Even though much progress has been made in ensuring rights of the small ethnic communities, activists say that the plight of the Dalits and flatland communities has been largely ignored.
Promotion and protection of their constitutional rights, human dignity, and social inclusion needs to addressed from an institutional perspective.
According to a Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) survey, Bangladesh has a population of approximately 5.5 million Dalits and 2.5 million members of flatland ethnic communities.
Experts on Human Rights Day on Monday said the struggle for their right to land, education and employment seems to be a never-ending journey because of the discrimination they face socially and institutionally.
Sanjeeb Drong, general secretary of Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples’ Forum told the Dhaka Tribune that ethnic minorities on flatlands are hardly able to exercise their right to their own land because they cannot get bank loans.
It is extremely difficult to obtain loans because most of them do not have any immovable property to mortgage with the bank.
“Having a simpler loan scheme and government procedures would help as most of them are uneducated,” Drong said adding that vocational training and effective policy would help in their economic and social inclusion.
National Human Rights Commission, Bangladesh (NHRC,B) Chairman Kazi Reazul Huq in a discussion program arranged by NHRC to observe the day at Hotel Intercontinental said this year is marked with the theme – Stand Up For Human Rights.
“Without ensuring the rights for these people, inclusive development of the country can never be possible,” he said.
Prime minister’s International Affairs Adviser Professor Gowher Rizvi at a recently held national convention – “Ensuring Rights of Flatlands Adibashis and Dalit Communities in light of the Constitutional Obligation” said the development of these communities has been disproportional to that of mainstream society.
Former chair of NHRC, Professor Mizanur Rahman said the government should enact the anti-discrimination law immediately.
Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative Mia Seppo in her address said the government should take into consideration the recommendations of UPR and other international human rights reports including the Universal Declaration on Human Rights of the these small ethnic communities.
“But now as they are becoming involved with alternative livelihood options, they are having more access to the society,” she said adding: “More coordinated development projects are needed in order to combat the impact of climate change on these communities”.
Bangladesh is considered one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change.
Cultural Affairs Minister Asaduzzaman Noor, Human Rights Activist Sultana Kamal, Coordinator of Nijera Kori Khushi Kabir, HEKS/EPER Country Director Anik Asad, Shishir Shil, Secretary General of APPGS, Dalit and Adibashi leaders Sanjeeb Drong, and Rabindranath Soren among others were also present at the convention.
At the convention a declaration with eight important issues was made including – creating a separate ministry and a commission, land commission for the Dalits and flatland ethnic minorities, incorporating flatland minorities in the election manifesto, introducing special quota system for Dalits and ethnic minorities, and undertaking special educational activities.