Statement by Mr. Masud Bin Momen, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Bangladesh under agenda item 69(b) Human rights questions, including alternative approaches for improving the effective enjoyment of Human rights and fundamental freedoms and Human rights and reports of special rapporteurs and representatives
Madam Chair,
My delegation took note of the reports submitted under this agenda item including the reports on human right situations of certain countries submitted by special the rapporteurs and special-mandate holders.
Madam Chair,
Bangladesh is strongly committed to the promotion and protection of universal human rights and fundamental freedoms. Our commitment to human rights flows from our Constitution which embodies the principles and provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Bangladesh is signatory to both the principal covenants on Human Rights, and parties to all major human rights instruments.
We have been consistently endeavouring to promote economic, social and cultural rights as well as civil and political rights. We have established necessary legal and institutional framework to ensure that our people can enjoy their rights. Our independent judiciary, Independent Human Rights Commission, vibrant civil society and free media are all important pillars which are consistently monitoring and at the same time supporting the government in the realization of human rights of our people.
Madam Chair:
Like many other least developed countries, we have our challenges in many areas concerning human rights. One of the main challenges is poverty, which is at the root of violation of many human rights. Poverty impedes economic development and deprives people to achieve their economic social and cultural rights. Poverty eradication is, therefore, a priority for our government. Our policies and programmes like social safety net, microfinance, special programmes for women empowerment, and education, all seek to enable our citizens to enjoy the broader spectrum of human rights through attainment of their right to development.
Bangladesh urges all member states to vow to resolve our differences and work in a spirit of collaboration and compassion for the effective implementation of this inalienable right to
development when we are celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Declaration of Right to Development.’
Madam Chair:
Let me reiterate our firm conviction that human rights are indivisible and mutually reinforcing. Our position on human rights issues is based on the principles of universality, non-selectivity, impartiality and objectivity. In line with our principled position, we do not support country- specific resolution, as these resolutions do not contribute at all to the improvement of the overall human rights situations in developing countries without taking into account different levels of their development, national situations, religious background, culture and the challenges faced.
Madam Chair,
My statement would be incomplete if I do not express my grave concern at the continued escalation of human rights violations in the occupied Palestinian territory. The Palestinian people are striving every day for their very basic human rights: right to life, right to food, right to shelter. The repeated appeal of the interactional community to end the human rights violation of the Palestinian people remained unheeded by the perpetrators. If we are really serious about human rights, we should raise our collective voice and compel the occupying force to stop such flagrant violations.
Madam Chair,
The need of the hour is not advocacy but a true commitment to the promotion of human rights through dialogue, consultation and cooperation. We already have an effective and healthy mechanism like UPR for generating such dialogue and cooperation. We should respect each other, understand each other and support each other in our collective endeavour to uphold the cause of universal human rights.
l thank you
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