NHRC works to formulate law to end discrimination

Your Right To Know
Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Barrister Sara Hossain addresses a seminar jointly organised by FAIR and Bangladesh Harijan Oikya Parishad in support with Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) at Jatiya Press Club in the capital yesterday. On her left are National Human Rights Commission Chairman Dr Mizanur Rahman and MJF Executive Director Shaheen Anam.Photo: STARStaff Correspondent

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken an initiative to formulate a law to end discrimination against the marginalised communities, the commission chairman said yesterday.

"We have already started the work and discussed the matter with the law commission. We will jointly formulate the law. We demand that the government pass the law in parliament," Dr Mizanur Rahman told a seminar on relevance of an anti-discrimination law to establish dignity of the marginalised people.

It was jointly organised by FAIR and Bangladesh Harijan Oikya Parishad in support with Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) at the capital's Jatiya Press Club.

Talking about different forms of discrimination, Dr Mizanur said financial difference and political identity are the major reasons of discriminations in Bangladesh.

Poor people become victims of discriminations in every sphere of life in our society, he said. "Another reason is political affiliation. If you are affiliated with the main opposition party, you will fall victim to discrimination."

The NHRC chief said, "This culture has been in practice since 1975. But we do not know how we will bring it under law as this kind of discrimination is not linked to marginalisation. This discrimination will have to be defined."

In the law, every kind of discriminations should be defined as criminal offence and the state will address the discrimination, he said.

He also urged the underprivileged like Dalits, people with disabilities, Adivasis to file complaints with the NHRC if there is any incident of discrimination.

Presenting a paper, Barrister Sara Hossain, honorary director of Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST), said the existing laws of the country have failed to protect the vulnerable communities against discrimination.

MJF Executive Director Shaheen Anam, who moderated the seminar, stressed the need for social awareness to end discrimination against marginalised communities. The issue should be introduced in primary level education to make the children aware about human dignity, she said.