Dhaka, March 7 -- Two former US diplomats at a discussion in Dhaka have highlighted the importance of the right to freedom, protection of human rights and democracy, noting that rights come with responsibilities.

They said that this is an exciting time in Bangladesh and they want to be part of that with their further contribution as they are devoted actually to human rights and democracy in Bangladesh through their US-based Right to Freedom (R2F), a human rights advocacy organisation dedicated to defending democracy.

Ambassador William B Milam, a former US diplomat and specialist in South Asia and West Africa, who served as US Ambassador to Bangladesh and Pakistan; and Jon F. Danilowicz, a retired Department of State senior foreign serv...