Current Role | Chief Executive, Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) |
Previous Position | Staff Lawyer, BELA |
Key Recognition | Goldman Environmental Prize | Ramon Magsaysay Award | TIME 100 Impact List |
Background and Early Foundations
Syeda Rizwana Hasan was born in Dhaka to a socially conscious family that valued justice and civic duty. After completing her Master’s in Law from the University of Dhaka, she chose to devote her career not to corporate law — but to using the law as a weapon for environmental justice.
She joined BELA in the early 1990s, when environmental law was virtually absent in South Asia. Instead of waiting for change, she brought it — through courtroom litigation, public education, and grassroots engagement.
Today, Rizwana Hasan is globally recognized as one of Asia’s most fearless defenders of the environment and human dignity.
Career Milestones and Impact
Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
2003 | Successfully sued Bangladesh’s shipbreaking industry for environmental violations |
2009 | Received the Goldman Environmental Prize for legal activism |
2012 | Played key role in banning harmful industrial practices in ecologically critical zones |
2022 | Led regional legal efforts around cross-border environmental justice and labor rights |
- Cases Filed: 150+ environmental and public interest cases
- Legal Wins: Ban on harmful shipbreaking practices, forest land misuse, and unregulated landfills
- Policy Impact: Influenced EIA reform and environmental licensing in Bangladesh
- Global Recognition: Goldman Prize (2009), Magsaysay Award (2012), TIME 100 (2020)
Leadership Style and Influence
Rizwana leads with legal precision, deep moral clarity, and unshakable persistence:
- Combines litigation with public advocacy and media awareness
- Trains the next generation of environmental lawyers across South Asia
- Speaks at UN Climate Conferences, World Bank forums, and regional legal summits
- Holds both corporations and governments accountable — regardless of politics
Her ability to stand firm against powerful business and political interests makes her one of Bangladesh’s most respected civil society figures.
Legacy and Future Focus
Syeda Rizwana Hasan’s legacy is one of civic courage, legal innovation, and quiet revolution:
- Built BELA into a globally respected public interest law organization
- Used courtrooms to create legislative change for air, land, and water protection
- Paved a legal path for women in a traditionally male-dominated field
Looking ahead, she is:
- Expanding regional alliances for transboundary environmental law
- Launching a public database of landmark climate rulings across South Asia
- Mentoring eco-law fellows in Bangladesh and neighboring countries
