Indigenous people still deprived of rights

Indigenous people are major victims of human rights violation for the last 38 years since independence despite their contributions to various movements in the country including liberation war in 1971and language movement in 1952.
They also have a notable role in national economy but the successive political governments neither paid any sincere attention to their rights nor resolved their issues.
Speakers observed this at a seminar yesterday. The seminar was organised by Jatiya Adibashi Parishad of Dinajpur and held at Dinajpur Press Club.
Advocate Sultana Kamal, former advisor to caretaker government, prominent human rights activists, local elites and political figures spoke at the seminar.
Laxmi Kanta Hasda, President of Dinajpur unit of Jatiya Adibashi Parishad presided while Rabindra Nath Soren, General Secretary of Central Jatiya Adibashi Parishad presented the key note paper.
At the seminar, the speakers observed that life of indigenous people is worsening every day. Despite their valuable contributions to national issues and economy they are still deprived of their constitutional rights, they said.
The speakers said that the indigenous people do not get proper health care at government hospitals as doctors and nurses often ignore them.
Besides, there is no concrete move yet to establish a separate ministry to check violation of their rights and ensure quick justice to their issues while they are still shouting for constitutional recognition.
Sultana Kamal said, today there is a dire need for change in attitude towards the indigenous communities as they have already made their presence felt in almost every field of society and national economy.
As they are playing their role effectively, the political governments should also take effective steps to resolve their issues without delay, she added.