A former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the chairman of Empowerment through Law of the Common People (Elcop), Prof Dr Mizanur Rahman, has said the current situation of minorities in Bangladesh is a burning example of communal harmony.
Communal harmony has improved compared to previous times, he said at an international seminar titled “The Situation of Minorities in Bangladesh: Issues and Outlook” on Thursday.
Mizanur Rahman said minorities are no longer tortured or harassed in Bangladesh.
“The government and law enforcement agencies are very vocal, and the people of our country are now very tolerant; all communities in Bangladesh are living with equal dignity,” said the Elcop chairman.
“Although we have differences in religion and culture, there is no difference in mutual relation and respect. However, we must raise our voice against the politics of communalism, terrorism and fundamentalism in all their different incarnations, cast the manipulators of politics into the dustbin of history,” Prof Mizanur Rahman noted.
Elcop Research Consultant Arefin Mizan presented the keynote paper at the seminar.
The research paper highlighted the historical context of minority populations in Bangladesh.
A comparative analysis shows that the government is taking measures to control the rate of repression against minorities, which was absent in 2001.
At the event, participants emphasized the current situation of minorities in Bangladesh.
They highlighted the recent misinformation spread in international media about the persecution of minorities in Bangladesh under the current government.
Speakers called for appropriate steps to be taken from the primary level of education so that every citizen of Bangladesh can be educated to be tolerant and compassionate towards all religions.
They also expressed concern about the security of religious and ethnic minorities during the election.
The participants urged political parties to take effective measures to ensure equal status and security of minorities during all kinds of polls.
The seminar was attended by representatives and eminent academicians from various countries including the US, UK, European Union, India, Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar, among others.
