Bangladeshi lawyer Sara Hossain has addressed the backlash that followed the submission of the Women’s Affairs Reform Commission. The recommendation, which had been handed over on April 19 to the interim government, included legal recognition for sex and domestic workers, equality in inheritance rights, and strengthened laws standing against sexual harassment. The proposals have since received prompt backlash from the Hefazat-e-Islam group.
The Hefazat’s disagreement over the relevant proposals was seen to have triggered a mass rally on June 3 and threw abusive comments aimed at commission members.
Speaking to The Business Standard, the barrister and human rights activist described the writ filed against the Women’s Reform Commission as “frivolous and vexatious”, and suggested that criticisms can be submitted to the commission or government instead.
Hossain further addressed the approach taken by the Hefazat group, accepting the idea of public discussion but observing the lack of regard for the law by “inciting violence” and appearing hostile to women countrywide.
Despite apologetic sentiments being issued by the Hefezat group regarding the aggressive language used, their stance on the remains firm.
Hossain described the accumulation of issues at the Supreme Court causing delays in the serving of rightful justice and questioned the merits of indulging time and effort on a matter of such consequence.
Reflecting on the implications of the backlash, she also stated that the commission report seeks to “generate discussion by the public, political actors, and relevant government agencies.” and that discussion of ideas should be welcomed and not silenced.
Having been a frontline advocate of Bangladeshi women’s rights, Sara Hossain has played vital roles in legal reform drafting that focused on the protection of women. Hailing from a family with a significant background in politics and advocacy—her father being a statesman and her mother also a human rights advocate—Sara Hossain has established herself as a barrister in the Supreme Court of Bangladesh. She also holds the title of honorary executive director at a key producer of legal aid, Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST), and is a partner in Dr. Kamal Hossain and Associates law firm.
Having been involved in public interest litigation, she has led counsel on various issues such as discrimination directed towards the female sex, children’s rights, discrimination based on disability, and several other perspectives, representing various activists and major rights organisations in Bangladesh.
Hossain received the International Women of Courage Award in 2016, awarded by John Kerry, the then-US Secretary of State, in recognition of her commitment to giving a voice to the female population in Bangladesh.
Currently working as a professor of practice at the University of London, the lawyer has authored several publications regarding legal aid, constitutional rights, and access to justice. Serving on multiple national as well as international boards, such as Bangladesh’s IID and DNET and South Asians for Human Rights, she was appointed by the UN Human Rights Council President in 2022 to serve as the Chair of the Fact-Finding Mission on Iran that sought to uncover violence inflicted against women during the backdrop of the Iran protests that took place that same year. She also previously served on a three-person commission in 2018 to investigate the killing of 140 Palestinians by the Israeli army along with American lawyers David Crane and Kaari Betty Murungi, further adding to the significant services she has contributed to standing for human rights. With her attention having been directed towards multiple organizations and causes, Hossain holds a significant standing in the fight for the rights of women as well as human rights both locally and on an international scale.
