By Myeen Ud-Deen Araf
Convener, SAD, CU
Introduction: What Are Civil Rights?
At the most basic level, civil rights mean the legal protections guaranteed to the citizens of a state. They include the protection of life and property, security of livelihood, safeguarding of fundamental rights, and the assurance of personal and social justice.
In essence, civil rights ensure that no citizen faces discrimination, that everyone has equal opportunity, and that all enjoy access to social justice.
Civil Rights and the State
To secure these rights, modern states have established constitutions and legislative assemblies, where lawmakers create laws aimed at protecting citizens.
In many countries, the legislature and the executive function separately, reflecting a proper separation of powers. In Bangladesh, however, members of the legislature often serve simultaneously in the executive, weakening this separation. On paper, the two branches are distinct. In practice, the balance of power is blurred.
And who operates these branches? It is ultimately political parties and politicians.
The Core Duty of Political Leaders
If politicians are the ones running the state, then their first and foremost duty should be to protect the political and civil rights of the people.
Without this, every other claim of development or economic progress ultimately becomes a tool of exploitation.
The Hasina Era: Development Without Rights
This is exactly what we witnessed under the rule of Sheikh Hasina. Citizens were denied their right to vote. Justice was inaccessible. Enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings became routine methods of silencing opposition voices.
In such a climate, the people repeatedly rose to reclaim their civil rights. The most recent and powerful example was the July Uprising.
Meanwhile, the Hasina government spent lavishly on commemorating family birthdays and anniversaries, hosting feasts and festivals, and using public money for political image-building. But the people did not accept this, because at the end of the day, they had no civil rights.
Beyond Welfare Politics: Rights, Not Charity
What about welfare politics and the idea of a welfare state?
In my view, the state is not meant to do charity. The state’s fundamental responsibility is to return to the people what rightfully belongs to them. Taxes are collected from citizens, and in return, the state is obligated to guarantee their rights and entitlements.
The Bridge Between People and the State
The state is invisible in itself. Citizens experience the state through the government, which serves as the bridge between people and authority.
And governments are run by politicians, elected by the people through their votes.
Therefore, the central duty of political leaders is to safeguard and deliver civil rights. Without that, governance becomes hollow.
Conclusion: The Future of Civil Rights in Bangladesh
In the future, only those political parties and leaders who can convincingly pledge to guarantee the civil rights of citizens will be trusted with power.
Ideology may shape their rhetoric. But without a commitment to restoring civil rights, no amount of promises or development talk will hold weight in Bangladesh’s democratic struggle.
