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Department of Law & Human Resources

 

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  • ARCHIVE: 2017-15

SDG Lab workshop at UAP

  • 20 May 2017

 

 

In achieving Sustainable Development Goals be humble, be questioning, be empathetic and be bold, said His Excellency Mr. David Ashley, Deputy High Commissioner, British High Commission to Bangladesh in the first SDG lab workshop held at the University of Asia Pacific on Saturday.

The workshop was jointly organized by the Department of Law & Human Rights of the University of Asia Pacific and SDG Lab on Saturday 20 May 2017 in its permanent city campus at Green Road. The aim of this interactive program was to share ideas and thoughts around SDGs and Bangladesh in order to create an aware and informed young generation in Bangladesh. The heart of SDG Lab is four young professionals who studied in different UK universities under the auspices of the UK Government's FCO Chevening Scholarship. They are Mohammad Golam Sarwar, Rezwan Siddiqui, Sekander Zulker Nayeen, and Mahmudul Hoque Moni. The University of Asia Pacific came forward to support their noble initiative. The program started by the National Anthem of Bangladesh and Mrs. Nazia Wahab, Head of the Department of Law & Human Rights of UAP delivered the welcome speech explaining the basics of SDGs and the reality to achieve in Bangladesh. 50 students and young professionals participated in this daylong workshop. Four Chevening Scholars conducted sessions according to their area of expertise. The workshop was divided into two general sessions and one plenary session.

The first general session was conducted by three distinguished speakers who particularly focused on SDG3; Good Health and Well-Being, SDG16; Peace Justice and Strong Institutions, and SDG5; Gender Equality. And in the second general session, Scholars focused on SDG11 & 13; Climate Action, and Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG4; Quality Education, and SDG1 Towards poverty and Inequality free world.

Being invited as Chief Guest at plenary and certificate giving session H.E. Mr. David Ashley said this young generation of Bangladesh is fortunate and lucky enough ever in the history of Bangladesh as they are facing an era of quality education

The Department of Law & Human Rights regularly organizes different programs to nurture the latent talent of young law students and to ensure quality legal education in Bangladesh. Organizing monthly Distinguished Law Lecture Series, Seminars, and workshops on contemporary legal issues are part of its regular academic activities.

The workshop was presided over by Professor Dr. Jamilur Reza Choudhury, the Honorable Vice-Chancellor of UAP who said for the participants that every individual has a particular duty to do to make these goals achievable. Among others, Air Commodore Ishfaq Ilahi Choudhury, Treasurer of the University was present in the program. Mr. Obaidul Haque, UK Government's Chevening Scholar and Associate Professor of Department of International Relations, University of Dhaka moderated the plenary session while Mr. Md. Rezwan Siddiqui, founder of SDG lab concluded the program.

 

 

UAP Law faculty & students participate in a conference on 'Bangladesh Genocide and Justice'

  • 19-21 May 2017

 

Mr. Emraan Azad, Lecturer, Department of Law and Human Rights (L&HR), UAP presented a paper titled "Unlocking the Deadlock of Prosecuting Pakistani Prisoners of War: A Legal Analysis towards Ending Impunity" in the 5th International Conference on 'Bangladesh Genocide and Justice'. The Liberation War Museum organized the three-day-long program from 19-21 May 2017. In the conference, two students from the department, Md. Iftekharul Alam (LLM-1) and Md. Farhad Hossain (4-1) participated in the poster presentation segment.

 

 

Reception to the Newly Enrolled Advocates 

  • 28 January 2017

 

The Department of Law and Human Rights, University of Asia Pacific has organized a reception program in celebrating the success of its graduates in Enrollment Examinations of Bangladesh Bar Council for High Court Division and District Courts. Vice-chairman of Bangladesh Bar Council Mr. Advocate Abdul Baset Majumdar was present as chief guest in the program. He said that the UAP is one of the few private universities which provide quality legal education in Bangladesh. Observing the permanent campus, infrastructure facilities, and excellent academic activities, he expected that UAP graduates would more and more contribute to Bar and Bench in the days to come.

