The guest speakers were: Dr. Veda Prokash Nanda, Provost of Dept. of Law, University of Colorado; David Kelleher, Coordinator, Bangladesh Pakistan and Afghanistan Chapter, Amnesty Intermational; Advocate William Sloan, President of American Association of jurists, Canada Branch; Patrica Rimok, President, Council of intercultural relations; Louise Gagne, Counsellor, Directorate of Intercultural and Civic relation; Saleem Samad, writer and journalist; Shitangshu Guha, Overseas Co-coordinator, Unity Council; M.A. Ahad, conveoer, Canada and Jhon Linda, President, World Peace Park. Among others, delegates from USA and Toronto participated and spoke on the occasion.
Messages from law and Justice Minister Irwin Cotler and Maj. Gen (retd) C.R. Dutta Biruttam and Advocate Cyril Sikdar, presidents of Unity Council, Ushatan Talukder, member of the presidium and general secretary Prof. Dr. N.C. Bhowmik for wishing the success of the conference were read out.
The Conference paper mentioned some instances of atrocities and underlying causes. The paper said, communal attack and atrocities are going on in Bangladesh despite protest all over the world. The minority community of the country are registering their severe protest in co-operation with the progressive forces, it adde.
Dr. Nanda said that human rights is an issue all over the world. Persecution of religious minorities in Bangladesh has been continuing to an extend that amounts ethnic cleansing. In order to stop it, it is necessary to work vigorously at three-pronged strategy: awareness building, political action and judicial action at national as well as international level. David Kelleher said human rights is invisible, comprising the whole gamut of social equity and need to be practiced in every day life. He assured his continued support to the cause of the council to upholding human rights of minorities and all others in Bangladesh. William Sloan said fundamentalists always serve the vested interest and emphasized on the importance of building broader coalition to fight religious persecution and fundamentalism. Patricia Rimok and Louise Gagne assured their continued support to the council efforts for promoting social integration and cultural activities. Saleem Samad mentioned a brief account of torture and persecution in Bangladesh on him. M.A Ahad stated that violence and persecution by fundamentalists in Bangladesh backed by the ruling coalition in the name of Islam must be fought by all unitedly.The conference started with the playing of national anthems of Bangladesh and Canada and one minute silence as mark of respect to the memory of all martyrs.
The meeting attended by an audience of few hundreds, was conducted by general secretary Saroj Das, vote of thanks was given by presidium member Joy Dutta Barua. The session was followed by documentaryÑ"Let Us live" by Shahariar Kabir and cultural events. In "Let Us live" Shahariar Kabir pictured the condition of the minority community and their struggle for existence in Bangladesh.