On the occasion of International Human Rights Day, a seminar was held at the University of Dhaka highlighting ongoing abuse on campuses, human rights violations, and the demand for ensuring a safe educational environment. The seminar was jointly organized by the United Nations Human Rights Commission, Bangladesh, and the US-based human rights research and advocacy organization Sochchar—Torture Watchdog Bangladesh. The event took place on 15 December 2025 (Monday) from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the R. C. Majumdar Auditorium of the Lecture Theatre Building on the university campus.
The seminar was conducted in three segments: a photo exhibition, a session for sharing victims’ experiences, and keynote speeches, followed by the main discussion.
Speakers and guests at the event included United Nations Human Rights and Governance Specialist Zahid Hossain; President of Sochchar, Dr. Shibbir Ahmed; Supreme Court lawyer Barrister Ahmed Bin Qasem; ICT Prosecutor Barrister Shaikh Mahdi; Assistant Professor of Stamford University Bangladesh, Farzana Sultana; lawyer Advocate Shah Mahfuzul Haque; SAPRAN researcher Nusrat Jahan Nishu; PhD researcher at the University of Alabama, Shafiqul Islam Mahfuz; DUCSU member Anas Ibne Munir; and DUCSU Cafeteria and Reading Room Editor Umme Salma.
During the session on sharing victims’ experiences, several students from Chhatra Dal and Islami Chhatra Shibir described incidents of abuse that occurred on campus. Among them were Jannatul Naurin Urmi, a Chhatra Dal leader from Barishal University; Sanaullah Patwari, an organizer of “Up Bangladesh” at the University of Dhaka; and former Shibir activists Rakib and Ekramul Haque. Their testimonies reflected a picture of political violence, intimidation, and a culture of impunity prevailing on campuses.
The speakers stated that educational institutions can in no way be spaces for abuse or political violence. Ensuring a safe campus is the responsibility of the state, university authorities, and all concerned stakeholders. They emphasized the need for a zero-tolerance policy against abuse, impartial investigations, accountability of perpetrators, and rehabilitation of victims.
Nearly one hundred and fifty students from the University of Dhaka and Jagannath University participated in the seminar. At the conclusion of the discussion, a call was made for collective social and institutional initiatives to build a safe, violence-free, and human rights–compliant campus.
Relevant news report in this regard are as follows –
Daily Janakantha – আন্তর্জাতিক মানবাধিকার দিবসে ক্যাম্পাস নির্যাতন ও নিরাপদ শিক্ষাঙ্গন নিয়ে সেমিনার