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including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).

The forum emphasised that any effort to eliminate gender-based inequality must include equal participation and consideration of both women and men.

HRFB expressed concern that certain political and ideological groups have revived hostile rhetoric following the submission of the commission’s report, echoing previous attempts to obstruct women’s rights and freedoms.

These actions, HRFB argued, not only harm women but also impede the nation’s overall development.

The forum called on the government to clarify its stance and take a firm position on these matters.

HRFB further urged all democratic and equality-driven political forces in Bangladesh to unite against these regressive demands and to resist any attempts to exploit religion for narrow political purposes.

The statement was endorsed by 23 prominent human rights activists and organisational leaders, including Dr Hameeda Hossain, human rights expert and HRFB member; Adv Sultana Kamal, human rights expert and HRFB member; Raja Devasish Roy, chief of Chakma Circle and human rights expert; Adv ZI Khan Panna, chairperson of Ain o Salish Kendra and acting convener of HRFB; Shaheen Anam, executive director of Manusher Jonno Foundation and HRFB Steering Committee member; Zakir Hossain, chief executive of Nagorik Uddyog and HRFB Steering Committee member; Sara Hossain, honorary executive director of Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust and HRFB Steering Committee member; Ranjan Karmakar, executive director of Steps Towards Development and HRFB Steering Committee member; Shale Ahmed, executive director of Bandhu Social Welfare Society and HRFB Steering Committee member; Sanjeeb Drong, general secretary of Bangladesh Adivasi Forum and HRFB Steering Committee member; Dr Iftekharuzzaman, executive director of Transparency International Bangladesh and HRFB member; Dr Fauzia Moslem, president of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad and HRFB member; Shamsul Huda, executive director of Association for Land Reform and Development and HRFB member; Khushi Kabir, coordinator of Nijera Kori and HRFB member; Sarder Jahangir Hossain, executive director of Acid Survivors Foundation and HRFB member; Shipon Kumar Robidas, general secretary of Bangladesh Dalit and Excluded Rights Movement and HRFB member; Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmed, executive director of Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies and HRFB member; Dewan Akhtaruzzaman, director of FAIR and HRFB member; Pallab Chakma, executive director of Kapaeeng Foundation and HRFB member; Rokeya Rafique, executive director of Karmojibi Nari and HRFB member; Geeta Das, president of Naripokkho and HRFB member; Abdus Sattar Dulal, founder and CEO of Bangladesh Protibandhi Kallyan Somity and HRFB member; and Ashrafun Nahar Misti, executive director of Women with Disabilities Development Foundation and HRFB member.