Protect fundamental rights of sex workers
Rights activists urge govt
Barrister Sara Hossain, honourary director of Bangladesh Legal Aid and Service Trust, speaks at a seminar titled 'Laws, practice and human rights of sex workers' organised by HIV/AIDS and STD Alliance Bangladesh (HASAB) at the capital's Brac Centre Inn yesterday. On her left are Dainik Samakal Managing Editor Abu Sayeed Khan, Additional Inspector General of Criminal Investigation Department Mokhlesur Rahman and HASAB Executive Director Amzad Ali.Photo: STAR
The government should take effective initiatives to stop harassment of sex workers and protect their fundamental rights, some rights activists demanded at a seminar yesterday. An excluded section of the society, sex workers are deprived of basic rights, including health care, education, sanitation, and access to justice, they said and laid emphasis also on change in social views to end those discriminations against them. On allegation that police routinely harass sex workers, Mokhlesur Rahman, additional inspector general of Criminal Investigation Department (CID), told the seminar that policemen would be trained so that they became more aware of human rights, women rights and child rights. Rahman, who was speaking as chief guest, stressed the need for changing the legal structure of police department to make the force more people-friendly. Barrister Sara Hossain, honorary director, Bangladesh Legal Aid and Service Trust (Blast), presented the keynote paper at the seminar, "Laws, practice and human rights of sex workers", organised by HIV/AIDS and STD Alliance Bangladesh (HASAB) in support with Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) at the capital's Brac Centre Inn. Sara said sex workers had to pass their days under the constant threat of eviction and arrest. "They bear so much hatred of our society that they are not allowed burial rites". She recommended arranging public dialogue to create awareness about their rights, updating laws and ensuring access to services for them. Shaheen Anam, executive director of MJF, said the culture to exclude sex workers, persons with disabilities, and Dalit communities should be changed to protect their rights. She emphasised prevention of underage girls from being involved in sex work. HASAB Executive Director Amzad Ali chaired the seminar, while Dainik Samakal Managing Editor Abu Sayeed Khan, ATN Bangla Chief Reporter Shahnaz Munni, Nari Mukti Sangha President Rozi Begum, among others, spoke on the occasion.
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