Quarterly meeting of Human Rights Defenders Network held on
The Human Rights Defenders Network, Sylhet, organized its quarterly advocacy meeting in a conference room of a Hotel in Sylhet city on 21st September 2023. Mr. Faruque Mahmud Chowdhury, President of Human Rights Defenders Network, Sylhet, presided over the meeting. The meeting was started by the well come speech of Mr. Lakshmikanta Singh, Member Secretary of Human Rights Defenders Network, Sylhet, and Executive Director of ECDO. Renowned human rights activist and Advocate Sultana Kamal, founder president of Manabadhikar Sangskriti Foundation (MSF) was present as chief guest in the meeting. Mr. Bisheswar Singha, senior assistant judge and district legal aid officer was present as keynote speaker. Professor Anwara Begum, former head public administration of Shahjal University of Science and Technology (SUST), Advocate Emad Ullah Shahidul Islam, former president of the Sylhet District Bar association was present as special guest. Ms. Nongpoklai Sinha, coordinator, ECDO made a power point presentation on the statistics of crime and incidences that occurred in Sylhet district over previous four months. Chief guest advocate Sultana Kamal, highlighted in her speech that people and the government are in conflict at present because the people’s representatives were not elected through free and fair election. As decent citizens, we must therefore be conscious about our rights to the state. So as honest citizens, we have to keep our consciences alert. She urged to the all human rights defenders member to observe the current situation in the country and work together to establish human rights in society. Mr. Bisheswar Singha, legal aid officer and keynote speaker of the event provided a clear direction on how people might contact to district legal aid office for getting any legal support. Then he provided a thorough description of the legal aid procedures of his office. He also requested to all human rights defenders and other participants in the event to contact him for any kinds of legal assistance from his office. Advocate Syeda Shirin Akhter, divisional coordinator of Bangladesh Women Lawyers Association also presented a success story of a particular case that she had observed and supported. She appreciated Human Rights Defenders (HRD) Network Sylhet and MSF for providing legal support to some of her ultra poor clients. Mr. Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Hossienie, Associate Professor, Public Administration of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST), said ethical and moral instruction is vital thing for reducing crime. Therefore, parents should be prepared to teach morality and ethics to their children in order to shield them from drugs and other illicit behavior. Advocate Syed Monir Ahmed Helal, cultural activist and member of HRD, Mr. Abdul Karim Kim, General Secretary of Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (BAPA) and HRD member, Mr. Subal Chandra Das, Vice principal, Nurjahan Memorial Womens College and HRD member, Advocate Rezaul Karim khan HRD member, Mr. Tipu Sultan, Coordinator of MSF and also kept their valuable speech among others. Mr. Faruque Mahmud Chowdhury concluded the session by his closing speech thanking everyone for their enthusiastic participation. It should be mentioned that the Human Rights defenders Network, Sylhet is established by the inspiration of Ethnic Community Development Organization (ECDO) in 2012 with the aim of establish Human Rights in the society. Renowned academicians, Lawyers, NGO activist, Media personnel and civil society members are involved in this network who are working fully voluntarily.
