Participation of HRCBM in UPR and in a protest rally in Geneva
Dhiman Chowdhury
From: Manik Paul
[mailto:mani...@gmail.com]
Sent: Friday, May 03, 2013 2:25 PM
To: Dhiman Chowdhury
Subject: Participation of HRCBM in UPR and in a protest rally in Geneva
Bangladesh participated in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process at the UN Human Rights Council on 29 April 2013 in the 16th Session of the UPR Working Group in Geneva, Switzerland. Mr. Manik Paul, Executive Director of HRCBM, Europe was one of the participants in the event as an observer. Immediately after the session a side event was organised by GHRD in collaboration with World Barua Organization. HRCBM Europe was one of the participating NGOs along with other human rights organizations. Dr. Mizanur Rahman and Mrs.Sultana Kamal , participating members of UPR process were the panelists in the event.
A parallel program of protest rally against ongoing violence on the minorities of Bangladesh was organized by BHBCUC Europe and HRCBM Europe outside the UN building under the 'Broken Chair' (an open area where a giant broken chair is placed). The rally was attended by Minoritiy council Switzerland, Minorotiy Council Europe, Awami League Geneva, Bangladesh Club Geneva and reinforced by a huge number of participants from France under the banner of Bangladesh Samprodiyk Sompritri Rakha Porishad, Dr.Mizanur Rahman, Chairman of National Human Rights Commission, Bangladesh and Advocate Rana Das Gupta, General Secretary, BHBCUC central committee also showed their solidarity with the rally by their active participation.
Finally, Mr. Amarendra Roy, President of BHBCUC Europe handed over a Joint Memorandum (signed by HRCBM Europe and BHBCUC Eirope) destined for Mr.Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of UN and Ms.Navi Pillay, UN High Commissioner for Human Right.