Shireen Huq

Shireen Huq, also known as Shireen Pervin Huq, is a women's rights activist,^[1] and founder of Naripokkho, a woman's rights organization.^[2][3] She is a trustee board member of Gono Bishwabidyalay.^[4] She is the co-convener of Bangladesh Civil Society Platform on Justice and Accountability for the Rohingyas.^[5]

Career

Huq was one of the founding member of Naripokkho in 1983.^[6][7] She worked for Danish International Development Agency from 1987 to 2006.^[8][9]

Huq signed a letter with 57 other women leaders calling on the government to not interfere with Grameen Bank in August 2012.^[10]

In August 2013, Huq called for the government to release Adilur Rahman Khan.^[11]

Huq spoked against the short imprisonment of David Bergman for contempt of court in 2015.^[12] She is a founding member of the Committee for the Protection of Fundamental Rights.^[13] She called Rezaul Karim Bablu, member of parliament, a Neanderthal for his comments blaming feminist of rape.^[14]

In 2023, Huq signed a letter criticizing the government treatment of former prime minister Khaleda Zia, warning it could lead to a political crises, and asking the government to send her abroad for treatment.^[15] Other signatories included Ali Imam Majumder, Asif Nazrul, CR Abrar, Farida Akhtar, Hafizuddin Khan, Naila Z Khan, Nur Khan, Rahnuma Ahmed, Shahdeen Malik, Shahidul Alam, Sharmeen Murshid, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, and Tofail Ahmed.^[15]

In February 2024, Huq met with Rear Adm. Eileen Laubacher, special assistant to the president and senior director for South Asia - national security, Afreen Akhter, state department deputy assistant secretary, and Michael Schiffer, assistant administrator of the bureau for Asia, at the United States embassy to discuss democracy and human rights.^[16] The meeting was attended by Adilur Rahman Khan, Debapriya Bhattacharya, and Zillur Rahman, host of Tritiyo Matra.^[17] After the fall of the Sheikh Hasina led Awami League government, Huq visited the headquarters of Directorate General of Forces Intelligence to inspect the secret detention facility Aynaghor.^[18] She was appointed the chair of the Women Affairs Reform Commission formed by the Muhammad Yunus led Interim government.^[19][20]

Personal life

Huq married Zafrullah Chowdhury (died 2023), founder of Gonoshasthaya Kendra.^[21] They have a son, Bareesh Chowdhury, and a daughter, Bristi Chowdhury.^[22] Her sister Nasreen Pervin Huq died in a car accident.^[23]