Honorable Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Jamilur Reza Chowdhury also attended the program. In his speech, he said that UAP always strives to provide quality education keeping in mind the expectation of present job markets. The Department of Law and Human Rights regularly publishes the UAP Journal of Law and Policy, arranges Moot Court and Debate Competitions, and organizes UAP Distinguished Law Lecture Series and many other co-curricular activities. Renowned law teachers of Bangladesh including Advocate Professor Dr. Shahdeen Malik, Professor Dr. Mizanur Rahman, Advocate Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Professor Dr. Sarkar Ali Akkas teach in the department. Among others, Chief Justice of Bangladesh Mr. Surendra Kumar Sinha, High Court Division Judge Mr. Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed, Constitutional Law Jurist Mr. Mahmudul Islam, Eminent Jurist Dr. Kamal Hossain, One of the Constitution Makers of Bangladesh Barrister M Amir-Ul Islam, Former Attorney General Mr. A F Hassan Ariff spoke in the previous UAP Distinguished Law Lecture Series.

 

 

Seminar on press freedom in Bangladesh at UAP

  • May 20, 2016

 

 

The Department of Law and Human Rights (L&HR), University of Asia Pacific (UAP) organized a Seminar on “Press Freedom in Bangladesh: Issues and Concerns” at UAP. Eminent lawyer Dr. Shahdeen Malik, Senior Advocate of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh and Adjunct Professor, L&HR, UAP moderated the seminar while Prof. Jamilur Reza Choudhury, VC, UAP chaired the session. Lawyers, media experts, and journalists addressed the seminar and called upon the government ensuring freedom of expression in Bangladesh. Among others, Mizanur Rahman Khan, Prothom Alo, Tushar Abdullah, Somoy TV, Shakhawat Liton, The Daily Star, Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua, Supreme Court of Bangladesh, and Abu Saleh of The Daily Samakal addressed the session. Faculty and students took part in the seminar that concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. A. N. M. Atahar Ali, Head of the Department.

 

 

Roundtable on “Human Rights in 2016”

  • January 21, 2016 

 

Extrajudicial killings and forced disappearances by law enforcers have become a great threat to human rights in the country and it was high time that necessary initiatives were made to stop such incidents, speakers at a roundtable said on Thursday, January 21, 2016.

Bangladesh now seems to be a country where the police are the kings, said noted educationist Prof Jamilur Reza Choudhury while addressing the roundtable at the University of Asia Pacific’s (UAP) Green Road campus. Prof Jamilur Reza, who is the vice-chancellor of the university, said such arrogance and wrongful application of section 54 by the police to harass innocent civilians must be stopped. National Human Rights Commission Chairman Mizanur Rahman said that when forced disappearances take place, the state ignores it by commenting that it was not an act by law enforcers and there was no clue about the perpetrators.

The state must take responsibility for failing to detain the criminals, Mizanur said, adding that the government must identify the culprits and bring them to justice so that the people do not lose their faith in the judiciary. Justice Amirul Kabir Chowdhury, a former chairman of the NHRC, recommended forming high-powered investigation committees for extrajudicial killings, with its members including an official ranked deputy secretary or higher, a representative from the police force, and a representative from the victim’s side. Veteran lawyer Dr. Kamal Hussain emphasized ensuring people’s rights by properly following the constitution’s acts. Another senior advocate of the Supreme Court, Dr. Shahdeen Malik, pointed out that focus also needs to be given on the constitutional right that says one cannot be coerced to testify against himself. “In recent times, we hardly see any case where a police prayer for remand is rejected by the court... In response to a 10-day remand prayer, the court accepts seven-, five-, or three-day remand for someone; but accepts the prayer nonetheless.” This might lead to a violation of rights as it was common knowledge that suspects are coerced into confessing during remand sessions, Dr. Shahdeen said. UAP law and human rights department Assistant Professor Md Abdur Rahim presented the keynote paper at the roundtable. According to figures from rights watchdog Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), 2,411 people were killed in the past 12 years by law enforcers. Also, the number of forced disappearances have also increased in recent years. ASK findings show that the number was 47 in 2010, 59 in 2011, 56 in 2012, 72 in 2013, 88 in 2014; but disappearances fell in 2015 with only 55 taking place.

 

UAP Students and Faculty Attended Asian Society of International Law Youth Forum, 2015 in Thailand.

  • 25th –27th November 2015

 

Asian Society of International Law Youth Forum, 2015jointly organized by the Asian Society of International Law, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Ministry of Justice Thailand. This Forum held in conjunction with the "5thBiennial Conference of the Asian Society of International Law 2015" with the theme " International Law and the Changing Economic & Political Landscape in Asia" on 25th –27th November 2015.

