Drishtipat, a London-based global human rights watchdog on Bangladesh, yesterday placed some recommendations before the newly elected government, says a press release.
“We urge the incoming government to deliver on an election manifesto that promised economic and human security for all citizens,” said Asif Saleh, executive director of Drishtipat, a global human rights watchdog on Bangladesh.
“We believe this is a unique and historic moment for Bangladesh to respond to the needs and demands of all her citizens and not just a few,” added Saleh, while releasing a charter of demands.
The Charter for Rights issued by Drishtipat specifically focused on five key areas. They are ensuring rule of law, various economic and cultural rights, rights of expatriate Bangladeshis and religious and ethnic minorities and rights of those threatened by global warming.
Drishtipat also demanded immediate steps to try the war criminals by working with Sector Commanders' Forum, legal experts, forensic scientists and organisations that have been involved in documentation process over the last 37 years.
It said that the trial must begin now along with investigations of various other political and extrajudicial deaths from the past and recommended it to be spearheaded by a strong, empowered, independent National Human Rights Commission.
Drishtipat also called for repealing various black laws like vested properties act, which has, in various times, disenfranchised all citizens, and especially the minorities.
It also demanded full implementation of Chittagong Hill Tracts Accord 1997, with priority given to withdrawal of security camps from the region.
Highlighting the rights of the global diaspora, Drishtipat called for voting rights for all Bangladeshis citizens around the world and demanded specific actions to protect the rights and dignity of millions of migrant workers, whose remittance is a key pillar of the country's economy.
It stressed the government argue the case of impact of climate change on Bangladesh from a position of strength in the international forums, and from a point of view of basic economic rights of millions of people.
It also highlighted the need for the adaptation fund created for Bangladesh to be managed by a national body rather than any international donor agency.
Drishtipat hopes that by taking concrete measures on these recommendations on its first hundred days, the government would show a real commitment to change from the way government has done business in the past.