A Biblical quote is the foundation for Human Rights: Communication Expert

Communication expert says people need to be enlightened to foster Human Rights in the light of a Bible quotation found in Matthew 22:39.

Dhaka University Professor Robaet Ferdous of the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism quoted a Bible text: Love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:39) to stress the need to overcome human rights violations.

"In order to realize human rights, people must first be enlightened," says Professor Ferdous during a function for creating awareness on Human Rights.

Bangladesh Catholic Church celebrated World Human Rights Day at CBCB center Mohammadpur, Dhaka, on December 9.  The event was organized by the Episcopal Commission for Justice and Peace of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Bangladesh (CBCB).

"Human rights are a human birthright. But since the creation of man, this demand has been constantly violated. It is the responsibility of each of us to establish human rights," said Bishop Gervas Rozario, the President of Bangladesh's Episcopal Commission for Justice and Peace.

Bishop Rozario urged to intensify efforts to create awareness about human rights and help on human rights issues.

Professor Ferdous acknowledged that the Bangladesh Catholic Church is working to spread the light of human rights education.

"All should work in unison for people to realize their rights," said Dhaka University Professor Mesbah Kamal, a member of Technocrats, Technical Committee for Parliamentary Caucus of Indigenous Peoples.

Professor Kamal admitted that human rights are constantly being violated and the difficulty to have a non-communal country.

"Everyone has participated in the war of independence of Bangladesh irrespective of race, religion and caste. The contribution of the Christian community in the war of independence is undeniable. One of the many reasons for the war of independence is to build a non-communal country, not a discriminatory one," the professors said.

Professor Kamal confessed a reality: But sadly, it is not yet possible to build a non-communal country.

Sanjeeb Drong, the General Secretary of Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples Forum, painted unhappy picture that the worst sufferers of human rights violations are the indigenous, marginalized people, and minorities.

"Tribals (indigenous people) and minorities were persecuted in different parts of the country. They have lost their homeland and are now destitute. Every human rights organization today is vocal in defending the rights of indigenous peoples and minorities," Drong acknowledges.

Along with human rights workers, Church officials present for the event were Father Liton H. Gomes, CSC, secretary for CBCB Justice and Peace Commission, diocesan coordinators of Justice and Peace Commission, representatives of religious congregations, and officials from Caritas Bangladesh.

"Eliminate Inequality, Increase Equality, and Protect Human Rights" is the UN theme for World Human Rights Day celebrated on December 10.