State must end discrimination
HR commission boss tells seminar on Dalits' rights
The state itself should be responsible in ending all forms of discrimination against the Dalits and excluded communities, said National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Chairman Mizanur Rahman yesterday.
Any form of discrimination is a violation of human rights and it is the state's duty to protect human rights of all citizens irrespective of caste or community, he said.
Mizanur was addressing a seminar, “Protection of rights, dignity and uniqueness of Dalit communities in Bangladesh through formulation of a law to eliminate racial discrimination” at Cirdap auditorium in the capital.
Research and Development Collection (RDC) and Antoj Forum, supported by ActionAid Bangladesh, organised the seminar marking International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, observed on March 21.
“Bangladesh is a rich-friendly and anti-poor country. That is why powerless people here are continuously being repressed and tortured,” he said.
He urged the Dalit community to enlighten themselves through education to enhance their competency.
Speaking as the chief guest, Deputy Speaker of Parliament Col (retd) Shawkat Ali urged all to work together in ending discrimination against the Dalit and marginalised communities.
“Although I am expressing solidarity with the demands of Dalit communities, as the deputy speaker, I have little ability to do something significant for you (the Dalits),” said Shawkat.
A paper jointly prepared by Prof Mesbah Kamal of the history department of Dhaka University and RDC General Secretary Zannat-a-Ferdous was presented in the seminar.
The paper claimed that some 55 lakh members of the Dalit and Harijan communities present in the country were excluded from the mainstream population.
Deprived of the basic rights like education, sanitation and accommodation, they were leading inhumane lives, it said.
Bangladesh Harijan Oikya Parishad Convener Nirmol Chandra Das placed a 10-point demand.
It includes formulation of a law for the elimination of racial discrimination, special quota for these communities in educational institutions and the job sector, their inclusion in safety net programmes, allocation of Khas land for their accommodation and formation of a “Dalit Commission”.
Prof Dr HK Arefin of the anthropology department of Dhaka University chaired the seminar, moderated by ActionAid Bangladesh Country Director Farah Kabir. Representatives from different communities also spoke at the programme.
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