President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Sunday asked the national human rights commission to incorporate the influential personalities and opinion leaders in the process of establishing human rights.

This effort of incorporating the influential personalities and opinion leaders like Imam, religious leaders, teachers and leeaders of different professionals will increase the human rights situation in Bangladesh in the large scale,  he said.

The president made the statement while delivering his speech at the programme  of observing the International Human Rights Day at the Hotel Intercontinental in the capital.

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The programme hosted by National Human Rights Commission( NHRC) was held with the theme of 'freedom, equity and justice for all'.

Pointing out that the scope  of work of NHRC is wide across the country, the President said that since its inception, the commission has been making efforts to preserve, develop and ensure human rights. One of the main steps in creating and establishing a human rights culture is to create awareness about human rights issues.

"Increase in human rights awareness will pave the way for victims of human rights violations to seek redress," he said.

He also directed the commission to elevate the people's involvement in all activities of mutual dialogue, meetings, seminars, workshops, education and promotion of co-operation in the protection of human rights.

In order to develop  the human rights culture in Bangladesh, he said the commission should take necessary initiatives to increase research and publication, increase round-the-clock monitoring of human rights violations, create awareness on human rights issues and conduct advocacy activities.

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Urging to ensure the presence of the National Human Rights Commission wherever human rights violations occur in the country, the president said the commission  should stand by the oppressed and continue all efforts to punish the oppressors and become a symbol of trust and confidence to the exploited and oppressed.

The president specifically requested the international community to ensure a permanent solution to all kinds of conflicts and stand by the persecuted and oppressed people, noting that all problems can be solved through dialogue, not war.

"But sadly, it is true that the prevailing global human rights situation would distress any sane person. Thousands of people are dying every day in various ways, including wars, ethnic and sectarian riots, epidemics and natural disasters, thousands are being killed in Gaza, millions of peoples’  human rights are being violated,” he said.

Criticising the silence of the world in this issue, he said many powerful countries are playing the role of silent spectators. Many countries and organisations are indulging in double standards in the name of human rights, he said.

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Pointing out that the issue of human rights should be considered universal and equal for all and no discrimination or partiality should be done, the president said, "I hope that wherever human rights are violated in the world, all countries, human rights organisations and human rights activists will raise their voices in protest regardless of party, religion and caste." .

Law, Justice and Parliamentary  Affairs Minister  Anisul Haque and full-time member of National Human Rights Commission Salim Reza spoke in the programme while secretary of Law and Justice Department Golam Sarwar and Secretary of Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Department Mr. Md. Moinul Kabir were also present.

Chairman of the NHRC Kamal Uddin Ahmed presided over the programme.