Recognise discriminatory behaviour as ‘punishable offence’ in proposed law: Eminent citizens
Eminent citizens today (April 17, 2022) said discriminatory behaviour should be recognised as a "punishable offence" in the proposed "anti-discrimination law" to eliminate malpractice in the country.
The proposed law does not incorporate provision for redress through the criminal justice system against discriminatory behaviour or acts which will be a bar to achieving key objectives, they told a webinar on the proposed law hosted by Manusher Jonno Foundation.
Speakers stressed reframing the draft law, saying its title should incorporate the word "elimination" instead of "anti".
Law Minister Anisul Huq placed the "Anti-Discrimination Bill 2022" before the national parliament on April 5.
Later, the bill was sent to the parliamentary committee on the law ministry for scrutiny. The committee has been asked to submit a report on the bill within 30 days.
Addressing the webinar as chief guest, Shahiduzzaman Sarker, chairman of the parliamentary committee on the law ministry, urged the organisers to submit a set of recommendations generated during the event before the committee.
He will discuss in detail the recommendations with the law minister and other members of the committee.
Moderating the event, MJF Executive Director Shaheen Anam said there will be no benefit by formulating a law if it is not possible to bring change in people's mindsets and psyche.
"What essential in this regard is to ensure respect for each other and establish social harmony," she said.
Shaheen Anam said the trust has to be restored that ensuring justice for marginalised people through law is possible. "Our goal is to see how far the law can go in empowering people."
Eminent economist and Convener of Citizen's Platform for SDGs, Bangladesh Debapriya Bhattacharya said the list of types of discrimination should be broadened and made "generic" in the draft law.
Many would say "law takes its own course". However, a law becomes effective only if there is visible political will in place, skilled administration and judiciary play their due role, and a proactive civil society plays its watchdog role diligently, he said.
The draft law seemed "unprofessional", said Barrister Shameem Haider Patwary, a member of the parliamentary committee on the law ministry, raising concern over the effectiveness of the monitoring committee to be formed under the law.
The monitoring committee does not incorporate representatives from people belonging to all tiers of the society, he said.
Chief Executive of Nagorik Uddyog Zakir Hossain said the first draft of the law incorporated the words 'elimination of discrimination' but later changed as 'anti-discrimination'.
Welcoming the proposed law, Supreme Court lawyer Barrister Sara Hossain said there should be scope for addressing "intersectional" discrimination in the proposed law.
Ethnic minority community leader Sanjeeb Drong stressed forming a strong monitoring committee.
Comments