Geneva Seminar Raises Concerns Over Bangladesh’s Rule of Law and Human Rights

• Geneva seminar examines Bangladesh’s constitutional and human-rights situation.
• Sheikh Hasina calls for free and informed political participation.
• Speakers raise concerns over judicial independence, detention and media freedom.
• International experts call for due process and stronger rule-of-law safeguards.

GG News Bureau
Geneva, 4th Oct: Bangladesh’s constitutional order, rule of law, human rights, political participation, judicial independence and the future of its democratic institutions came under extensive discussion at an international seminar held at the Geneva Press Club on Friday.

The seminar, titled “Constitutional Crisis in Bangladesh: Right to Education, Arbitrary Detention and Fabricated Tribunal Sentences,” brought together former political leaders, lawyers, human-rights advocates, researchers and international experts from Europe, Asia and Africa.

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister and Awami League President Sheikh Hasina delivered the keynote address. Other speakers included Professor Dr. Md. Habibe Millat, former European Parliament member Paulo Casaca, Dr. Siegfried O. Wolf, Japanese human-rights advocate Shinichi Fujiki, Carl Gustav Bjartnes, Professor Alfred de Zayas, Dr. Chongsi Ayeah Joseph and Swedish attorney Mona Haghou Strindberg.

Sheikh Hasina calls for free and informed public choice

In her keynote address, Sheikh Hasina described Bangladesh as facing what she termed a serious constitutional crisis and said the country’s future should be determined through the free and informed will of its people.

She alleged that the political developments of July and August 2024 had been followed by political retaliation, arbitrary detention and politically influenced legal proceedings. She also expressed concern over the impact of political affiliation on students, young professionals and citizens.

According to the document, Sheikh Hasina argued that a constitution should protect citizens from arbitrary power, guarantee equality before the law and provide democratic mechanisms for resolving political differences. She said political identity should not be treated as collective criminal liability and that allegations of criminal conduct should be addressed individually through due process.

She also raised concerns about the use of criminal and anti-terrorism laws, judicial independence and tribunal proceedings. She warned that the use of judicial institutions for political retaliation could weaken public confidence in the justice system.

Sheikh Hasina called on the United Nations, democratic governments, human-rights organisations, the legal community and Bangladesh’s international partners to closely monitor developments in the country. She urged restoration of due process, protection of students and professionals, adequate medical care for detainees and safeguards for freedom of expression, association and peaceful political activity.

Millat highlights concerns over democratic rights and citizen security

Professor Dr. Md. Habibe Millat, President of the Global Center for Democratic Governance, said Bangladesh was facing what he described as a broad crisis involving the rule of law, judicial protection, democratic rights and citizen security.

He alleged that political violence and insecurity had affected professionals, journalists and minority communities and raised concerns about educational institutions, media organisations and prison conditions.

Millat called for greater international scrutiny and restoration of democratic and civic rights, saying that Bangladesh needed justice and the restoration of citizens’ rights.

International speakers focus on democracy and human rights

Former European Parliament member Paulo Casaca said Bangladesh’s situation should be examined through a broader democracy and human-rights framework rather than solely as a constitutional or political dispute.

He raised concerns over political participation, freedom of expression, pressure on journalists and the independence of educational institutions. He argued that constitutional and electoral debates should not overshadow fundamental questions concerning citizens’ ability to express political views freely and journalists’ ability to work without fear.

Dr. Siegfried O. Wolf, Research Director of the South Asia Democratic Forum in Germany, expressed concern over what he described as shrinking political pluralism on university campuses. He referred to alleged political labelling, intimidation and pressure on students, teachers and administrators, while stressing the importance of institutional neutrality and academic freedom.

Japanese human-rights advocate Shinichi Fujiki called for greater scrutiny of arbitrary detention, politically motivated cases, media restrictions and judicial proceedings. Referring to international fair-trial standards, he stressed the importance of due process, adequate disclosure of evidence and effective appeal mechanisms, particularly in cases involving capital punishment.

Calls for dignity, security and equal justice

Carl Gustav Bjartnes, President of SEEDS-Africa, argued that Bangladesh’s development should not be measured solely by economic growth. He said security, dignity, fair treatment, access to education and opportunities for decent livelihoods should also form part of the development framework.

He also raised concerns about prison overcrowding and lengthy judicial proceedings, proposing an independent assessment of detention procedures, prison conditions, healthcare, security, rehabilitation and oversight.

Professor Alfred de Zayas, a professor at the Geneva School of Diplomacy and former UN Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order, urged greater international attention to Bangladesh’s constitutional and human-rights situation.

He referred to existing UN human-rights mechanisms concerning torture, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances and judicial independence, and encouraged individuals and organisations to submit relevant information to international mechanisms.

Rule of law described as central to constitutional crisis

Dr. Chongsi Ayeah Joseph, President and Chief Executive of Cameroon’s Center for Human Rights and Peace Advocacy, said the rule of law should remain at the centre of discussions concerning Bangladesh’s constitutional situation.

He stressed the importance of independent executive, legislative and judicial institutions and argued that laws should be applied equally regardless of an individual’s identity or status. He also linked constitutional governance with international human-rights obligations and citizens’ rights.

Swedish lawyer warns against politicisation of criminal justice

Swedish attorney Mona Haghou Strindberg said accountability for serious crimes committed during periods of political upheaval is legitimate and necessary, but criminal justice should not become an instrument of political transition.

She said alleged serious human-rights violations during the July-August 2024 unrest should be investigated, while any accountability process must comply with international human-rights law, judicial independence, due process and the rule of law.

Referring to Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, she stressed that detention must not be arbitrary and called for regular and effective judicial review of detention.

Strindberg also referred to the case of human-rights advocate, journalist and filmmaker Shahriar Kabir, whom she identified as her client, and cited a 2025 opinion of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. She said the case highlighted questions surrounding the legal basis and continuation of detention, judicial review and the relationship between detention and freedom of expression.

She maintained that governments have the right to investigate and prosecute serious crimes committed under previous administrations, but individuals should be held accountable on the basis of evidence rather than political identity. She warned that ignoring these safeguards could undermine confidence in the judiciary.

International participation

The seminar brought together participants from Europe, Asia and Africa and focused on constitutional governance, democratic participation, education, judicial independence, detention, media freedom and human rights in Bangladesh.

Human-rights advocate and Geneva Press Club member Rahman Khalilur Mamun was also present and moderated the event. The organisers said the seminar was intended to create an international platform for discussing Bangladesh’s constitutional and human-rights situation and to encourage engagement with international institutions, legal experts and civil-society organisations.

The organisers emphasised the need for continued international attention to the rule of law, due process, democratic participation, human rights and protection of citizens regardless of political identity.