The 5th Biennial Conference of the Asian Society of International Law 2015 is a timely forum for such reassessment and a platform of discussion for lawyers and legal academics within the region and outside the region. The conference has included topics such as the legal aspects of regional economic integration and cooperation, investment, free trade areas, financial cooperation, commercial arbitration, international intellectual property protection, international taxation, political and social integration, and cooperation, transnational crimes, international humanitarian law, international adjudication, dispute resolutions, legal impacts on the environment and energy, and impacts on the legal dimension of doing business in various parts of the Asian Region.

Her Royal Highness Princess BajrakitiyabhaMahidol, Chair of the Special Advisory Board to the Asian Society of International Law, gave a keynote speech at the opening ceremony. Asian Society of International Law Youth Forum, 2015 organized a program concurrently to provide the opportunity for 60 university students in Asia to share opinions and discuss their roles in the issues of the " International Law and the Changing Economic & Political Landscape in Asia" as well as to build among them a network of young leaders within the region.

Five law students have been selected from Bangladesh as youth delegates through a call for paper track amongst all the private and public universities of Bangladesh. Of the five youth delegates, four delegates are the students of the Department of Law and Human Rights (L&HR) of the University of Asia Pacific (UAP). Jaber Ahmed, A.G.S. Al-Amin, FarhanaSulatan, and TanverHossain students of UAP Law attended the program as youth delegates. The University provided incentives both to the students and faculty to attend the conference.

On the final day of the conference, few policies have been proposed to establish sustainable development through the principle of International Law and the Changing Economic & Political Landscape. The students of the Department of Law and Human Rights have proposed an idea to create public awareness in the same way that they are working in the name of Social Awareness Club, Department of Law and Human Rights, UAP. They recognized UAP as a model and create some chapters in different Universities. As a Coordinator of Social Awareness Club, Department of Law and Human Rights, UAP, Mr. Abdullah Al Noman, Lecturer, Department of Law and Human Rights, University of Asia Pacific has ensured the participation of the students of UAPthrough his direct assistance very promptly.

 

 

Roundtable Discussion on "Energy Security of Bangladesh: Prospects and Challenges"

  • 29th October 2015

 

 

American Alumni Association of Bangladesh (AAA) and The Department of Law and Human Rights of the University of Asia Pacific (UAP) - in partnership with The Daily Star and EMK Center - organized a roundtable discussion on the "Energy Security of Bangladesh; Prospects and Challenges" on 29th October 2015 at EMK Center, Dhanmondi.

The roundtable discussed various issues related to the Energy Security of Bangladesh and how the Country can ensure its energy security for the future.

Vice-Chancellor of UAP and Former Advisor to the Caretaker Government Prof. Dr. Jamilur Reza Choudhury and Mr. Tahsin Aman, President, AAA, gave their opening remarks and welcomed the guests. Eminent Jurist & AAA Life Member Dr. Kamal Hossain, Former Advisor to the Caretaker Government and Former Foreign Secretary Mr. Shafi Sami, petroleum & mineral resources expert and Former Advisor to the Caretaker Government Dr. Mohammad Tamim, Executive Director of the Transparency International Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, Executive Director of Power-Energy Management & Engineering Company, Chief Operation Officer of Rahimafrooz Renewable Energy Ltd., Mr. Sohel Ahmed, and representatives from Petrobangla, BUET and the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources participated as panelists in the roundtable discussion. The roundtable discussion program was moderated by Dr. Chowdhury Ishrak Ahmed Siddiky, Adjunct Assistant Professor, UAP.

 

 

Seminar on labor law at UAP

  • September 03, 2015

 

 

September 03, 2015, The Department of Law and Human Rights of the University of Asia Pacific organized a seminar titled “Implementing Labour Law in the RMG Sector of Bangladesh” on August 24, 2015. Marion Champoux-Pellegrin, a student of McGill University, Canada presented a research paper conducted under the supervision of Dr. ANM Atahar Ali, Head of the Department, Department of Law and Human Rights, UAP. Her findings suggest RMG factories should be encouraged to improve their compliance with the national law as a first step towards meeting the compliance demands of the brands and retailers to who they supply. Prof. Dr. Jamilur Reza Choudhury, VC of UAP, delivered the welcome speech. Deputy Director of the Department of Labour (DOL), Abu Ashraf Mahmud gave detailed information about the functioning of the DOL. Dylan Tromp, CSR Specialist of UNICEF spoke as a panel speaker. The seminar ended with the vote of thanks given by Prof. Dr. MR Kabir, Pro-VC of the university.

