Photo: BSS

RAJSHAHI, Aug 1, 2026 (BSS)- A dialogue was held with the participation of local journalists, human rights activists and representatives from various professions here today.

Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) organized the event with the aim of collecting opinions and recommendations at the local level for drafting the Human Rights Defenders Protection Act (Draft). 

The dialogue held at Hotel Warisan was organized with the cooperation of Rajshahi's partner organization under the Nagorikata Programme, which is implemented with the support of the European Union and the Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh. 

The program titled “Engage Now: Enhancing Engagement of Women, Youth and other Marginalized Groups to Foster Accountability and Advance Human Rights Culture in Bangladesh” was moderated by Rokonuzzaman, Project Coordinator of Ain o Salish Kendra.

Former Chairman of Rajshahi Education Board Prof Dipakendra Nath Das, Editor of the Daily Sonali Sangbad Liakat Ali, Director of Bangladesh National Women Lawyers Association Dil Sitara Chuni and Social Watchdog Jamat Khan, among others also spoke.

The main objective of the dialogue was to collect local-level opinions, experiences and recommendations on the proposed Human Rights Defenders Protection Act (Draft) to ensure a favourable environment for the safety, security and independent work of human rights defenders.

Participating journalists, human rights workers and various professionals held detailed discussions on the current challenges, risks and necessary legal protections in the work of human rights defenders. 

Participants in the discussion said that formulating an effective and timely law is extremely important to ensure a safe and independent environment for human rights defenders to perform their duties.
 
They presented constructive opinions and recommendations on various aspects of the proposed law, which will help make the draft law more realistic, participatory and effective. 

Ain o Salish Kendra said that as part of drafting the Human Rights Defenders Protection Act (Draft), dialogues are being organized in phases in different regions of the country with local journalists, human rights activists, lawyers, members of civil society and other stakeholders. 

The opinions and recommendations received from these dialogues will play an important role in finalizing the draft law and will help ensure a safe and supportive environment for human rights defenders in the country.