Many forms of discrimination persist despite constitutional safeguards: Sara Hossain
Although the Constitution prohibits discrimination on five specific grounds, many other forms of discrimination persist in society, said Barrister Sara Hossain, executive director of the Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (Blast) today (8 November).
"The state is constitutionally obligated to take special measures for disadvantaged groups, yet this is not being implemented. Rights to health, education, and employment remain unfulfilled. Many individuals face multiple layers of discrimination," she said.
She made the remarks while speaking at a civic dialogue on formulating an Anti-Discrimination Act held at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center, jointly organised by Citizen's Platform for SDGs, Bangladesh; the Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (Blast); and Citizen's Initiative, with support from the UNDP and the Embassy of Switzerland.
Sara Hossain further noted that quota systems are internationally recognised as temporary measures to ensure equality until genuine parity is achieved.
She urged political parties to make a clear commitment in their election manifestos to enact the Anti-Discrimination Act and place it before Parliament after the upcoming national elections.
Citizen's Platform Convener and CPD Distinguished Fellow Debapriya Bhattacharya chaired the dialogue.