Administration must shed prejudices first

The administration must shake off the prejudices against indigenous women and girls for ensuring their security, speakers told a seminar on "Security of Indigenous Women and Girls: Promises of Government in UPR" yesterday.

Organised jointly by ActionAid Bangladesh, Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples' Forum, and Kapaeeng Foundation at The Daily Star Centre in the capital, the participants also discussed the government's position on the recommendations, related to indigenous women, received from the second cycle of the United Nations Human Rights Council's Universal Periodic Review (UPR).

Apparently, the overall condition of women in the country did not improve following the government's pledge to enforce "zero tolerance against violence against women and children", said Chaitali Tripura, joint convener of Bangladesh Indigenous Women's Network.

Chaitali said violence against indigenous women and children increased twofold between 2013 and 2014 and in last five months, while 35 indigenous women and children were subjected to violence, rape, abduction and murder.

"We still have not received any answer about why police delayed recording the case of the Garo woman who was raped on May 21 and had to go from one police station to another to file the complaint," said Kamrun Nahar of Naripokkho, referring to a  High Court rule questioning the delay.

Barrister Nawmi Naz Chowdhury of Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST) mentioned the lack of coordination among the government's helpline service, victim support centre, and one-stop crisis centre.

"When a victim calls the helpline number, she is often asked to contact the nearest police station but not a victim support centre which also can record a complaint," she said.

Khushi Kabir, Nijera Kori's coordinator, said the case relating to the abduction of indigenous women's leader Kalpana Chakma, which has been pending for 19 years, reveals the state's attitude towards Adivasis. She also said the government must be pressurised to deliver on its promises before the next UPR in 2017.

Prof Mizanur Rahman, chairman of National Human Rights Commission, urged the government to establish a separate land commission for "plain land indigenous communities" and fully implement the Chittagong Hill Tracts peace accord.

A report titled "State of UPR Progression 2014 Bangladesh's Indigenous People's Perspective" was launched at the programme where Prothom Alo Joint Editor Sohrab Hasan also spoke.