Govt doesn’t care about the underprivileged

Noted rights activist Sultana Kamal yesterday urged the government to enact the proposed Anti-discrimination Act immediately to ensure equal rights for all citizens and end discrimination towards marginalised communities like Dalit.

She claimed that the government is keeping it pending, as they do not care about those people anymore.

Sultana, chairperson of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), made the remarks at a press conference held at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity.

National Advocacy Platform, in association with Centre for Social Activism and HEKS/EPER, organised the event to launch a report on the rights situation of Dalits and ethnic minority groups living in the plain lands.

Citing the report findings, Sultana, also convener of the Advocacy Platform, said the rights situation of these communities has been worsening gradually, as violence against them is frequent nowadays.

Most of the violent incidents they face centre land. Considering the current situation, formulation of a separate land commission for the ethnic groups and enactment of the anti-discrimination act have become absolutely necessary, she added.

The rights activist also alleged that the government could easily pass acts that tend to “snatch people’s rights”, but the acts that are necessary for the well-being of the masses remain pending for approval for years.

“This proves that the government doesn’t prioritise the interests of underprivileged people anymore; they think that listening to these people isn’t necessary,” she added.

According to the report, at least 41 incidents of human rights violation -- including eight rapes, two murders, two abductions and eight land-grabbing -- occurred against Dalits and ethnic minority groups so far this year.

In most incidents, cases were filed at police stations but majority of the accused are yet to be brought to book, said the report based on news published in national dailies.

The report also said the number of violent incidents are almost twice than that of last year.

Nijera Kori Coordinator Khushi Kabir and Bangladesh Adivasi Forum General Secretary Sanjeeb Drong, among others, also spoke at the press conference.