

Today, we remember the life of vibrant, selfless, and loving Xulhaz Mannan. On April 25, 2016, Xulhaz and his friend, Mahbub Rabbi Tonoy, were brutally murdered by men who tried to stop Xulhaz's fight for the human rights of all people.

In 2015, Xulhaz joined the Office of Democracy and Governance at the Mission of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in the People's Republic of Bangladesh. At USAID, he worked on key programs that combat trafficking in persons, address gender-based violence, and promote human rights. He previously served for nine years as the Protocol Specialist for the U.S. Embassy in Dhaka, where he was a founding member of the Embassy's Diversity Committee.

On the fourth anniversary of his death, we remember Xulhaz's steadfast commitment to public service and his unwavering dedication to promoting the rights of all people, regardless of their background, their ethnicity, or any other factor that makes each of us unique. Today, we recommit ourselves to continue his fight -- our fight -- for human rights, and we renew our call upon the authorities in Bangladesh to prosecute those who committed this horrific crime without delay and hold them accountable for their actions.

At USAID, and across the U. S. Government, we value the unique contributions of all people and work to create a world in which all can live with dignity, free from discrimination, persecution, and violence.