Make healthcare a constitutional right

Rights activists and civil society members have called for including healthcare as a fundamental right in the country's constitution, making it a legal obligation of the state to protect peoples' right to healthcare.

The coronavirus pandemic brought to light the weaknesses of the country's health systems where corruption and profit mongering tendencies are rampant, they said yesterday.

The observations came at a virtual seminar titled "Better Health: Stand Up for Human Rights" organised by BDCSOProcess, a forum of 700 civil society and non-government organisations in collaboration with COAST Trust. The event was organised marking Begum Rokeya Day yesterday and Human Rights Day today.

Speakers expressed concerns that the principles of the country's liberation war -- democracy, socialism, secularism and nationalism – are yet to be achieved fully.

Addressing the seminar as chair, Manusher Jonno Foundation Executive Director Shaheen Anam said it is shameful that power is being abused to grab the land of indigenous people when this nation fought for liberation with the principles of equality and democracy.

COAST Trust Executive Director Rezaul Karim Chowdhury said NGOs as civil society organisations should not only be limited to providing services, but raise their voice on civil rights and demand mediation.

They need to practice the values of human rights in their own organisations and create space for dialogue at all levels for socio-economic and political transformation, he said.

Journalist Bashanti Shaha said freedom of expression is a basic right, but Digital Security Act has created a sense of fear in exercising this right.

Afzal Hossain of RULFAO, Rajshahi; AKM Jashim Uddin of ADAB; Merina Lovely of Channel I; AHM Bazlur Rahman of BNNNRC, Sarati Shaha of SEED; Akbar Hossain of RPF, Rangpur; Anwar Zahid of ICDA, Barisal and Mostafa Kamal Akanda of COAST Trust also spoke.