The rise of far rightist, ultra-nationalist movements around the world is a major factor in the increase in human rights violations. In South Asia, grave violations of human rights continue. In Pakistan, human rights organizations have reported enforced disappearances, torture, crackdown on peaceful protests, attacks on journalists and violence against religious minorities and other marginalized groups. In India, the rise of religious-based nationalism has severely curtailed the rights of minority communities with many instances of violent attacks as well as clamping down on freedom of speech and expression.
Bangladesh, too, has had a damning human rights record. What is most disappointing is the government's characteristic response to reports from human rights organizations—staunch denial. But the ground realities prove otherwise. The human rights violations in the Chattogram Hill Tracts (CHT), the choking of freedom of speech with draconian laws like the Digital Security Act (now changed to the Cyber Security Act, with merely cosmetic changes), custodial torture and death, curbing of independent media, arbitrary arrests and slapping of innumerable cases on opposition party leaders (including "ghost cases"), and preventing peaceful assembly, have been allowed to continue.
The politicization of law enforcement agencies as well as an implicit carte blanche to the political elite, have resulted in a significant rise in these violations where the ordinary people or those who are not connected to power, are the victims. Violence against women and children (that includes sexual violence) in Bangladesh this year has also been very high. Governments all over the world must acknowledge the violations occurring under their reign and make sincere commitments to uphold The Universal Declaration of Human Rights which is a common standard of rights every human being is entitled to. Bangladesh has to be prepared to comply with human rights standards as it is poised to graduate from the Least Developed Country (LDC) status to a middle-income nation by 2026, Charles Whiteley, Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh said in January 2024. The goal we want to achieve through implementing due diligence law is universal and desired by all. So legislation should be something that is truly global and accepted in all places, which is not the case we are witnessing.
On one hand, it is increasing the cost of compliance for the manufacturers. On the other hand, factories vary in terms of cost competitiveness and capacity levels, which is making it more difficult for them to comply with several legislations when it can be done in a universal way.
Bangladesh will further strengthen national institutions that promote human rights, rule of law, democracy and good governance and involve NGOs and other stakeholders in human rights promotion at all levels.
Latest News