Coffee with Nadia Choudhury

One of the youngest and promising barristers in Bangladesh, Nadia Choudhury studied at The London School of Economics and Political Science - LSE and City University London UK. She works as the Head of Legal Affairs at Obhoyaronno-Bangladesh Animal Welfare Society. With Obhoyaronno, Nadia had been successfully able to make a difference by issuing a rule upon the government to stop animal fights in Bangladesh. Obhoyaronno was the organisation that filed a writ petition and Nadia was in that team.
Recently, Youth Express interviewed this young barrister who is working for the animal welfare.
Youth Express (YE): The first question hits the deck. It's about the challenges you faced initially and now while working in Bangladesh, especially in the particular advocacy sector.
Nadia Chowdhury (NC): The challenge has always been to make people understand the importance of animal rights. The first concern I had when we were considering moving this case before the Bangladesh Supreme Court was that I would get labeled for life and not get taken seriously as a lawyer for fighting for animal rights. Despite animal rights being directly linked to the environment and thereby to poverty, health, education, women's rights and child mortality and most importantly, being necessary in building a compassionate society with fewer crimes, there are always those who will say, "Why work with animals, when so many human beings are suffering too". Getting rid of that mentality and creating awareness is our biggest challenge.
YE: You have been under the spotlight after issuing an embargo with the aid of High Court on stopping animal fights for entertainment in Bangladesh. Any update in this regard?
NC: That order of stay is still in place and we will be filing for a rule absolute within this month. Since the passing of the order of stay, we have been more successful in stopping dog culling than bull fights. This sport is particularly popular in Sylhet district due to being encouraged and enjoyed mostly by wealthy British Sylhetis. We are considering filing for contempt of the order of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh with regard to such incidents still taking place even after the issuance of this order.
YE: Obhoyaronno issued bans and embargos on animal fights in a country where cruelty knows no bound on human beings and you are also vowing to punish the people those who are cruel to animals. Do you think you can come out with a feasible outcome?
NC: Absolutely! Human beings are naturally born as empathetic, compassionate and kind beings. Punishment may be an effective deterrent, but it is not the solution. People who display acts of cruelty are victims of their circumstances and life experiences. Obhoyaronno's many successes show that awareness leads to less animal cruelty.
YE: To make Bangladesh humane towards animals and nature and educate the countrymen on how to become soft heartened towards other living beings, don't you think a comprehensive campaign should be launched?
NC: A comprehensive campaign would definitely help and we are trying to raise funds to do exactly that, amongst other things on our to-do list to help create a more humane society.
YE: As a young animal welfare activist, do you see any hope for Bangladesh? Do you see the future secured for the lives without voices?
NC: Bangladesh in its natural state is a nation of people who care deeply for their cattle and animals. Compassion for animals is more apparent amongst villagers and tribal people in Bangladesh. It is when we come to the metropolitan cities that we see frequent road accidents and abuse, more so by factories and big corporations.
Obhoyaronno has managed to secure many great outcomes and has been recognised internationally for its fight for the voiceless in just the last few years that it has been active. We have a lot more work to do, but we are definitely getting there.