Chief Adviser of the interim government Dr. Muhammad Yunus has said that human rights should be promoted as part of one’s belief so that the value of every human life is upheld with dignity and without any discrimination.
He said this in a message delivered on Tuesday (9 December) on the occasion of Human Rights Day 2025, which was observed on Wednesday (10 December).
Dr. Yunus said, “We reaffirm our commitment to work closely and firmly with our international partners and the United Nations to further strengthen our national human rights system, and to cooperate closely with all international partners to uphold human rights worldwide.”
He added, “On the occasion of Human Rights Day 2025, on behalf of the people and the government of Bangladesh, I reaffirm our strong commitment to protecting all human rights and fundamental freedoms enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the UN Charter. This year the day is being observed globally under the theme ‘Human Rights, Essential to Our Everyday Lives.’”
The Chief Adviser said, “We are celebrating this year’s Human Rights Day nearly a year and a half after the historic July mass uprising led by the youth of Bangladesh. In July 2024, people from all walks of life rose against oppression and autocracy, defeating a fascist regime and ensuring the rights and dignity of the people.”
Noting that a “New Bangladesh” emerged through that turbulent period, he said, “We are now preparing to hold a democratic, free, and fair national election in early February 2026, which will determine the path toward building a just and equitable society and further strengthening our democracy. With the overwhelming support of the people, we have recently strengthened our commitment to justice through the verdicts of the International Crimes Tribunal, Bangladesh, which convicted members of the fallen autocratic government for crimes against humanity committed during the July mass uprising.”
Dr. Yunus said, “Today we stand proudly as a nation that has acceded to all nine core international human rights treaties of the United Nations, the latest being the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. We have also signed the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture and all core conventions of the International Labour Organization, which will help ensure workers’ rights and safe working conditions.”
He said that as a member of the UN Human Rights Council, Bangladesh continues to contribute actively to upholding human rights globally. The country is working jointly with the international community to address global challenges such as conflict, humanitarian crises, climate change, and forced displacement that hinder the protection of human rights.
Referring to the forcibly displaced Rohingya who fled ethnic persecution in Myanmar and took refuge in Bangladesh, the Chief Adviser said Bangladesh is determined to protect their rights. “It is extremely regrettable that even after eight years, Myanmar has not taken back a single Rohingya. I draw the attention of the international community to ensuring a permanent solution to the Rohingya crisis through the implementation of safe repatriation at the earliest. I reiterated our position on the Rohingya issue at the high-level UN conference held in New York on 30 September.”
He added, “Similarly, we remain vocal against human rights violations anywhere in the world, including Gaza, and we have continued our unwavering support for the establishment of an independent and sovereign State of Palestine, expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people in their rightful struggle for freedom.”
