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Mainstream people's support vital for protection of ethnic minority rights

Speakers tell seminar

Staff Correspondent
Mainstream people's support is vital for protection of rights of the indigenous people, speakers al a seminar said yesterday.
Human rights movement will not succeed unless fundamental needs of the poor and ethnic groups are addressed first, they added
Brotee, an NGO, organised the seminar tilled 'A Human Rights Framework for Social Change: An Alternative Approach' at Brae Centre Inn in the city to present a report on the progress of its project Setubandhan, a village move rnent to protect human rights and dignity of the ultra poor and vulnerable communities.
Human rights activist Dr Harnida Hossain said the state takes side of the majority people and an imbalance of power between the majority and minority facilitates repression pn the minority by the majority.
Shaheen Anam, executive
dircclor of Manushcr Jonno Foundation, said the mainstream people should protect the rights of the minority groups and that there should be a harmony between the mainstream people and the minority ethnic groups
She called on the government to come up with immediate plans to prevent the encroachment on the lands of the indigenous people.
She also said that poverty and the absence of social security are two major reasons
behind the child marriage.
Land Minister Rezaul Karim Hira said die rights of all would be protected under the existing laws, instead of special arrangements
Most of the files submitted to the land ministry arc of the affluent people, he said, adding that politicians and wealthy businessmen exert pressure on the ministry for disposal of files
He also said the vested property act would be finalised by December.
In her keynote presentation. Brotee Chief Executive Sharmeen Murshid said they undertook the Setubandhan project for a social movement for the ultra poor, marginal and ethnic groups who lack basic needs.
The six-year project began in 2004, covering 18 villages. The number increased to 36 in Tanor, Mohadevpur and Manda Upazilas of Rajshahi and Naogaon districts by the end of2008.
During the period, initiatives were taken to stop dowry and child marriage, provide sanitation facilities, construct roads and distribute educational materials among the poor students.
A number of indigenous people attended the seminar chaired by noted litterateur Selina Hossain.