Article 19 says Queen recognised Tahmina Rahman's work for 'defending freedom'

International rights organisation, Article 19, has said the honour accorded to its Regional Director Tahmina Rahman is a recognition of her work in "defending and promoting freedom of expression and information".

"I am extremely pleased that Tahmina is being honoured for her work in defending and promoting freedom of expression and information,"  Article 19 Executive Director Thomas Hughes said in a statement.

"Under her leadership, the Article 19 regional office in Dhaka has achieved many notable successes and helped improve the lives of many in Bangladesh,” he added.

Tahmina has been honoured with the 'most excellent order' of the Member British Empire or MBE for her services to freedom of expression and the right to information in Bangladesh.

Tahmina, who represents Bangladesh and South Asia for Article 19, has been put on the order’s ‘Diplomatic Service and Overseas List’.

She is one of the five British nationals of Bangladeshi-origin named by Queen Elizabeth II in her official Birthday Honours list published in June.

The Article 19 ED said, “Recognition for her work by the UK government clearly demonstrates the commitment and impact that Tahmina and her team are achieving."

He said that for about a decade now, Tahmina conducted human rights projects on freedom of expression and access to information speaking out as a staunch advocate for the protection of journalists and social media communicators.

"She has advocated for media reforms and has represented civil society organisations as a member of various national committees of the government," the statement added.

"She leads Article 19’s flagship annual country reports on freedom of expression in Bangladesh and has highlighted challenges to freedom of expression in Bangladesh at the UN."

After the grotesque attacks on individual bloggers in Bangladesh in 2015-2016, Tahmina has been particularly active in providing support to communicators under threat.

During this period, her work included the creation of an Article 19 12-point Charter of Rights for the protection of online expression in Bangladesh.

Active in the promotion of women’s rights, Tahmina has also been a driving force against discrimination and gender-based censorship in the Bangladeshi media.

Her work includes promoting tolerance within the framework of Rabat Plan of Action in Bangladesh.

Tahmina studied law at the University of Dhaka and has a Master in Law from the University of London, School of Oriental and African Studies.

She was a McArthur Fellow at Harvard University.