Change discriminatory mindset towards ethnic minorities: speakers
Culture of impunity and non-cooperation of the administration in getting justice are major reasons behind violence against ethnic minority communities, particularly women, speakers said at a discussion yesterday.
They also urged the government and the administration to change their discriminatory mindset towards the minority communities if they “sincerely” want to ensure a safe, secure and dignified life for the disadvantaged groups.
Bangladesh Mahila Parishad (BMP), in association with Embassy of Sweden in Dhaka, organised the discussion on rights of indigenous women at BMP office in the capital.
Speaking at the event, veteran politician Pankaj Bhattacharya said the government talks about the rights of indigenous women, but those remain confined in words only, as the reality is different.
“We didn’t see a single example of justice for the violence -- including rape and murder -- against indigenous women, particularly in Chattogram Hill Tracts,” he said.
A culture of impunity has been established in this country, he said. The state is not only prejudiced, but also unfriendly when it comes to women and indigenous people, he alleged.
“When a state doesn’t even recognise the indigenous people constitutionally, protecting rights of indigenous women is a far cry,” said Pankaj, president of Oikya Nap.
Falguni Tripura, coordinator of Bangladesh Indigenous Women Network (BIWN), said that indigenous women face three-dimensional violence -- as an indigenous person, as a woman and as an indigenous woman. To change their current state, she urged the government to empower them through ensuring their political participation and eradicating the ongoing culture of impunity.
Comments