Anti-discrimination law in offing: Inu

The government is planning to enact an anti-discrimination law to protect marginalised communities of the country, said Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu yesterday.

He was addressing a seminar on "Voices of the marginalised" organised by four NGOs at a convention centre in the capital.

Inu urged the media to create awareness among the public regarding the rights of marginalised people.

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Chairman Prof Mizanur Rahman said the state is responsible for establishing rights of the underprivileged people in the society.

Last year, the Law Commission and the NHRC started formulating the draft of the anti-discriminatory law.

Some people of the marginalised  communities and representatives from the four NGOs---Campaign for Popular Education (Campe), Sightsavers, HelpAge International and ADD International-- also spoke at the programme.

The NGOs said the number of elderly people, now 1.15 crore, will rise. By 2025, people above 60 are projected to constitute nine percent of the total population, they added.