Marking International Human Rights Day, the rights-based organisation Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) has issued a comprehensive 15-point set of demands aimed at safeguarding and reinforcing the human rights of the people of Bangladesh. Observed globally on 10 December, the day commemorates the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948—a milestone document affirming that rights are inherent, inalienable, and equal for all, irrespective of race, religion, gender, economic status or place of birth.
To honour the occasion, ASK held a solidarity human chain from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm on Manik Mia Avenue in the capital on Wednesday. The event saw the vibrant participation of ASK staff members, their families, and youth volunteers from its “Speak Up” project. Patriotic songs were performed to highlight the spirit of equality and justice that the day symbolises.
‘Human rights must be upheld every day’
Speaking at the programme, ASK adviser Mabruk Mohammad emphasised that the commitment to human rights cannot be confined to a single day.
“Beyond International Human Rights Day, we must remain vigilant and vocal every day,” he said. “ASK has never bowed to pressure nor compromised. Wherever rights have been violated, we have spoken out and taken action.”
Highlighting the organisation’s ongoing work on women’s rights, he added that despite legal reforms, violence against women and children remains a persistent concern. ASK continues to address these issues through advocacy and legal support.
On civil and political rights, he noted that successive governments have struggled to create a fully rights-respecting environment. Although progress has been made in some areas, several crucial issues remain unresolved.
ASK senior coordinator Abu Ahmed Fayzul Kabir echoed similar sentiments, stressing the need for a society free from discrimination.
He reiterated that extrajudicial killings violate the constitutional guarantee of the right to life:
“No authority has the power to take away a citizen’s life unlawfully. Not a single person in this country should fall victim to extrajudicial execution.”
ASK’s 15-Point Human Rights Charter
Below are the 15 demands announced by ASK for Human Rights Day 2025 under the theme “Let human rights guide our everyday lives”:
| No. | Demand Summary |
|---|---|
| 1 | Impartial investigation and punishment for state-led rights violations, including extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, custodial torture and deaths. |
| 2 | Create an independent commission to investigate all past extrajudicial killings. |
| 3 | Complete investigations into all allegations of enforced disappearances and prosecute offenders. |
| 4 | Ensure strict adherence to High Court directives during arrests and detentions, with accountability for violations. |
| 5 | Address and resolve allegations of politically motivated false cases. |
| 6 | Protect citizens’ right to peaceful assembly and prevent intimidation or force against dissenting voices. |
| 7 | Maintain professionalism within law enforcement agencies and ensure operational accountability. |
| 8 | Reform discriminatory laws to ensure equal rights for women. |
| 9 | Prevent religious incitement and violence; ensure safety and freedom of practice for minority communities. |
| 10 | Safeguard cultural and artistic expression; prosecute those involved in mob vandalism or harassment. |
| 11 | Reform the National Human Rights Commission and Information Commission through an open and participatory appointment process. |
| 12 | Implement the Chittagong Hill Tracts Accord effectively. |
| 13 | Strengthen the Election Commission as a truly independent and credible institution, involving experienced rights-based organisations in observation. |
| 14 | Expand welfare measures for migrant workers, including operational emergency helplines at foreign embassies. |
| 15 | Remove all barriers hindering the work of human rights organisations and ensure state cooperation. |