By Anwaruzzaman Chowdhury Mayor, Sylhet City Corporation An international seminar on Bangladesh’s democracy, human rights, political inclusion, and the future of democratic governance was held at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. Organized by the Canada-based Global Centre for Democratic Governance (GCDG), the seminar, titled "Bangladesh at a Democratic Crossroads: Human Rights, Political Inclusion, and the Future of Democratic Governance," took place on 13 July at the Leonard Wolfson Auditorium, Wolfson College, University of Oxford. The auditorium was filled to capacity, while the event attracted a large international audience through live broadcasts on multiple online platforms. Scholars, academics, legal experts, human rights advocates, and political analysts from Bangladesh and abroad participated both in person and virtually. The online panel featured Sajeeb Wazed, former ICT Adviser to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina; Paulo Casaca, former Member of the European Parliament and Executive Director of the Belgium-based South Asia Democratic Forum; Professor Tarun Khaitan, Professor and Research Director at the Public Law Department of the London School of Economics (LSE) Law School; and Sir Vincent Lynn, Deputy Ambassador and Commissioner of the Switzerland-based International Human Rights Commission (IHRC). The in-person panel included senior journalist Syed Badrul Ahsan, Dr. Raihan Rashid of the University of Oxford, lawyer Advocate Mona Haggou Strindberg, Dr. Ashfaq Alam of King's College London, and Dr. Nayla Haque of the University of London. The discussion was moderated by British human rights activist Chris Blackburn, while the opening address was delivered by Professor Dr. Md. Habibe Millat, President of GCDG. “The Full List of the 1,400 Victims Should Be Made Public” In his keynote address, Sajeeb Wazed urged the United Nations to publish the complete list of the 1,400 people cited as having been killed in one of its reports. He argued that transparency in such sensitive data is essential for ensuring credibility and accountability. Speaking on political participation, Wazed said that no election could genuinely be considered inclusive or broadly acceptable if the country's largest political force was excluded from the electoral process. He further observed that no government can sustain itself in the long term through political exclusion. Addressing Bangladesh's current political situation, Wazed argued that the Bangladesh Awami League, as one of the country's principal political parties, should not be banned. According to him, certain policies pursued by the interim and current governments risk deepening political instability. He also noted that many leaders of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), along with most other political parties, oppose the politics of Jamaat-e-Islami. Dr. Nayla Haque of the University of London highlighted the prolonged detention of Bangladesh's former Chief Justice and his father, calling for their immediate release. She also urged the international community to play a more active role in safeguarding judicial independence, the rule of law, and access to justice. Dr. Raihan Rashid of the University of Oxford called for the withdrawal of restrictions imposed on the Bangladesh Awami League, arguing that sustainable democracy requires the participation of all major political parties. Advocate Mona Haggou Strindberg called for the release of individuals detained in what she described as politically motivated cases. Referring specifically to journalist, author, and human rights activist Shahriar Kabir, she demanded his release and emphasized the importance of due process, judicial independence, and respect for fundamental human rights. During the concluding session, speakers exchanged views on Bangladesh's democratic future, human rights, the rule of law, and political inclusion. They stressed that strengthening democratic governance requires peaceful political dialogue, accountability, protection of human rights, and the meaningful participation of all major political stakeholders. The speakers concluded that Bangladesh's democratic future would be better secured through an inclusive political environment that upholds the rule of law, protects fundamental rights, and encourages constructive political engagement despite differences.

Anwaruzzaman Chowdhury Mayor, Sylhet City Corporation