In an era where human rights are increasingly used as diplomatic currency or campaign buzzwords, it is rare to find a political leader who effectively utilises state power to protect, promote and institutionalise human rights. Yet, that is precisely what the present Chief Advisor (CA) of Bangladesh, Prof. Dr Md Yunus, appeared to be doing in his 26 March 2025 address to the nation— a speech that, though wrapped in patriotic celebration, unfolded as an extraordinary commitment to human rights-based governance. This was not just an Independence Day message; it was a roadmap for a new kind of freedom— freedom from structural injustice, systemic discrimination, economic violence and the silence that follows state-sponsored trauma.

At the heart of Dr Yunus’ address was a powerful recognition of the right to truth, a principle enshrined in international human rights law for societies recovering from political violence. His direct reference to the United Nations Human Rights Office report detailing the massacre of over 1,400 protestors, including women and children, in July 2023 and his commitment to hold those responsible accountable are a landmark moment in Bangladeshi history. In a region where political crimes often fade into public amnesia or are obscured by legal delays, his pledge to pursue justice for the victims reflects the right to remedy and reparation (UN Basic Principles, 2005). More than just naming the atrocities, Prof. Yunus framed the struggle of the July protestors, especially the “July girls”, within the legacy of Bangladesh’s Liberation War. By doing so, he effectively linked past and present struggles for freedom, and positioned justice not as an act of vengeance but as a moral and legal imperative.

One of the most striking features of the speech was its direct confrontation with the erosion of civil and political rights under the previous regime. The withdrawal of thousands of fabricated political cases, the planned repeal of the oppressive Cyber Security Act, and the introduction of a more democratic legal framework for digital expression all speak to the government’s commitment to restoring freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and freedom from arbitrary arrest—all central to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) to which Bangladesh is a party. By cancelling the police verification requirement for passports, Prof. Yunus eliminated a procedural bottleneck that often served as a gatekeeping tool to control mobility and punish dissenters. Introducing digital platforms for filing General Diaries (GDs) and accessing land records reflects a broader philosophy: human rights begin when citizens can access public services without fear of bribery or humiliation.

Chief Advisor

Where past leaders often conflated GDP growth with national progress, Prof. Yunus emphasised economic dignity. His reforms in the banking sector, regulation of commodity prices during Ramadan, and crackdown on money laundering reflect a commitment to economic justice and the right to an adequate standard of living (ICESCR, Article 11). His language referring to depositors as victims and remittance senders as “warriors” does not just dignify economic actors; it redefines them as rights-holders. The proposed restructuring of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) is especially significant. Tax justice is a fundamental yet often overlooked human rights issue, particularly in developing countries, where tax evasion by elites deprives the state of resources to provide basic services. By targeting revenue loopholes and pledging transparency, the chief advisor aligns with the right to development, emphasising distributive fairness.

Perhaps the most profound section of Dr Yunus’ speech was his open acknowledgment of gendered resistance in the July Uprising. He not only honoured women as leaders in the struggle for democratic reform but also linked this struggle to broader structural reforms. Hotline numbers staffed by female call takers, amendments to the Prevention of Violence against Women and Children Act, and fast-track DNA testing facilities mark a radical shift from symbolic recognition to institutional change. His call for social movement against everyday misogyny and gender discrimination goes beyond policy; it calls for a cultural transformation. This reflects a deep understanding that human rights are indivisible and legal reforms must be supported by social action. His emphasis on community responsibility, from families to religious institutions, mirrors a multi-level approach to gender equality aligned with Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) obligations.

He also acknowledged the historical marginalisation of ethnic minorities and plainland indigenous communities, calling for the protection of their civil rights. This rare public recognition affirms the right to cultural identity and participation, a core principle enshrined in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). His joint appearance with the UN Secretary-General at Rohingya camps and the push for a separate UN General Assembly session on the Rohingya crisis reveals an outward-facing commitment to international human rights obligations. His support for Malaysia’s mediation role further reinforces a cooperative approach, positioning Bangladesh not just as a host country but as an advocate for refugee protection, dignity and durable solutions.

Dr Yunus’ partnership with Elon Musk’s Starlink to bring high-speed internet to even the most remote corners of Bangladesh is more than a tech headline; it is a digital rights breakthrough. In an era where authoritarian regimes weaponise internet shutdowns, Prof. Yunus’ vision of the Internet as an essential utility reflects the right to access information, education, health care and public participation. His government’s emphasis on e-services, from passports to land records, also signals a transition from bureaucratic gatekeeping to transparent service delivery, echoing the UN’s digital inclusion agenda. The connection between internet access and democratic resilience is often overlooked. He seems to understand that you cannot silence a nation connected to the world; and thus he is working to ensure every Bangladeshi, regardless of geography, becomes a participant in the global digital commons.

In introducing the Youth Entrepreneurship Policy 2025, the chief advisor recognised youth not as passive beneficiaries of development, but as active agents of social and economic change. His nationwide youth festivals, celebrating sports, culture, and entrepreneurship, are framed not as entertainment but as platforms for civic engagement. With participation from underprivileged regions and 21 ethnic groups, the initiative embodies the principles of inclusion, non-discrimination and equal opportunity— key tenets of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This policy effectively transforms citizenship from a legal status to a lived experience. Young people in villages and cities alike are being asked not just to follow the state, but to co-create it.

Dr. Yunus’ speech marks a decisive turn towards rights-based governance in Bangladesh. By addressing past violations and charting a people-centred path forward, he is not only implementing reforms but also shifting the moral framework of the state. He is weaving human rights into the national consciousness, linking truth to justice, services to dignity and digital tools to liberation. For too long, human rights in Bangladesh have been framed as external demands or elite discourse. Prof. Yunus brings them home— to the voter, the mother, the migrant, the student and the farmer. In doing so, he transforms the abstract into the tangible, the global into the local and the constitutional into the everyday. Bangladesh may still be battling corruption, inequality and political instability, but in Dr. Yunus, we see something rare: a public leader who not only invokes human rights but embodies them in action.

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The writer is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Philosophy at IUBAT and pursuing a Masters in Human Rights and Multiculturalism at University of South Eastern Norway