Anti-discrimination law enactment urged to ensure equality for all

Speakers have called for the speedy enactment of a strong and comprehensive anti-discrimination law to protect marginalized communities and ensure equality, dignity and justice for all citizens of the country.

They said that although the Constitution guarantees equality, various marginalized communities are still victims of discrimination and deprivation in reality.

To overcome the situation, they said, the law must be enacted and its effective implementation ensured.

They made the remarks at a divisional-level dialogue on the Anti-Discrimination Law held at Hotel Warison in Rajshahi city today.

The dialogue was presided over by Wahida Yasmin, Advisor of Lighthouse Organization. The opening remarks were delivered and the discussion was moderated by Rajkumar Shaw, Executive Director of Anagrasar Samaj Unnayan Sangstha (ASUS).

The keynote paper was presented by Wasiur Rahman Tanmoy, Head of the Youth Society and Social Cohesion Department of Manusher Jonno Foundation.

The programme is being implemented under the 'Nagorikata: Civic Engagement Fund (CEF)' programme, funded by Switzerland, Canada and the European Union and implemented by Manusher Jonno Foundation.

ASUS, a partner of the Lighthouse Consortium, is cooperating in the programme.

In his welcome speech, Rajkumar Shaw said that enacting a law alone does not ensure the rights of citizens; its effective implementation is also essential.

A realistic and accessible legal framework must be established so that victims of discrimination can easily access legal aid and obtain remedies.

In the keynote paper, Wasiur Rahman Tanmoy said that although the Constitution and various policies pledge equality, there is still no integrated law in the country to prevent and address discrimination.

Speakers at the dialogue said that the proposed law must contain provisions ensuring a clear definition of discrimination, an accessible complaint mechanism, effective remedies, protection of affected persons and accountability.

Alongside this, effective initiatives to change discriminatory social behaviour and a strong monitoring system for law enforcement need to be established.

In her presidential speech, Wahida Yasmin said that the real-life experiences of marginalized communities shared at the dialogue would play an important role in the formulation and implementation of the proposed law.

The dialogue was attended by Rajshahi University professors Mobarak Siddiqui and Abdul Alim, Deputy Director of Rajshahi Information Office Nafeyala Nasrin, Chief Legal Aid Officer of Chapainawabganj Asma Mahmud, Rajshahi Judge Court lawyer Syed Shamsunnahar Mukti and Executive Director of RULFAO Afzal Hossain.

Executive Director of BIUP Faizullah Chowdhury, President of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad Rajshahi Kalpana Roy, Editor of Daily Sonar Desh Akbarul Hasan Millat, and government officials, lawyers, human rights activists, journalists and representatives of various marginalized communities were also present.