh has signed different international documents,
including conventions on the rights of labour, children, women and people
with disabilities, aiming to protect human rights.
“We passed the ‘Labour (amended) Bill-2018′ in the parliament this year to
protect the labours’ rights,” the Prime Minister added.
She said the government is implementing different development projects and
programmes for protecting human rights and ensuring economic empowerment of
all.
Sheikh Hasina called upon all people, government and non-government
organisations, international organisations, development bodies, research
institutions, civil society members, mass media and the owner’s and labour’s
organisations, to play their due role in protecting human rights in the
country.
In his message, UN Secretary General Guterres said: “For 70 years, the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights has been a global beacon – shining a
light for dignity, equality and well-being … and bringing hope to dark
places”.
The rights proclaimed in the Declaration apply to everyone — no matter
race, belief, location or other distinction of any kind, he said, adding that
human rights are universal and eternal.
“They are also indivisible. One cannot pick and choose among civil,
political, economic, social and cultural rights. Today, we also honour the
human rights defenders risking their lives to protect people in the face of
rising hatred, racism, intolerance and repression,” he said.
Pointing out that, human rights are under siege around the world, universal
values are being eroded and the rule of law is being undermined, the UN
Secretary General said, adding “Now more than ever, our shared duty is clear:
Let us stand up for human rights — for everyone, everywhere”.
BSS/PR/SAH/DH/MRI/1823 hrs