 

Seminar on "Implementing Labor Law in the RMG Sector of Bangladesh" at UAP

  • 24 August 2015

 

The Department of Law and Human Rights of the University of Asia Pacific has organized a seminar titled "Implementing Labor Law in the RMG Sector of Bangladesh" on 24 August 2015. Ms. Marion Champoux-Pellegrin, a student of McGill University, Canada presented a research paper conducted under the supervision of Dr. A N M Atahar Ali, Head of the Department, Department of Law and Human Rights, University of Asia Pacific.

Her findings suggest that the Bangladesh Labor Law 2006 significantly covers the majority of the requirements of the different general codes of conduct. If a factory is 100% compliant with the national law, it will cover approximately 85% of the requirements of the other general codes of conduct. Hence RMG factories should be encouraged to improve their compliance with the national law as a first step towards meeting the compliance demands of the brands and retailers to who they supply.

This study clearly reveals that the revised Bangladesh Labor Law along with other supporting national legislations such as the Bangladesh Building Code and the Environmental Conservation Rules as well as the overall constitutional framework of Bangladesh provides a comprehensive guideline for factories in the RMG sector to comply with the majority of all international social compliance and environmental standards.

However, one of the main challenges is enforcing the laws. In order to do so effectively, awareness creation on the laws and standards is of paramount importance. Campaigns should focus on knowledge dissemination on the content, the implementation procedures, and how to monitor and maintain the implemented status. Another critical aspect is training personnel such as the government's factory inspectors and the associations' social compliance monitors who are responsible for enforcing the correct implementation of the legislation and standards.

Professor Dr. Jamilur Reza Choudhury, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Asia Pacific, in his welcome speech of the seminar, has mentioned research which shows that the per square feet rent of the slums, where the laborers live in Kamrangi char, is higher than that of flats in the cities.

Deputy Director of the Department of Labor (DOL) of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, Mr. Abu Ashrif Mahmud has given detailed information about the functioning of the DOL.

According to him out of 354 sections of the Labor Act 2006 only 56 are implemented by the Department of Labor while there are other five institutions working for implementation. Lack of manpower particularly, and resources in general, is a challenge to the department for the works. Most importantly the Department has no authority over inspection; it works for conciliation only. For this, it has to rely solely on another department for any prompt action to be taken.

Mr. Dylan Tromp, CSR Specialist of UNICEF spoke as a panel speaker.

There were several representatives from the Canadian Embassy and faculty members, researchers from different universities and organizations.

The Seminar ended with the vote of thanks given by Professor Dr. MR Kabir, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University of Asia Pacific.

 

UAP Students attend TIJ Youth Forum on Rule of Law and Justice in Thailand

  • 4 – 5 June 2015

 

 

 

Thailand Institute of Justice co-organized "AsianSIL Inter-sessional Regional Conference 2015" with the Ministry of Justice, Thailand and Asian Society of International Law with the theme "The Rule of Law and Development Nexus: A New Deal for Asia? on 4 – 5 June 2015. The Rule of Law and Development Nexus: A New Deal for Asia? the conference aims to support Thailand's continuous effort to mainstream the rule of law, justice, and security in the Post 2015 Development Agenda, to expand the Asia and Pacific regional network of law professionals, and bring together the United Nations into the AsianSIL network to discuss rule of law and sustainable development with an emphasis on the 2015 integration of the ASEAN Nations to the "ASEAN Community"

Her Royal Highness Princess Bajrakitiyabha Mahidol, Chair of the Special Advisory Board to the Thailand Institute of Justice, gave a keynote speech at the opening ceremony. TIJ Youth Forum -- a forum TIJ organized concurrently to provide the opportunity for 60 university students in Asia to share opinions and discuss their roles in the issues of the rule of law, public policy, justice, and development at the global level as well as to build among them network of young leaders within the region-- also participated in this meeting. Five students of the Department of Law and Human Rights (L&HR) of the University of Asia Pacific (UAP) have been selected amongst all the private and public universities of Bangladesh.

