Work together to bring positive change to society
If the young generation becomes tolerant and diverse, they will be able to work together for emancipation of all and protection of human rights in order to build a better Bangladesh, she said.
The Amnesty top official was speaking as the chief guest at the 10th national conference of the Youth Ending Hunger, organised by The Hunger Project at the Gonoshasthaya Kendra auditorium in Savar.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. About 500 students of different ages joined the conference.
Under the Youth Ending Hunger programme, over one lakh young students across the country voluntarily engaged themselves in creative activities to create a confident and self-reliant generation.
They are working to raise awareness about various social issues such as environment, dowry, early marriage, violence and also to make people socially responsible.
Irene Khan said the youths are the leaders of the present and the enlightened youths would be able to spread the light among others who are still in dark.
Replying to a query about repression of religious minority during the last general election in 2001, she said the Amnesty International has published a report on it and expressed grave concern.
"The majority people has a duty to protect the vulnerable and help complete the election process peacefully along with the government, non-government organisations, civil society and opposition political parties," she added.
Speaking on the crossfire issue, Irene dismissed the claims by the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) that the criminals were killed in the crossfire.
"We met the prime minister one year ago and suggested launching an independent investigation into the deaths at the hand of security agencies. If the government does not take any initiative in this regard, the 'shoot to kill' policy of the security agency will be established gradually," she said.
Global Vice-President and Country Director of The Hunger Project Badiul Alam Majumder, Dr Hameeda Hossain, columnist Syed Abul Maksud, political activist Ruhin Hossain Prince also spoke at the programme.