Syeda Rizwana Hasan

Syeda Rizwana Hasan is the chief Executive of Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA). Rizwana Hasan, is recognized for her uncompromising courage and impassioned leadership in a campaign of judicial activism in Bangladesh that affirms the people’s right to a good environment. Syeda Rizwana Hasan is a reputed attorney and environmentalist of Bangladesh. She got her bachelor and masters degree in Law from Dhaka University. She completed an Eisenhower Fellowship in the United States in 2009. Hasan joined Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) in July, 1993. Hasan continues to strive for more labour rights and safer working environment in shipb reaking industry in Bangladesh. She has also successfully sued organizations involved in improper use of polythene, hill cutting, deforestation, shrimp farming and building illegal establishments in the St. Martin`s Island. Under Hasan’s leadership, BELA won the Global 500 Roll of Honor in 2003 by the United Nations Environment Program. She has attained Magsaysay Awards-2012. The Ramon Magsaysay Award is widely regarded as Asia’s Nobel Prize. Ministry of Forests and Environment of Bangladesh government awarded her ‘The Inaugural Environment Award’ in 2007 for raising environmental awareness. She also received Womanhood Award in 2008 by the Nepal-based Creative Statements and South Asia Partnership. In 2009, Rizwana was awarded the Goldman Environmental Prize. She has also been dubbed as a Hero of Environment by the world renowned American news magazine TIME.