Attorney General urges political parties to commit to anti-discrimination law

Attorney General Mohammad Asaduzzaman has urged political parties to pledge to enact an anti-discrimination law. He made the call as the chief guest at a citizens’ dialogue on the formulation of an anti-discrimination law, held at the Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre on Saturday, November 8.

He said, “If political parties are not committed to enacting this law, they should not expect our votes. We need a strong law, because a vague law cannot provide justice. We must compel the Law Commission and the Ministry of Law to act on this issue.”

The dialogue was organised by Citizens’ Platform for SDGs, Bangladesh, Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST), and Citizens’ Initiative, with support from UNDP and the Embassy of Switzerland.

Praising the organisers for this noble initiative, the Attorney General said, “This event aligns with my thoughts, emotions, hopes, and aspirations.”

Describing Bangladesh’s constitution as one of the best in the world, Attorney General Mohammad Asaduzzaman said, “The foundation of my belief lies in the constitution achieved through the great Liberation War.”

The event was chaired by Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, convener of the Citizens’ Platform and distinguished fellow of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD). The keynote paper was presented by BLAST Executive Director and senior legal expert Barrister Sara Hossain.

Among others, Supreme Court Bar Association President Barrister A M Mahbub Uddin Khokon, NCP Joint Convener Khalid Saifullah, Gano Forum Acting President Subrata Chowdhury, Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) General Secretary Abdullah Al Kafi Ratan, economist Dr S R Osmani, UNDP Bangladesh Senior Adviser Dragan Popovic, and Manusher Jonno Foundation Executive Director Shaheen Anam spoke at the dialogue.