From protest to policy – Human Rights, justice and the challenges of democratisation and reconciliation In Bangladesh

July 2025 marks one year since the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s fifteen-year regime, a period widely scrutinised for systemic rights violations and institutional fragility. The regime ultimately collapsed under the weight of civic mobilisation, popular resistance, and mounting international condemnation. According to the United Nations Human Rights Council’s February 2025 report, the state-led violence of July and August 2024 resulted in significant civilian casualties, and raised urgent concerns regarding unlawful killings, arbitrary detentions, and restrictions on humanitarian access.

This event offers a space to reflect on Bangladesh’s evolving democratic aspirations drawing on a broad spectrum of insights and lived experiences, including those of human rights practitioners, defenders, political activists, and others engaged in social justice and democratic advocacy. As the country navigates a period of institutional transition, the event centres public memory, transitional justice, and participatory dialogue. Panel discussions will explore the structural challenges and possibilities for democratic renewal and inclusive governance. By foregrounding diverse voices, the event seeks not only to foster public engagement but also to enrich academic conversations on political transformation, justice, and social inclusion.

Image - Bangladesh movement and humanity illustration by MDRafiqul via Adobe Stock.

Agenda

2:30 PM: Welcome and introduction
2:45 PM: Panel discussion and Q&A
4:15 PM: Afternoon tea

Speakers

Huma Khan is the Senior Human Rights Adviser for the UN Resident Coordinator's Office in Bangladesh. She plays a key role in advising the UN Resident Coordinator and the UN Country Team on human rights matters within Bangladesh.

Dr Shamaruh Mirza is the recipient of several awards in Australia for her advocacy for social cohesion, gender equity, and intercultural dialogue. She is the founder of SiTara’s Story, a platform amplifying the voices of women and marginalised communities, and Diaspora Alliance for Democracy, which mobilises transnational networks for democratic reforms.

Dr Faham Abdus Salam is human rights advocate in Bangladesh. He has been actively involved in promoting freedom of expression, justice, and democratic values, particularly during periods of repression under authoritarian regimes.

Dr M Ehteshamul Bari is a Senior Lecturer in Law and the Deputy Head (Research) of the Thomas More Law School at the Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia. As an internationally recognised scholar in the fields of constitutional law, human rights, Asian law and public international law, Dr Bari’s expertise has been sought by various international bodies, including by the Chair-Rapporteur of the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances.

Chair

Dr. Mubashar Hasan is an adjunct researcher at the Humanitarian and Development Research Initiative (HADRI), Western Sydney University. He is the author of the book Islam and Politics in Bangladesh (Palgrave 2020) and co-edited the book Mask of Authoritarianism in Bangladesh (Palgrave 2022). His forthcoming edited book titled The Long Reach of the Strong Arm: Evolving Forms of Transnational Authoritarianism is set to be published by Palgrave US open access.

This event is organised by the ANU South Asia Research Institute (SARI) in collaboration with the Diaspora Alliance for Democracy (DAD).