Oxford Seminar to Explore Bangladesh’s Democratic Future Today

An international seminar focusing on Bangladesh’s human rights situation, political inclusion, and the future of democratic governance is scheduled to take place today, Monday (13 July 2026), at the prestigious University of Oxford, United Kingdom.

The event, titled "Bangladesh at a Democratic Crossroads: Human Rights, Political Inclusion, and the Future of Democratic Governance," is being hosted by the Global Center for Democratic Governance (GCDG), Canada, a Canadian-registered, non-profit, research-oriented think tank.

The seminar will commence at 5:00 p.m. (UK time) at the Leonard Wolfson Auditorium, Wolfson College, University of Oxford.

According to the organizers, the seminar aims to provide an independent, evidence-based platform for discussions surrounding the rule of law, democratic institutions, human rights, and the trajectory of governance in Bangladesh. The event will be opened by Professor Dr. Md Habibe Millat, President of GCDG, Canada, who will deliver the introductory address, while prominent UK-based human rights activist Chris Blackburn will moderate the session.

The panel discussion will feature a distinguished lineup of global experts, academics, and political figures joining both virtually and in person.

Speakers joining the discussion online include Sajeeb Wazed, Former Adviser to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh; Paulo Casaca, Former Member of the European Parliament and Executive Director of the South Asia Democratic Forum, Belgium; Prof. Tarun Khaitan, Professor of Public Law and Research Director at the LSE Law School, UK; and Sir Vincent Lyn, Deputy Ambassador and Commissioner of the International Human Rights Commission, Switzerland.

Meanwhile, the in-person panel at the venue will feature Syed Badrul Ahsan, Senior Journalist, Political Analyst, and Author, UK; Prof. Dr. Rayhan Rashid from the Faculty of Law, University of Oxford; Advokat Mona Haghgou Strindberg, Attorney from Sweden; and Dr. Ashfaque Alam, Affiliate Academic at King's College London. Additionally, Dr. Naila Arzumand Haq, an academic from the University of London, will join the panel to share the perspective of a family directly affected by the prolonged detention of Bangladesh's former Chief Justice.