1. Early life and education
1.1. Birth and family background
Abu Sayeed Chowdhury was born on 31 January 1921, in the village of Nagbari in Tangail, within the Mymensingh district of the Bengal Presidency (now Bangladesh). He hailed from a prominent Bengali Muslim zamindar family. His father, Abdul Hamid Chowdhury, was a notable figure who served as a former speaker of the East Pakistan Provincial Assembly. Abdul Hamid Chowdhury was also honored with the title of "Khan Bahadur" by the British Empire, a title he later renounced as a protest against British atrocities and in solidarity with movements opposing imperial rule. This act of protest by his father underscored a family legacy of standing against injustice.
1.2. Education
Chowdhury pursued a robust academic journey. He graduated in 1940 from Presidency College in Calcutta. Subsequently, he obtained both his master's degree and a law degree from the University of Calcutta in 1942. Following the conclusion of the Second World War, he traveled to London to complete his bar-at-law studies, qualifying him to practice as a barrister.
2. Career
Abu Sayeed Chowdhury's career spanned various fields, including law, academia, diplomacy, and high political office, culminating in his presidency of Bangladesh.
2.1. Legal career
Chowdhury began his legal career by joining the Calcutta High Court Bar in 1947. After the Partition of India, he relocated to Dhaka and became a member of the Dhaka High Court Bar in 1948. His legal expertise led to his appointment as the Advocate General of East Pakistan in 1960. On 7 July 1961, he was elevated to the position of Additional Judge of the Dhaka High Court by the then Pakistani President Ayub Khan, and was confirmed as a permanent judge of the Dhaka High Court two years later. Throughout this period, he also contributed to constitutional and developmental initiatives, serving as a member of the Constitution Commission from 1960 to 1961 and as chairman of the Bengali Development Board from 1963 to 1968.
2.2. Academic and educational activities
In 1969, Chowdhury was appointed as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Dhaka. His tenure as Vice-Chancellor was marked by a significant act of protest. In 1971, while he was in Geneva, he resigned from his position in strong protest against the brutal genocide being perpetrated in East Pakistan by the Pakistan Army. This resignation underscored his deep moral convictions and commitment to justice.
2.3. Diplomatic and Independence Movement Participation
Following his resignation as Vice-Chancellor, Abu Sayeed Chowdhury traveled from Geneva to the United Kingdom, where he became a special envoy for the provisional Mujibnagar Government. In this capacity, he played a vital role in garnering international support for Bangladesh's independence movement. On 24 April 1971, an umbrella organization known as The Council for the People's Republic of Bangladesh in UK was formed in Coventry, UK, by expatriate Bengalis. A five-member steering committee was elected by them to coordinate efforts. Chowdhury served as the High Commissioner for the People's Republic of Bangladesh in London from 1 August 1971 to 8 January 1972, a critical period during which he worked to establish diplomatic relations and advocate for the newly emerging nation.
2.4. Presidency of Bangladesh
After the liberation of Bangladesh, Abu Sayeed Chowdhury returned to Dhaka. He was elected as the second president of Bangladesh on 12 January 1972. He was re-elected to the presidency on 10 April 1973. However, in December of the same year, he resigned from the presidency to take on a new role as a special envoy for external relations, holding the rank of a minister. On 8 August 1975, he was included in the cabinet of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the Minister of Ports and Shipping. Following the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Chowdhury became the Minister for Foreign Affairs in the cabinet of President Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad in August 1975, a position he held until 7 November of the same year.
2.5. Post-Presidency Roles and International Activities
Chowdhury continued his international engagement after his presidency. In 1978, he was elected as a member of the United Nations Sub-committee on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, demonstrating his ongoing commitment to human rights and minority protections. His dedication to these principles led to his election as chairman of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in 1985, a testament to his recognized expertise and influence in international human rights discourse. His distinguished career was also recognized through academic honors; he was awarded the insignia of Deshikottam by Visva-Bharati University and an honorary Doctor of Law degree by Calcutta University.
3. Ideology and Human Rights Activities
Abu Sayeed Chowdhury's career consistently demonstrated a profound commitment to human rights and democratic principles. His legal philosophy was rooted in justice and fairness, which he applied throughout his professional life as a lawyer and a judge. A pivotal moment reflecting his ideology was his resignation as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Dhaka in 1971, a direct protest against the genocide committed by the Pakistani Army in East Pakistan. This act highlighted his unwavering stance against atrocities and his solidarity with the victims.
His dedication to human rights extended to the international arena through his extensive work with the United Nations. As a member of the UN Sub-committee on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities and later as the chairman of the UN Human Rights Commission, he actively contributed to shaping international human rights discourse and policy. His efforts aimed at preventing discrimination and protecting vulnerable populations globally.
Furthermore, his family background, particularly his father Abdul Hamid Chowdhury's decision to renounce the "Khan Bahadur" title in protest against British imperial actions, suggests a familial legacy of principled opposition to injustice. This background likely influenced Abu Sayeed Chowdhury's own strong moral compass and his lifelong advocacy for human rights and democratic development. His published works, including those specifically on human rights, further solidify his intellectual and practical contributions to the field.
4. Death
Abu Sayeed Chowdhury died on 2 August 1987, at the age of 66, in London, due to a heart attack. His body was repatriated and buried in his ancestral village of Nagbari, Tangail, Bangladesh.
5. Evaluation and Controversy
5.1. Positive Evaluation
Abu Sayeed Chowdhury is widely regarded for his significant contributions to the legal system, academia, and the establishment of Bangladesh as an independent nation. His early career as a jurist, including his roles as Advocate General and High Court Judge, showcased his legal acumen and commitment to justice. As Vice-Chancellor of the University of Dhaka, his principled resignation in protest against the 1971 genocide earned him respect and demonstrated his moral courage. His diplomatic efforts as a special envoy and the first High Commissioner to the UK were crucial in garnering international support for Bangladesh's independence. His subsequent leadership as the second President of Bangladesh, though brief, marked an important period in the nascent nation's history. His later roles in the United Nations, particularly as chairman of the UN Human Rights Commission, solidified his reputation as an international advocate for human rights and democratic values.
5.2. Controversy and Criticism
Despite his many achievements, Abu Sayeed Chowdhury's career also faced controversy, particularly concerning his political actions following the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on 15 August 1975. Immediately after the assassination, Chowdhury joined the cabinet of the new government led by President Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad as the Foreign Minister. His public statement at the time, where he praised President Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad by stating, "President Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad believes in democracy and he wants to restore democratic atmosphere in the country," drew criticism. This action and statement were controversial given the context of a military coup and the violent overthrow of the democratically elected government, leading to questions about his commitment to democratic principles in that specific political juncture.
6. Books
Abu Sayeed Chowdhury was also an author, contributing to legal and human rights literature. His published works include:
- Probashe Muktijuddher Dinguli
- Manobadhikar
- Human Rights in the Twentieth Century
- Muslim Family Law in the English Courts