DHAKA,  – President M Abdul Hamid today called upon guardians to remain alert so that the teenaged students do not fall prey to human trafficking by stepping into the trap of teen gangs, TikTalk or Likee.

“I urge parents to be vigilant so that soft-hearted learners don’t fall prey to human trafficking and any other criminal activities through teen gangs, TikTalk or Likee,” the President in his recorded speech told a function here.

He added “Horrors of human trafficking and drug abuse are creating chaos in the society . . . Many families are being destroyed due to it and we have to keep the young generation away from it.”

The ‘National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)’ organised the discussion at the auditorium of Krishibid Institution, Bangladesh, here, marking the ‘Human Rights Day-2021′.

Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Anisul Haque, Secretary to the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Department Md. Moinul Kabir, Resident Representative of UN Development Program Sudipta Mukherjee and Permanent Member of National Human Rights Commission Dr. Kamal Uddin Ahmed also spoke on the occasion.

The head of the state asked all concerned, especially the members of law enforcement agencies, to come forward to maintain a peaceful environment in the society.

“Public awareness campaign is a must to control drug abuse, human trafficking and pornography . . . Creating mass awareness, strong family ties, building social resistance and strict monitoring of the administration can play an important role in curbing this crime trend,” he added.

On overall women development countrywide, President Abdul Hamid said Bangladesh is recognized as a role model for women empowerment in the world and women, simultaneously, men must play equal significant role against women violence.

He emphasized the importance of human values in education, saying, “We should be especially aware of developing human values in all spheres of family, society and institution.”

The President said many states, including Myanmar, Afghanistan, Palestine and Syria, are facing humanitarian crisis and all world countries must work together to resolve these crises or violations of the human rights.

He also urged the rights activists to take special care so that human rights are not violated any way.

In the context of the COVID-19, Abdul Hamid said, “The deadly Coronavirus pandemic has multiplied the humanitarian catastrophe worldwide. We are seeing an increase in vaccine inequality between rich and poor countries but this inequality needs to be addressed on an urgent basis in the greater interest of humanity.”

The President said human rights must be upheld with ensuring the vaccines available at a fair and affordable price for all and there is no alternative to ensure vaccination for all to save the world from the fatal pandemic.

“Besides, the COVID-19 pandemic has also severely affected countries, also facing the problems due to the existing climate change,” Abdul Hamid added.

The developed world, along with humanity, will stand by the countries affected by climate change, he hoped.

Noting that the Rohingyas are the worst victims of human rights violations’, the President said about 11 lakhs Rohingya Muslims, victims of horrific torture in their Rakhine state homeland in neighbouring Myanmar, have taken shelter in Bangladesh.

The President called upon the international community to take concerted action to protect the human rights of the Rohingyas as well as their dignified and permanent repatriation.

Terming the NHRC as a major body in the development and protection of human rights of people of the country, he suggested the commission to ensure more visible contribution to the protection of the people’s rights.

President Abdul Hamid also called upon the commission to intensify its overall activities from the grassroots level to the central so that the people could be more aware of their rights and receive the necessary assistance from the NHRC.

“The NHRC should play an active role in protecting the rights of women, children, persons with disabilities, transgender people, backward minorities and other victims.” the President said.

He expressed the hope that the National Human Rights Commission would serve as a source of confidence for victims of human rights abuses.