Food, shelter, and the protection of the law are considered basic human rights in today’s world. It may be hard to imagine that even a hundred years ago, these basic needs were not something the world considered to be fundamental rights.

In the previous centuries, widespread propaganda, politics, and dogmatic practices throughout the world would justify discrimination, racism and even slavery. However, after World War II, the United Nations decided upon 30 fundamental rights that are inalienable for all citizens around the world, and declared that not ensuring these rights will be in violation of the inherent essence of a free human being.

10 December marks the anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948. The UDHR encompasses 30 articles that codify fundamental rights and freedoms and not entitling any citizen of these rights is considered not to ensure their rights as humans. Therefore, on this day it is our prerogative to understand what these are, and if as a citizen of Bangladesh we are able to exercise those rights.

The articles ensuring human dignity

According to UDHR, the fundamental rights are grouped into three categories; Civil and Political Rights, the other is Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and another set of articles is referred to as Universal Principles.

Among these categories, the Universal Principles are the most obvious ones. It reaffirms the fact that all human beings are born free, and everyone is entitled to their race, religion, sex, language, and origin without any exception.

Civil and Political rights may be the main area of concern for people living in Bangladesh today. The basis of this category is freedom of speech, religious, assembly and the right to a fair and public trial all of which must be recognised in the code of law for each state or nation.

In Bangladesh’s case, we share a very poor record when it comes to ensuring these fundamental rights. Our society is pluralistic, encompassing various ideas but we are often not sympathetic to the rights of others’ speech. The politicians exploit this rift very well and exacerbate it to the point that some citizens do not actually believe that others or their opponents are entitled to any of these rights. According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Bangladesh ranked 149th among 180 countries in terms of ensuring press freedom and freedom of speech which is nothing to be proud of. Another organisation ARTICLE 19, expressed that Bangladesh’s situation for free expression remains “in crisis.” In its 2024 report, Bangladesh ranked 128th out of 161 countries globally, scoring only 12/100. This places Bangladesh among the worst-performing countries in South Asia.

We are also significantly lagging behind on Economic and Social rights. These rights comprise the right to an adequate living standard, social safety nets, education and healthcare. Although our GDP has increased in recent years, the growth is not felt by the majority of the population. Inflation is still a concern, and the rights to education and quality of healthcare in Bangladesh are yet to reach the most vulnerable. Workers’ safety in the industrial zones and their unionisation practices are also inadequate.

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) notes that only around 28% of the population receives any form of social protection. Leakages, weak targeting, and corruption reduce effectiveness while many urban poor, informal workers, and climate-displaced people remain unprotected. According to ILO assessments, trade-union rights are heavily restricted. Many workers, especially in the informal sector (≈85% of workforce), have no job security or benefits.

These statistics all bear a continuous history of mismanagement and improper policymaking. The political establishment in Bangladesh often ignores shortcomings and sometimes outright denies the existence of some rights in order to cater to the fringes. These factors led to Bangladesh scoring so low in ensuring fundamental human rights resulting in its citizens not enjoying a quality of life much prevalent to the outside world today.