Terming the ongoing violence by the 20-party alliance 'gross violation of human rights of common people', speakers at a programme demanded Sunday immediate end to violence, bringing the perpetrators to justice and stopping of extrajudicial killings.
A section of the speakers, however, supported the 'shoot-at-sight' strategy of the government to stop or fight violence while some others opposed it.
They were discussing the issues at a seminar on 'Human Rights Under Threat: Our Task' at Brac Centre Inn in the city.
National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) organised the programme aiming to highlight the ongoing political violence and atrocities on people of Bangladesh to international community and make its position clear as a reply to the concerns expressed by various persons and organisations regarding the country's human rights (HR) situation.
NHRC chief Mizanur Rahman who chaired the programme said in order to protect, promote and safeguard human rights and dignity of common citizens, terrorism and violence must be combated. The state should play its due role in protecting the rights and dignity of citizens.
"For that the state cannot under any pretext shy away from fulfilling its primary obligations towards its citizens. While doing so, we demand of the state and the law enforcing agencies to be mindful of HR standards," he said, adding that there may be situations when force has to be applied, but be careful that force is legitimate and truly for self-defence.
Mr Rahman said traditionally HR violation tends to point finger at the state, but the present situation is totally different where non-state actors have become more crucial in perpetrating violating human rights of citizens.
"State enjoys the monopoly of coercion and power. Now coercion is being exercised not as much by the state as by non-state actors in disguise of political parties or movement which is not acceptable," said Mr Rahman.
Terming it a threat to the state sovereignty, he said the state must repulse and confront and put an end to the challenge in matters of monopoly of coercion or authority.
Echoing former US president George W Bush, he said time has come to ask whether people are against or for the terrorists.
Former adviser to caretaker government Rasheda K Chowdhury called upon the NHRC to step in the present context of rights violation of students and common citizens and called upon to punish all the perpetrators behind the incidence.
Terming the present 'shoot-at-sight' a gross violation of human rights, she said these law enforcement agencies cannot kill any man in this way as they (law enforcers) are paid by taxpayers.
"Whoever be the killer should be tried under law. As a human rights activist, I cannot say they should be killed," said Ms Chowdhury.
Mohila Parishad vice-president Fouzia Moslem said legal right is an important part of human rights.
She questioned former Jahangirnagar University vice-chancellor Professor Anwar Hossain and Law Commission member Shah Alam who supported shoot-at-sight whether they were confirmed about the persons who are killed were involved with arson or not.
In case of any criticism, the ruling party identifies persons with different opinions as 'anti-liberation forces' which bars people from expressing their opinions, she observed.
"All the parties even with some differences of opinion should be united in this situation."
Shah Alam said compared to the incidence of violence, shoot-at-sight is not that much and there should be more shoot-at-sight to stop arson and firebombing.
Major General (retd) Abdur Rashid said more than 1,500 attacks were carried out through arson, bombings and cocktail explosions. But everyone was looking at the criminals with human rights.
He urged people to consider whether the right to life of a citizen and of a perpetrator should be weighed in a same box.
A four-minute documentary film was also screened comparing the 2015 HR situation and atrocities with that of 1971.
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