UNHR council membership

It is a scintillating victory for Bangladesh because among the 13 elected Asian countries Bangladesh secured the third place bagging nearly as many votes as India and Indonesia did.

We look at this triumph of Bangladesh and Bangladeshis as a recognition of the democratic pursuit in Bangladesh for the last fifteen years substantiated by three successful free and fair elections. This prestigious position definitely comes with added responsibilities in that whatever Bangladesh does from here on in terms of protection of human rights at home will be in fuller glare of the international community more than ever before.

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It's a new challenge and becomes more daunting as our track record as far as human rights protection is concerned is not above board with interminable infringement on basic rights, particularly extra judicial killing by Rab and police in by-called "crossfire".

Therefore, while we cheer our new recognition and position, we must not at the same time be oblivious of the state of human rights in the country. This new position brings forth the obligation to deepen our commitment to better the situation through establishing the rule of law, ensuring transparency and accountability in every sphere of governance, and creating an environment of mutual trust and respect for each other.

Despite several commitments with regard to establishing the Human Rights Commission in the country its continuing absence does not augur well as far as uplift of our image is concerned.

We feel no time is better than now to establish this commission to make democracy more meaningful and effective. It goes without saying that in terms of human rights we should have been well ahead of many other countries by now.