The School of Law at Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) held a public lecture titled “The July ‘Uprising’ in Legal Thoughts” to mark the anniversary of the historic July Uprising, bringing together students, academics and legal scholars for a discussion on the movement’s relevance to contemporary legal thought.

Prof Mohammad Shahabuddin, International Law and Human Rights at the University of Birmingham, UK, delivered the keynote address. He examined the legal and historical significance of the July Uprising and its impact on constitutional development, state responsibility, and the evolution of human rights in post-colonial contexts, read a press release.

Shahabuddin underscored the enduring relevance of historical political struggles in shaping legal principles across different nations.

Chief Guest Prof SMA Faiz, chairman of the University Grants Commission of Bangladesh (UGC), called on students to view history as a source of legal insight and moral orientation, read the release.

Didar A Husain, chairman of the IUB Board of Trustees, spoke on the importance of linking historical struggles to present-day legal challenges. 

The session was chaired by Prof M Tamim, IUB Vice Chancellor, who stressed the responsibility of academic institutions to preserve and interpret moments of national significance. 

The programme concluded with closing remarks and a vote of thanks by Borhan Uddin Khan, Advisor and Adjunct Faculty at the School of Law, who highlighted the importance of revisiting historical moments to enrich legal reasoning and inspire future generations, according to the release.

At the start of the event, welcome remarks were delivered by Prof Mohammad Nazmuzzaman Bhuiyan, Dean of the School of Law. 

A Q&A session followed the keynote, during which students and faculty engaged with Prof Shahabuddin on a range of legal and philosophical issues.