‘Human rights must foster as culture, not law’
Staff Reporter :
Law Adviser Dr Asif Nazrul has stressed that human rights should be nurtured as a culture deeply rooted in society rather than viewed merely as a matter of legal enforcement.
“Human rights must be practiced as a cultural value. It cannot be secured solely through the force of law. We need self-reflection, self-criticism, and a collective effort for moral and social improvement,” Dr Nazrul said.
He was speaking at a seminar organised by the Human Rights Support Society at the Professor Mozaffar Ahmed Chowdhury Auditorium at Dhaka University on Saturday.
Calling for greater openness, Dr Nazrul said, “Every university must foster a culture of transparency. Legal and institutional reforms will follow when we truly embrace the virtues that uphold rights and justice.”
He also criticised what he described as global double standards in human rights advocacy. “Many believe that Europe and America have fully implemented human rights. Yet these same countries wage wars for fossil fuels, profit from arms sales, and back oppressive regimes. This hypocrisy must be recognised,” he said.
Dr Nazrul also described the previous Awami League regime as a “fascist era,” reminding the audience of the sacrifices made to topple it.
“Thousands gave their lives to end Hasina’s authoritarian rule. We must not forget this price and we must ensure that such brutality never returns,” he said.
Speaking at the same event, Dr Muhammad Ekramul Haq, Dean of Dhaka University’s Law Faculty, underscored the urgent need for genuine implementation of human rights protections.
“If the judiciary is turned into a tool of fascism, no constitutional safeguard can deliver justice. Judicial independence is vital,” he noted.
He added that the fall of the previous authoritarian government in 2024 has created an opportunity to build an independent judiciary.
“Now is the time to ensure accountability, reform governance, and pave the way for a fair and just society,” Dr Haq said.
Sanjida Khan, mother of Shahriar Khan, a martyr of the July uprising, shared her grief with the audience. “I live in a country where rights are violated every day. The taxes I paid bought the bullets that killed my son,” she said.
Michael Chakma, a victim of enforced disappearance, recounted his ordeal: “My family searched for me endlessly until my father died of a heart attack.
They even performed my funeral rites while I was alive. How desperate must a family be to bury a man who still breathes?”
The seminar concluded with an award ceremony recognising 10 winners of the Human Rights Olympiad.