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RAJSHAHI: Chief Justice (CJ) Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury has said that neither sovereignty nor state laws can stand above people’s fundamental rights and humanity.
He made the remarks at an international conference titled ‘Sovereignty, Humanity and Law in the Contemporary World’ at the Senate Building of Rajshahi University on Friday. The university’s Department of Law organised the conference.
Addressing the event as the chief guest, the Chief Justice said the rigid concept of sovereignty was facing considerable challenges in today’s world. No problem is now confined to the boundaries of a single territory, nor does it remain so.
As a result, the meaning of a state’s sovereignty is no longer limited to the freedom to act according to its own will. Rather, it also entails the responsibility to participate in international cooperation to address existing challenges.
He expressed hope that discussions at the conference would provide a roadmap for addressing various challenges facing the contemporary world.
The Chief Justice further said the international conference was serving as an important platform for professionals from different regions and backgrounds. Participants would have the opportunity to engage in discussions, exchange research findings and deliberate on the changing nature of sovereignty, the protection of human dignity and the role of law in building a just and peaceful world.
He added that the conference would help inspire further research on sovereignty, human dignity, human rights, international law and the rule of law.
In his presidential address, university Vice-Chancellor Professor Md Faridul Islam said the concepts of sovereignty, humanity and law were closely interconnected in the contemporary world.
He said issues such as globalisation, armed conflicts, technological advancements, climate change, migration, inequality and changing international relations had created new challenges.
At such a time, academic discussions and interdisciplinary research were essential to understanding these challenges and identifying effective legal and institutional measures, he said, expressing hope that the conference would provide guidance in this regard.
A total of 124 papers are scheduled to be presented across four academic sessions during the two-day conference.
Department students SM Ridwan Junead and Tasnim Taiyeba moderated the event.
Conference Convener Dr Begum Asma Siddika delivered the welcome address, while Law Department Chairperson Professor Saeeda Anju delivered the vote of thanks.
Among others, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Professor Md Abdul Alim, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Mamunur Rashid, teachers from different university departments, researchers, judges, legal professionals, students and other stakeholders attended the event.
