\\\'Razee defender of HR, sentinel of democracy\\\'

Recalling the contributions of Dr Aleem Al-Razee, president of Bangla Academy Prof Emeritus Anisuzzaman Saturday said Dr Razee, a lawyer by profession, rose to prominence not only for his skill in advocacy but also as a human rights lawyer for the victims of injustice and oppression, reports UNB.
"Razee was a powerful voice of dissent against authoritarianism, autocracy and military dictatorship, and was committed to upholding national interests whenever they were in danger," he said.
Prof Anisuzzaman made these observations while unveiling the cover of a book titled 'Dr Aleem Al-Razee Smarak Grantha' (Commemoration Book Vol.1: Bengali) at Bangla Academy on the first day of Amar Ekushey Book Fair.
He recalled that Razee was an important defence lawyer in the high-profile Agartala conspiracy trial by Pakistan authority in which the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu was named the accused No 1.
The noted educationist further said Razee was a leading intellectual, humanist and non-conformist who promoted academic freedom. Razee also advanced the cause of education and learning as a tool of human development by founding colleges and schools.
Replying to a query, Prof Anisuzzaman said the Bangla Academy authorities extended the venue of Ekushey Book Fair to the adjacent Suhrawardi Udyan this year since they could no longer accommodate the expanding fair on the academy premises.