UK Human Rights Ambassador Eleanor Sanders reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to safeguarding human rights for all individuals, irrespective of race, religion, or ethnicity, during a recent visit to Bangladesh. Speaking at a seminar on democracy and human rights at Dhaka University’s Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Building on 5 February, Sanders emphasized that human rights should be upheld as a universal issue, integral to justice and accountability.
“The UK will always advocate for and work towards the protection of these rights globally,” Sanders stated, highlighting the nation’s unwavering support for human rights initiatives. Sanders, also the UN Deputy Permanent Representative, is currently in Bangladesh as part of a diplomatic mission that includes meetings with the interim government, human rights organizations, and other critical stakeholders.
The seminar was co-organized by the Dhaka University Applied Democracy Lab and the British High Commission in Dhaka. Professor Sayema Haque Bidisha, the university’s pro-vice-chancellor for administration, addressed the seminar, noting the influential role of Bangladesh’s youth in various political and social movements, including the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement and the July Mass Uprising. Bidisha underscored the importance of young people in shaping a future rooted in democracy, justice, and equality.
A central theme of the seminar was the role of education in fostering democratic values, with Bidisha expressing optimism that the newly established Applied Democracy Lab would inspire students to advocate for these principles.
During her visit, Sanders also took time to explore significant graffiti artworks on the Dhaka University campus, including murals that commemorate the July Mass Uprising, a key event in Bangladesh’s history.
The event was chaired by Mohammad Aynul Islam, Director of the Applied Democracy Lab and Associate Professor at the Department of Political Science at Dhaka University.
Ambassador Sanders’ visit to Bangladesh highlights the UK’s ongoing engagement with Bangladesh on matters of democracy, justice, and human rights, with the aim of strengthening global partnerships in the fight for universal human dignity.
