A Message of Support

It is with great sadness and anger that I speak out against the monstrous act of violence committed against one of our own UBC community by her husband. Rumana Monzur, a Master’s student at UBC, was home visiting friends and family in Dhaka, Bangladesh when she told her husband that she wished to return to Canada to complete her studies. He then proceeded to savagely beat her in front of their 5-year-old daughter, severely damaging her eyes. Because of this egregious act, Rumana will likely never see again.

Our hearts and minds go out to Rumana, her daughter, friends, colleagues and family following this unconscionable experience. News of this sort is always difficult to bear, and it is made all the more difficult given the love and positivity Rumana brought to the UBC community. It is testament to her character that friends and colleagues at both the University of Dhaka and UBC have rallied in support, and are calling on authorities to see justice served.

As president of the Alma Mater Society, UBC’s student society, I would like to thank all those who have already shown such compassion and support for Rumana and her family, as well as lend the support of all students in the UBC community. I would also like to take this opportunity to reflect on the fundamental rights of all women to education, freedom from persecution, and protection against violence. This tragic event has hit close to home, and should serve as a reminder that we all still have a role to play in ending violence against women.

Sincerely,

Jeremy McElroy
President
Alma Mater Society of UBC

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