On the final day of the conference, few policies have been proposed to establish sustainable development through the principle of rule of law and the students of L&HR of the UAP has proposed an idea to create public awareness in the same way that they are working in the name of Social Awareness Club, Department of Law and Human Rights, UAP. They recognize UAP as a model and create some chapters in different Universities. As a Co-ordinator of Youth for Human Rights International, University of Asia Pacific Chapter Mr. Abdullah Al Noman, Lecturer, Department of Law and Human Rights, the University of Asia Pacific through his direct assistance, the participation of the students of UAP has insured very promptly.

 

 

A View Exchange meeting on "Resisting Stalking and Sexual Harassment"

  • 10 May 2015

 

A View Exchange Meeting to raise awareness among students and teachers about resisting stalking and sexual harassment was held on 10 May 2015 at the Seminar Room of the Department of Business Administration (DBA) of the University of Asia Pacific (UAP). Through the initiative of the Central Legal Aid Sub- Committee of Bangladesh, Mahila Parishad and the Department of Law and Human Rights (L&HR) of UAP have jointly organized the program.

The program was chaired by Dr. A.N.M. Atahar Ali, Head, L&HR Department while Advocate Masuda Rehana Begum, Assistant General Secretary, Advocate Afifa Begum Shapna, Secretary, Acting Legal Aid, Advocate Maksuda Akhter, Director Advocacy & Lobby (Legal Aid), Advocate Dipti Rani Shikdar, Senior Lawyer, Advocate Ram Lal Raha, Senior Lawyer, Central Legal Aid Unit, Bangladesh Mahila Parishad, Lecturer Md. Soyebur Rahman and Md. Saleh Akram of the L&HR Department and some students also expressed their views. Among others, members of Faculty and students were present in the program. The meeting was coordinated by Lecturer Md. Saleh Akram of the Department.

 

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UAP L&HR Dept. felicitates Supreme and Judge Court Lawyers

  • May 02, 2015

 

The Department of Law and Human Rights (L&HR)of the University of Asia Pacific (UAP) felicitated its former students who were enrolled at Supreme and Judge court lawyers in Bangladesh on Saturday, May 02, 2015. The program celebrated the brilliant success of students who obtained the Advocateship license from the Bangladesh Bar council. UAP L&HR Department organized the program at its New City campus where Vice Chancellor Professor Dr. Jamilur Reza Choudhury and Pro-VC Professor Dr. M. R. Kabir addressed the program as Chief and Special Guest respectively.

Addressing the function, VC Prof. Jamilur Reza Choudhury asked the former students to form a strong Alumni association in order to keep communication with the University.

"Now you are at the initial stage of your profession, so this is not good enough, you should go abroad for higher studies and then return to your country" VC said. Pro-VC Professor Dr. M. R. Kabir advised the students to join the UAP Law Association and enhance the brand image of UAP. A total of 39 lawyers were felicitated in the program while department Head Dr. A.N.M Atahar Ali was in the chair.

 

US Lawyer attends a Seminar on "University Experiencing Sharing Session" of UAP L&HR dept.

  • March 08, 2015

 

Amy Beckstead, an Attorney of California, United States of America (USA) attended a seminar on the "University Experiencing Sharing Session" at the Law & Human Rights Department (L&HR) of University of Asia Pacific (UAP) on Sunday, March 08, 2015. Celebrating International Women's Day, USAID's Justice for All Program organized the session in association with the National Center for State Courts (NCSC). At the outset, Dr. A. N. M. Atahar Ali, Head of the L&HR department, and Sharmeen Farouk, Deputy chief of parties, USAID's Justice for All Program, addressed and presented the objectives of the program. In her short discussion, Amy Beckstead described all difficulties of her life to become a successful women lawyer. She also inspired students to be a lawyer.

"Lawyers need to work in different ways. I was facing numerous problems during my law practicing in every site. She also compared some aspects of Bangladesh and the USA. In the USA, We have an occupational right which is very positive to ensure women's safety," she added. She asked the lawyer students to maintain personal relationships throughout the career. Among others, faculties, representatives of USAID-Bangladesh, students of UAP and Dhaka University also participated in the program. The program included Registration, welcome speech, objectives of the session, open hour discussion, summing up and vote of thanks, and a group photograph.

Mentionable, Amy Beckstead has been working with a group of 400 lawyers in the USA.