Speakers at an inaugural session of a training on “Rights to Information (RTI) Act as a Tool to Promote Rights of Transgender and Hijra Community” urged to enact a comprehensive law to protect and promote the rights of transgender and Hijra community.
It is the duty of the government to protect and defend the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all people, including gender-diversified citizens, by laws and practices, according to a press release issued on Sunday.
The three-day training was organized by ARTICLE 19 South Asia in Dhaka on Sunday.
Dr Kamal Uddin Ahmed, chairman of Bangladesh National Human Rights Commission, inaugurated the training.
Discussants included Cor Stouten, First Secretary, Political Affairs, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Dhaka, Bangladesh, David Diaz-Jogeix, International Senior Director of Programs, ARTICLE 19, Advocate Ruhi Naz, Assistant Director (RTI), Research Initiatives Bangladesh (RIB), Ho Chi Minh Islam, Goodwill Ambassador for Transgender Rights, No Passport Voice while Faruq Faisel, Regional Director for ARTICLE 19 South Asia, moderated the inaugural session.
Moriom Shelly, Senior Program Officer at ARTICLE 19 highlighted the organization's activities to protect and promote the rights of the transgender and Hijra community.
Thirty people of transgender and Hijra communities from 30 Community-Based Organizations (CBO) working to promote and protect the rights of transgender and Hijra communities across the country are attending the training.
They will be provided three days of intensive training to sensitize and inform them about the processes involved in accessing information from authorities.
The trainees will take the acquired knowledge to local people and the community to ensure increased demand for information by making further use of the RTI Act 2009.
Dr Kamal Uddin Ahmed, Chairman of Bangladesh National Human Rights Commission (NHRCB), said: “There are lot of scope to work for the rights of transgender and Hijra community people. Bangladesh's constitution guarantees equal rights for all. NHRCB has a dedicated committee titled ‘Committee on Dalit, Hijra, Religious, Ethnic, Non-citizen and other excluded minorities' rights' for the protection and promotion of the rights of transgender and Hijra community. NHRCB will advocate with the government for the fullest attainment of their rights.”
Cor Stouten, First Secretary, Political Affairs, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Dhaka, Bangladesh, said: “Bangladesh government has recognised transgender and hijra communities in national identity cards and passports. Bangladesh is ahead of most countries in the world in this regard. It is very commendable.”
David Diaz-Jogeix, International Senior Director of Programs, ARTICLE 19, said: “Recently, the government of Spain enacted a legislation to recognize and protect the rights of transgender people. Transgender and Hijra communities need to be vocal about their rights. Any attempt to bring change in the society comes with obstacles but we have to overcome these obstacles and move forward.”
Ho Chi Minh Islam, Goodwill Ambassador for Transgender Rights, No Passport Voice, said: “Bangladesh is ahead of many South Asian countries including India and Pakistan in various fields. These countries have laws for transgender and Hijra communities and boards to protect their rights, but not in Bangladesh. Leadership development of people working for the transgender and Hijra community through fellowships, leadership training and exchange programs is important.”
Parboti Ahmed, President, Sustha Jibon, said: “Sustha Jibon works on human rights, health and legal support for the transgender and Hijra communities."
Arifa Yesmin Moyari, President, Siri Samaj Kalyan Sangtha, said: “The Deputy Commissioner and other officials coming to the event organized for transgender and Hijra community people do not have a clear idea about us. Even the organisations that work for our rights do not want to employ us in their organizations. Our Community Based Organizations are unable to function due to lack of necessary financial support. We were discouraged to participate in the election of seats reserved for women in the local government saying that they are reserved for women. Political parties should nominate us for the seats reserved for women in Parliament so that we can make our voices heard in the National Parliament.”
Md Shoel Ahmed (Julie), Treasurer, Diner Alo Hijra Songho, said: “There are many entrepreneurs of transgender and hijra community in different districts of the country. We can play a positive role in the development of the country if we get the necessary support for business expansion.”
Mustofa Sarkar Bijly, President, Bachar Asha Sangiskritik Songgothon, said: “Official recognition of transgender and hijra community people has a lot of sacrifices. We must all stand united to protect our rights.”
Faruq Faisel, Regional Director for ARTICLE 19 South Asia, said: “In Bangladesh, transgender and Hijra community people and other sexual diversified people face plenty of stigmas and are disenfranchised due to the lack of legal protection or cultural biases. Ensuring the rights of all individuals to be free to be who they are and love whom they choose requires a tolerant society.”