Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission Kamal Uddin Ahmed on Wednesday said recent incidents of moral degradation in educational institutions are very unfortunate.

"The occurrence of sexual harassment and other unpleasant incidents in some of the leading universities of the country is alarming. It is imperative for us to keep students away from morally corrupt teachers and to create social movements against them," he said.

Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission spoke about these issues at the Annual Sports and Cultural Awards Ceremony and Cultural Event at Ahmed Bawani Academy School and College in Dhaka.

He further emphasised the importance of creating a healthy and conducive educational environment and culture in educational institutions.

Saying education as a human right, he said that every person has the right to education. Ensuring the right to education from primary to higher education can promote human rights.

"The constitution of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, enacted under the leadership of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, has ensured the educational rights. Education means not only academic education but also the development of morality, values, and skills are crucial," he said.

Dr. Kamal Uddin Ahmed urged everyone to strengthen efforts to ensure education for disadvantaged children.

He noted that individuals lacking awareness of human rights are not morally conscious.

“The ruthless acts by Israel in Gaza have deeply shocked us. Countries supporting these ruthless atrocities and causing humanitarian crises need to be condemned strongly.”

He strongly criticised those involved in unethical business practices for their role in increasing commodity prices.

He said, "Unethical businesses are created when moral education is lacking in educational institutions. Businessmen and vested interest groups who manipulate the market to create artificial crisis must be condemned socially.”

He also urged all to be vigilant against unethical businessmen.

Emphasising the need to protect children from violence and all forms of abuse, Dr. Kamal Uddin Ahmed said educational institutions can play the most crucial role in safeguarding children's rights and empowering children and ensuring human rights.

Due to various socio-economic and cultural reasons, children who are deprived of the right to education need special attention, he said.