Organised by: Action and Light
In collaboration with: Manabadhikar Shongskriti Foundation (MSF)
Supported by: National Endowment for Democracy (NED), USA
Date: 8 November 2026
Time: 10:30 AM – 12:45 PM
Venue: Chhamir Conference Room, Joypurhat

Overview

The monthly meeting of the Joypurhat District Human Rights Defenders Network was held under the Defending Human Rights Group Network Strengthening (DHRNS) project. Network members, local government representatives, government officials and civil society representatives attended.

Opening and Welcome

The session was moderated by Abraham Abhin Das, Organiser, Action and Light. Dr. Sazzadul Bari, Executive Director of Action and Light, delivered the welcome address and presented an overview of the district’s recent human rights situation.

Open Discussion: Voices from the Field

Members raised a range of grassroots concerns and suggestions.

• Likhon Roy highlighted acute land-related problems, drug addiction and lack of access to education among non-Bengali communities.
• Parvin Akter drew attention to the risks of women trafficking, drug smuggling and human trafficking in Joypurhat as a border district.
• Jannatul Ferdous and Amzad Hossain put forward specific proposals for working in coordination with local government and called for stronger internal communication among members.
• Minhaj said human rights defenders do not need separate identity cards and proposed that the network’s member list be submitted to the local administration.
• Mahmudul Karim stressed that the network must remain alert around the clock. Because rural people have limited access to services, he said, rights awareness must be strengthened.
• Syed Rokeya said the network’s work and objectives need to be communicated more clearly to the public.
• Nowshad and Rana Mondal said the tendency to conceal rights violations must be overcome.

Remarks by Guests

• Shahid Mahfuz, Human Rights Monitoring Officer, MSF, spoke on the role of human rights defenders in fact-finding.
• Advocate Sofia Haseen, Project Coordinator, MSF (Keynote Speaker), discussed the national human rights situation, the goals and objectives of the project, and the responsibilities of district members.
• Rajib Ahmed, Upazila Social Services Officer, Sadar (Special Guest), spoke on the basic concepts of human rights and the role of citizens.
• Md. Rafiqul Islam, Senior Upazila Fisheries Officer, Sadar (Chief Guest), spoke about government initiatives, the use of government web portals and the importance of verifying information. He assured the network of the Upazila administration’s cooperation.
• 
   

Closing

Chairperson A. R. Asaduzzaman Raju thanked all participants and called on everyone to respect self-rights and individual rights before declaring the meeting closed. Participants then shared lunch together.

Key Recommendations

1. Pay focused attention to land, education and drug-related problems in non-Bengali communities.
2. Remain vigilant against trafficking and smuggling in border areas.
3. Strengthen coordination with local government and improve communication among network members.
4. Submit the network’s member list to the local administration.
5. Expand rights awareness and access to services among rural communities.

6. Encourage victims of rights violations to speak out rather than remain silent.