Washington, DC (BBN) – Adilur Rahman Khan, a leading human rights lawyer from Bangladesh, has been selected as the honoree for the 2014 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award, now in its 31st year.
“The award recognizes his courageous work uncovering the most serious human rights violations in Bangladesh and initiates a partnership to support his efforts to promote and safeguard human rights,” the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights, generally known as RFK Center, said in a statement.
"From exposing the government's role in enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings to successfully campaigning for Bangladesh's first law against torture, Adil has courageously fought to protect human rights, even in the face of grave personal danger," said Kerry Kennedy, President of the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights. "We are inspired and humbled by his work protecting peace and dignity in his own nation and abroad, and we are proud to honor him with the 2014 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award."
Mr. Khan is a tireless human rights defender and attorney who has been an activist for decades and established a nationwide network of human rights defenders in Bangladesh, according to the RFK Center.
Mrs. Robert F. Kennedy will present Mr. Khan with the 2014 Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Award in Washington, D.C., in a ceremony in November. He joins 45 RFK Human Rights Award Laureates from 27 countries as the recipient of the 31st annual prize, initiating a multi-year partnership with the RFK Center.
As the Secretary of Odhikar, a human rights organization in Bangladesh, Mr. Khan leads one of the most trusted watchdog organizations in the country, monitoring an impressive scope of issues such as restrictions on freedom of expression, abuse by security forces, enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, torture, border killings, violence against women, and elections, the RFK Center said.
He was selected from a group of 70 nominees after a months-long process by a prestigious panel of judges: Dean Claudio Grossman, Professor of Law and Dean of American University, Washington College of Law; Ms. Maria Otero, former Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights; Dr. William Schulz, President and CEO of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee.
“I thank the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights for honoring me with this prestigious award," said Adilur. "This award is an acknowledgement of the tireless work of human rights defenders presently at risk. The people of Bangladesh joined the liberation struggle in 1971 to establish a democratic country, based on equality, human dignity and social justice. Their dreams remain unfulfilled, as they now face extra judicial killings, enforced disappearances and torture and ill treatment in custody. Human rights defenders are persecuted and the freedoms of media and association are curtailed. This award will contribute to highlight these violations in my country; and will encourage and empower the human rights defenders and victim families associated with Odhikar to continue the struggle for human rights, social justice and democracy.”
BBN/SSR/AD-04July14-11:45 am (BST)
