United Nations Special Rapporteur on Violence Against Women Rashida Manjoo has said the demands of Hifazat-e Islam over women’s’ rights in Bangladesh run counter to the constitution.
Published : 29 May 2013, 05:23 PM
She says it is the government that needs to act against the 13-point charter of demands the Islamic organisation announced from a rally at Dhaka’s Motijheel on Apr 5.
Their demands include curbing women’s right as they have asked to repeal the National Women Development Policy and a ban of free mixing of sexes in public.
The hitherto little-known Hifazat, a madrasa-based organisation also demanded a ban on all imprudence, misconduct, adultery, lighting of candles in the name of individual rights and freedom of speech.
That day not a single woman had turned up in the rally, but female journalists came under their attack when they went there to cover their event, which clearly shows their attitudes towards women.
Addressing a press conference organised by the UN mission in Bangladesh at Lakeshore Hotel in the capital, Manjoo said she had been informed of the Hifazat’s 13-point charter of demands.
“The demands they made in their 13-point charter, including banning male-female free mixing, is not consistent with the Constitution. Bangladesh’s Constitution ensures equal rights for men and women.”
She said it is the responsibility of the government to remove obstacles in the path of women advancement and take steps to protect their rights.