Noted political and legal analysts, along with civil society leaders, emphasized the critical role of eliminating discrimination to ensure the sustainability of democracy. During a discussion organized by the Citizen’s Platform for SDGs, Bangladesh, in collaboration with the Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST), Manusher Jonno Foundation, and Nagorik Uddyog (Citizen’s Initiative), SR Osmani, a professor of Development Economics at the University of Ulster, highlighted the detrimental impact of discrimination on democracy.
Osmani stressed that the persistence of discrimination could undermine democracy by causing institutional breakdowns. He warned that even with institutional safeguards, the threat of institutional obstacles and their permanence remains uncertain. Emphasizing the need for the public to protect their power, he noted that past experiences have shown how institutions have been compromised for partisan and individual gains.
The discussion also addressed the link between socio-economic disparities, political power differentials, and the erosion of democracy. It was noted that ongoing discrimination not only obstructs justice and reform but also poses a significant risk to democratic principles and development efforts.
Debapriya Bhattacharya, convener of the Citizen’s Platform for SDGs, echoed the importance of anti-discrimination efforts in upholding justice and fostering citizen empowerment. Recognizing that effective reform hinges on safeguarding citizens’ rights, he called for the enactment of an anti-discrimination law to prevent the decay of democracy.
Shaheen Anam, executive director of Manusher Jonno Foundation, highlighted the civil society’s long-standing advocacy for an anti-discrimination law to address various forms of societal biases. Despite the approval of a draft law by the cabinet in 2022, its passage was stalled, delaying the realization of a non-discriminatory society envisioned in the Liberation War and the July uprising.
Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman emphasized the constitutional principle of equality among citizens and decried the rise of divisions based on religion and political affiliations. He urged society to break free from such divisive trends and work towards a more inclusive and equitable social system.