Youth urged to play active role in torture prevention, human rights protection

Young people have a vital role to play in preventing torture, protecting human dignity and strengthening the rule of law, speakers said at a dialogue organised ahead of the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.

The programme was organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Bangladesh in collaboration with the Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT) and Dhaka University on the university campus on Monday (22 June).

The dialogue brought together students, human rights practitioners, academics and international experts to discuss torture prevention, institutional accountability and the protection of fundamental rights.

Participants also explored ways in which young people can contribute to raising awareness, challenging injustice and promoting a culture of accountability.

Professor Muhammad Ekramul Haque, Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Dhaka, inaugurated the programme.

He stressed the importance of protecting oversight institutions from external influence and called for strengthening constitutional safeguards for the National Human Rights Commission to ensure greater accountability and human rights protection.

Swiss Ambassador to Bangladesh Reto Renggli highlighted the significance of Bangladesh's accession to the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture (OPCAT), describing it as an important commitment to upholding human rights and safeguarding human dignity.

He said Switzerland would continue supporting efforts to strengthen independent institutions and human rights protection in Bangladesh.

Romana Schweiger, Senior Advisor on Rule of Law, Justice and Human Rights at UNDP, emphasised the collective responsibility to ensure that torture is never tolerated, justified or ignored.

Marie Lequin, Director of Operations at the Association for the Prevention of Torture, said Bangladesh's accession to OPCAT was a positive step, but effective protection would require the establishment of a strong national preventive mechanism.

The programme also featured presentations by Greg Heesom, Senior Human Rights Advisor at the Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions, and Yuyun Wahyuningrum, former Executive Director of ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights.

The speakers engaged students in discussions on the independence and effectiveness of national human rights institutions, challenges in preventing torture and lessons from international experiences. Participants also reflected on how young people can promote human rights through research, public dialogue, civic participation and responsible advocacy.

Observed annually on 26 June, the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture marks the entry into force of the United Nations Convention against Torture and serves as a reminder that torture violates human dignity and must be prevented under all circumstances.

UNDP and its partners said the initiative aims to equip young people with knowledge and practical insights, helping nurture a new generation of advocates committed to human rights, justice and the rule of law.