On 26 and 27 June 2025, Odhikar, with the support of the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office (UNRCO), organised a two-day training programme for young human rights defenders at the Munshiganj Circuit House. Nineteen students who had been active in the July 2024 pro-democracy movement and expressed strong interest in human rights activism, participated in this.
The training programme was formally inaugurated by the Deputy Commissioner of Munshiganj, Ms. Fatema Tul Zannat, who emphasized the vital role of promoting and protecting human rights at all levels of society. The training was conducted and facilitated by Ms. Taskin Fahmina, Senior Researcher and Trainer of Odhikar; Mr. Zahid Hossain, Human Rights Officer at the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office (UNRCO) and Mr. Parvez Alam, IT Specialist.
The training sessions were interactive and participatory, and focused on building foundational knowledge and practical skills. Participants explored core human rights principles, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Women’s rights and gender equality, the UN Special Procedures System, and the process of reporting human rights violations to these mechanisms. Sessions also addressed digital security issues, protection against digital surveillance and cyber attacks, and safe practices for using digital devices and platforms for human rights defenders.
To commemorate the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture on 26 June, in the evening the participants joined a rally that started at the Circuit House and concluded at the Shaheed Minar, where Odhikar’s statement condemning torture and impunity, was read aloud.
A powerful sharing session was held to reflect on the July 2024 movement and to discuss future directions for democratic engagement. Participants gave deeply moving testimonies. One young woman described joining a protest in Dhaka from Munshiganj with her two and a half year-old son, facing significant risk. Due to the physical stress and fear, she suffered a miscarriage. Others shared their traumatic experiences: one participant had been shot in the leg, and a young woman recounted being hit near her right eye by a stray bullet. Her left eye was also affected, and she requires specialised medical treatment that may not be available in Bangladesh.
Odhikar’s Director, Mr. ASM Nasiruddin Elan, presented certificates to the participants at the conclusion of the training, acknowledging their active engagement and commitment to human rights advocacy. The programme ended with a collective pledge from the participants to continue their activism, grounded in human rights principles, democratic values, and the vision of a just and inclusive Bangladesh.
