Leaders of Ain O Salish Kendra have demanded a fair investigation into the attack on minority communities in various parts of the country and punishment for the attackers.
The demand came at a discussion in the capital’s Chhayanot Sangskriti Bhaban yesterday to mark the 14th death anniversary of Sufia Kamal, a renowned poet and a pioneer of women’s rights movement in Bangladesh.
The leaders of the rights organisation also condemned the communal violence against the minorities at Ramu upazila in Cox’s Bazar, Lalmonirhat, Barisal and Sathia upazila in Pabna.
Motahar Akondo, senior deputy director of Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK) said: “War criminals are the instigators of communal violence. People should come forward and demand an execution of the verdict of war criminals.”
Human rights activist and Executive Director of ASK Sultana Kamal said: “Sufia Kamal had always raised her voice against communal violence. We should follow her paths to stop such attack on minority people.”
She added that the country had been passing through political crises. The government and other party leaders should not take any unfair decision that would go against human rights.
“It is high time we established the rights of every single human being.”
The speakers called upon all conscious citizens to promote communal harmony in their respective neighbourhood following the ideals of Sufia Kamal.
Dr Fauzia Muslim, a women rights activist of Bangladesh Mohila Parishad said, apart from human rights, the rights of women were yet to be ensured.
“We demand that the women be given opportunities to vie for direct elections to those reserved seats for women.”
Women’s rights activist and former general secretary of Bangladesh Mohila Parishad Maleka Begum said Sufia Kamal had taught fundamentalism and human rights could not stand together.
Among others, Human rights activist and ASK founder Dr Hamida Hossain, author and publisher Mufidul Haque and others were present at the programme.
