Awareness about rights
Unfortunately
in many cases due to lack of awareness people are unable
to bring cases to
the concerned authorities. Even more unfortunately there is this lack of
a culture of respect for fundamental rights
Awareness is the first and the most important step in guaranteeing any right. When people know that something is their right, they are ready to fight for it, protect it and get it. If one is aware of that something belongs to them, they do not even miss it; and that is what is happening in many cases. It can be safely said that most Bangladeshis are not even aware of their rights, under the constitution and laws or the states obligations under international law.
A major section of the dominant political culture considers concern for human rights as a Western phenomenon. The struggle for respecting human rights is mostly limited to NGOs with the mainstream political parties not giving it the importance it deserves. Any talk of democracy and rule of law without fundamental rights is meaningless. In fact the three go hand in hand, supporting, promoting and protecting each other; nay are necessary prerequisites for each other.
Human beings created state and organized collective life to survive better as a race. Ensuring these fundamental rights is the main justification for the state. All state policies and laws must be educated and guided by human rights considerations. Every law, every policy must be weighed along with its cost and benefit in the specific field that they are designed for by the impact they will have of human rights. That is a requirement and principle that is based in the purpose and justification of any given state or any other human entity.
Unfortunately in many cases due to lack of awareness people are unable to bring cases to the concerned authorities. Even more unfortunately there is this lack of a culture of respect for fundamental rights among a section of powerful people that deprives the citizens of this republic from enjoying fundamental rights.
Information is a key to secure legal rights. The constitution of ensures the freedom of expression and all citizens must be treated equally. It is important to use simple language while creating awareness on legal rights at local level. The rule of law is imperative to make the government and its functionaries accountable. The government must work to protect human rights and dispense justice.
We urge the concerned authorities to ensure that all citizens are given legal rights without any discrimination.
