Please don't criminalise the homeless
Photo: SAAD SHAHRIAR / DRIKNEWS
On August 25, 2011, with little debate or public consultation, the Bangladesh Jatiya Sangsad (parliament) passed the Vagrant and Shelterless Persons (rehabilitation) Act 2011. Even our civil society did not discuss the issue much. Under this law, police and magistrates will be authorised to arrest and detain suspected vagrants for up to two years in rehabilitation centers. If the suspects leave these centres, they can be jailed for up to three months. The Daily Star reported that the shelters "would be operated with money earned by the vagabonds themselves." There are reports of torture and sexual abuse at these centres. It is estimated that at least seven million Bangladeshis would be defined as vagrants under this new law. Human rights organisations have declared the law a violation of the right to life, personal freedom, freedom of occupation, and human dignity. Criminalising the homeless is inhuman. We protest this violation of the rights of the poor.
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