Sigma Huda

Who is Sigma Huda?

Sigma Huda is a Bangladeshi lawyer and wife of former Bangladesh Nationalist Party government minister and barrister Nazmul Huda.

Since 2004, she has served as the United Nations' Special Rapporteur on human trafficking. She is also known for her views on prostitution. In her report for the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, she says:

In 2007, Huda was brought before a Bangladeshi court on bribery charges filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission, whereupon she was sentenced to three years imprisonment as an accomplice to a bribe in the amount of Taka 2.40 crore for which her husband was convicted of abuse of power and corruption. As a result of the conviction, Huda was prevented from leaving Bangladesh despite apparently enjoying diplomatic privileges as a UN rights expert which prevent her arrest or detention.

The UN Special Rapporteur on the independence of the judges and lawyers issued a statement on September 2, 2007 expressing concern that Huda was not given a fair trial. He said it received reports indicating that the right to legal representation and the independence of the court were severely affected during her trial. 'Defense lawyers felt pressured, they had no opportunity to visit her in prison and could only meet with her at the end of the hearings. They also had difficulties accessing the case files and other relevant information, thus compromising their ability to ensure an adequate defence.'