The second president of Bangladesh, Abu Sayeed Chowdhury, balanced a long legal career with high-level diplomatic service spanning the dissolution of the British Raj to the early years of Bangladeshi independence. Born in the Bengal Presidency, he served in multiple cabinet positions and led international human rights efforts before his death in London in 1987.
Legal and Academic Beginnings
Born in Nagbari, Tangail, on 31 January 1921, Chowdhury attended Mymensingh Zilla School before graduating from Presidency College in 1940. He completed his master's and law degrees at the University of Calcutta by 1942 and later qualified as a barrister in London. His legal career began at the Calcutta High Court in 1947, followed by a move to the Dhaka High Court in 1948. By 1961, he was elevated to the post of Additional Judge of the Dhaka High Court after serving as the advocate general of East Pakistan and as a member of the Constitution Commission.
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In 1969, Chowdhury became the vice-chancellor of the University of Dhaka. His tenure ended in 1971 when he resigned in Geneva as a protest against the actions of the Pakistan army in East Pakistan. Transitioning to the diplomatic front, he acted as a special envoy for the Mujibnagar Government and served as the first High Commissioner for the People's Republic of Bangladesh in London from August 1971 to January 1972.
Presidency and Ministerial Appointments
Chowdhury was elected president of Bangladesh on 12 January 1972 and again on 10 April 1973. He resigned from the presidency in December 1973 to serve as a special envoy for external relations. In August 1975, he joined the cabinet of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman as the minister of ports and shipping. Following the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, he served as the foreign minister under President Khondaker Mostaq Ahmad until November 1975.
International Advocacy and Later Life
His work in the international sphere included election to the United Nations Sub-committee on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities in 1978. In 1985, he served as chairman of the UN Human Rights Commission. Throughout his life, he authored several works including Probashe Muktijuddher Dinguli and Human Rights in the Twentieth Century. He received an honorary doctor of law from the University of Calcutta and was an Honorary Fellow of the Bangla Academy.
Fast facts
- Born: 31 January 1921, Tangail
- Died: 2 August 1987, London
- Presidency term: 1972–1973
- Citizenship: British Raj, Pakistan, Bangladesh
- Education: University of Calcutta, Presidency University
- Burial site: Tangail District
- Religion: Islam
Questions readers ask
What major diplomatic post did Abu Sayeed Chowdhury hold in the UK?
He served as the first High Commissioner for the People's Republic of Bangladesh in London from August 1971 until January 1972.
Which international body did he chair in 1985?
He served as the chairman of the United Nations Human Rights Commission.
