LocationsBangladesh Renews Commitment to Justice, Equality, and Institutional Human Rights Reform
Call for Stronger Justice and Rights Protections on Human Rights Day
December 10, 2025
Senior government officials, development partners, and human rights advocates at the Human Rights Day 2025 event in Dhaka, reaffirming Bangladesh’s commitment to justice, equality, and strengthened human rights institutions.
©UNDP Bangladesh
Commemorating Human Rights Day 2025, the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division (LPAD), Ministry of Law, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with support from the Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh, organised a discussion on the state of play and way forward today in Dhaka.
Senior government officials, development partners, civil society leaders, and human rights advocates gathered to reaffirm the country’s commitment to justice, equality, and the protection of fundamental rights.
The commemoration also showcased renewed momentum behind institutional reforms, including the long-awaited reform of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) through the Ordinance 2025, a milestone effort to better align with international human rights standards. The event featured a univocal call for the swift appointment of the NHRC commissioners.
©UNDP Bangladesh
Delivering special remarks, Dr. Asif Nazrul, Adviser to the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, noted, “With strengthened institutions, legal reforms, and committed partnerships, we are ensuring that every citizen’s dignity, freedom, and access to justice are protected. True progress comes when laws are implemented effectively, and together, we can build a Bangladesh where justice has no fear, dignity has no price, and human rights have no enemy.”
©UNDP Bangladesh
Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, highlighted, “We have begun the journey from the darkest days of human rights violations toward meaningful progress, a process that demands time, dedication, and strong leadership.”
©UNDP Bangladesh
Adilur Rahman Khan (TBD), Adviser to the Ministry of Housing and Public Works, stressed, “I commend the Ministry of Law for implementing human rights–centered reforms in such a short time. True progress is measured by laws that serve the people and a state that stands united with its citizens. Our hope for future governments is that Bangladesh becomes a genuinely people-centered and democratic country.”
©UNDP Bangladesh
Reaffirming UNDP’s commitment, Stefan Liller, UNDP Resident Representative, emphasised, “Our reform support has aimed to bring Bangladesh’s institutional and legal frameworks into closer alignment with international standards. Central to this effort is the new Ordinance reforming the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). The UN and UNDP remain steadfast in our commitment to walk with Bangladesh on this journey — from painful lessons to a future of hope, where rights are both declared, and delivered.”
Alberto Giovanetti, Counsellor and Head of Political, Economic and Communications Affairs at the Embassy of Switzerland, noted, “Switzerland commends the Government of Bangladesh, UNDP, civil society and other stakeholders for their work in advancing a consultative and evidence-based process to strengthen inclusive reforms like the NHRC Ordinance 2025. Our commitment is to help ensure that these reforms translate into real protection, justice and dignity for all citizens.”
Dr. Hafiz Ahmed Chowdhury, Secretary, LAPD, Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Dr Iftekharuzzaman, Executive Director, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), Anowarul Haq, Assistant Resident Representative, UNDP Bangladesh, Justice Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury, Chair of the Commission of Enforced Disappearance, Ben Buckland, Senior Advisor, Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT), Professor Dr. Muhammad Ekramul Haque, Dean, Faculty of Law, University of Dhaka, Rani Yan Yan, Indigenous Human Rights Defender, Shireen Pervin Huq, Founding Member, Naripokkho were among many who attended the event.
The programme also featured expert sessions on operationalising the NHRC Ordinance, preventing torture, improving access to remedies, and strengthening civil society engagement. Speakers from academia, the judiciary, media, and human rights organisations outlined priorities to sustain progress beyond the interim period.
Closing the event, UNDP reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Bangladesh in building strong, accountable, and people-centred institutions that uphold the fundamental rights of all.
Related
content
content
