Human Rights
United Nations : On verge of collapse or at threshold of reform?
Born out of the ruins of the Second World War in 1945, the United Nations was created with the hope of ensuring peace, justice and security for humanity. Its aim was to establish a global platform where all states would participate equally and disputes would be resolved through dialogue, not conflict. But after nearly eight decades the question arises—has the UN fulfilled its mission, or is it now standing at the edge of collapse?
Ensure food security of people
Food is a basic human right. But unfortunately, today 31 per cent of the country’s people suffer from food insecurity. In addition, 48.2 per cent cannot afford healthy food. This information was revealed last Monday at a seminar organised in the capital by the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority
Stop manipulation of rice in food warehouses
Once upon a time, the Magh pirates came and plundered the wealth of this land. It is said they even harvested crops from the fields. Today the Maghs are no more, but homegrown pirates are on the rise. By manipulating rice in food warehouses.
Reducing prison congestion and costs using technology
This was written shortly after the National Movement for Social Justice conducted a webinar on problems with remanding practices in the aftermath of the neurologist and her daughter being remanded.
Murder cases, mob violence now new weapons for journalist persecution
George Orwell, the author of the world-renowned dystopian novel 1984, which deals with surveillance, fictional injustice, and authoritarianism, also expressed timeless views on journalism. One of them is: “Journalism is printing what someone else does not want printed: everything else is public relations.” And truly so—the journalist’s job is to expose suppressed information, matters of public importance, and secret activities. The aim of journalism is to speak out against injustice, inconsistencies, and corruption. A journalist's mission is to act as an observer and protect people from being deceived and deprived. But questioning those in power, high-ranking officials, members of various forces, and people involved in crimes is a difficult task.
Admitting fault not enough for forgiveness; strict action necessary
The simple Bangla meaning of ‘common sense’ is basic judgement. It is essential for any sensible person to possess this. Otherwise, they end up messing things up in every task. For those holding important positions in the state, common sense is even more crucial. But judging from the situation, it seems some members of our law enforcement agencies may have lost even this basic sense of proportion. Occasionally, they commit such ‘acts’ that leave one utterly shocked. Just like a report from yesterday has left us stunned.
Shaheed Abu Sayeed, you are not a failure, nor the cry of your soul
Abu Sayeed was born in 2001 in Babonpur village of Pirganj upazila in Rangpur. His father is Mokbul Hossain, his mother Monowara Begum. Abu Sayeed had six brothers and three sisters; he was the youngest of nine siblings. He passed the fifth grade from the local Jafor Para Government Primary School with a talent pool scholarship. Afterwards, he passed SSC from the local Khalashpir Dimukhi High School with a Golden GPA-5. In 2018, he passed intermediate with GPA-5 from Rangpur Government College. Later in 2020, he got admitted to the Department of English at Begum Rokeya University. He was a student of the 12th batch (2024) of the English department at Rokeya University. Abu Sayeed was a spirited, talented young student. People in his area had dreams centred around him. It is unbearably painful to bring back the body of that same Sayeed.
Active Human Rights Commission immediately
While incidents of human rights violations are occurring in a row, it is reported in the media that the National Human Rights Commission has been inactive for the last four months. As a result, victims of human rights violations are being deprived of services. According to the news published in the media yesterday, March 18 (Tuesday), after the fall of the Awami League government in the student-public uprising on August 5 last year, the commission formed during that government survived until November. Although the previous chairman and members resigned due to the change in the political landscape, the new commission has not been formed which is disappointing. This may seem like the interim government does not consider the importance of the Human Rights Commission.
Tears of the rape victim remains unseen
The deteriorating law and order situation in the country has led to a sharp rise in horrifying incidents of rape. Among them, the brutal rape of an 8-year-old child in Magura has shocked the nation. According to research reports from the Bangladesh Mahila Parishad and Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), in just January and February of this year, 96 people were raped, including 44 children.
