- Zaman highlights necessity for immigrants to understand laws.
- Mayor welcomes guests, emphasising importance of such events.
- CECS aims to provide community with awareness, says its president.
DALLAS: An event titled ‘Human Rights and International Oppression’ was organised in Carrollton, Texas, in collaboration with the Center of Excellence for Community Services (CECS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
The event saw the participation of Carrollton Mayor Steve Babick, representatives from various human rights organisations, community leaders from across the Dallas-Fort Worth area as well as FBI officials.
The primary objective of the forum was to raise awareness about law and justice, ensuring that residents facing threats within the US or abroad know how to seek help.
Mayor Babick welcomed the guests, emphasising the importance of such events for community members, noting that Carrollton is a hub of diverse religions and nationalities, and programmes like this aid in legal awareness.
CECS Founder and President Nadeem Zaman highlighted the necessity for immigrants to understand the laws of the country in which they reside. He explained that CECS aims to provide the community with awareness, activism, and advocacy.
The event welcomed local elected officials, community leaders, representatives from NAACP and LULAC, and immigrants from various countries. FBI special agents delivered detailed presentations on various topics, focusing on the importance of human rights and the practical implementation of laws related to international oppression.
Supervisory Special Agent Jennifer L Breggman, Special Agent Holly Kelly, and Special Agent Carrie Davis provided insights into human rights laws and the international oppression legal framework. They explained the practical enforcement of international law, guiding attendees on how to contact the FBI or local police if facing threats from their home countries.
Videos showcasing FBI operations were also presented. A question and answer session followed, where questions, particularly about international oppression related to Pakistan and India, were addressed.
Prominent human rights activist and former state assembly member Domingo Garcia, alongside Indian-American philanthropist Dr Bashir Ahmed, received accolades for their contributions to human rights organisations NAACP and LULAC.
Director Maliha Shehzad of CECS acknowledged the support from various communities. During the Q&A session, a notable question was raised about potential changes in FBI policies post-Trump administration.
FBI representatives clarified that their agency remains impartial, with no anticipated changes in law and justice policies, as the country’s law is supreme and binding on all. The event was attended by leaders from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Turkey, Azerbaijan, the Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, Taiwan, Mexico, and El Salvador.
The proceedings were moderated by Pervez Malik, while CECS Director Afzal briefed attendees on future programmes, including a significant human rights event in Pakistan. Participants praised the event as a critical step for community awareness, providing essential information on human rights protection and strategies against international oppression.
