State terrorism, bad political culture responsible for HR violation

They said lack of concern for human rights and uncompromising attitude among the political parties lead to political violence which disturbs educational, financial and other activities worsening the condition of poor.

In the wake of such realities, the speakers suggested practice of democracy within the political parties, reforms in the Election Commission and inclusion of human rights issues in school textbooks.

The seminar titled 'Human rights exercise in political culture: We want compromise and normal movements of people' was organised by Sushashoner Jonno Procharavijan (Supro), meaning campaign for good governance, at the National Press Club marking the World Human Rights Day.

"State terrorism means abuse of power, which is the major enemy of human rights. Those who formulate bad laws are responsible for disturbing peace," said top Awami League leader Abul Mal Abdul Muhit.

Most people do not like the politicians, as they abuse power and engage themselves in corruption, he said, citing an example that army deployment in aid of civil administration is nothing wrong, but the attitude of President Iajuddin Ahmed is more autocratic than that of Yahya or Tikka Khan of then West Pakistan.

"I will be the victim if I protest the president's decision of army deployment. This is a state terrorism," he added.

Protests, rallies, differences of opinions are natural phenomena in democracy, but why should these happen in the form of violence, questioned Supro Secretariat head Aminur Rasul Babul.

In his presentation Babul said, "We must respect the normal life of people in our political culture. Putting citizens at the opposition will never harvest good results for the political parties."

They also should avoid uncompromising attitude, he said, adding that taking the advantage of political impasse, the foreign capitalist forces might take the control of ruling the country, which will be a threat to national sovereignty.

Referring to the theme of this year's Human Rights Day 'Fighting poverty as a matter of obligation, not of charity', Mohammad Zakaria of Supro said all the achievements would be meaningless if poverty cannot be alleviated from the country.

He said the government should immediately start implementing the pledges that it made by signing the UN instruments. This includes separation of judiciary, establishing rule of law and democracy and strengthening the movement against terrorism and corruption.

AL leader Dr Abdur Razzak said poverty alleviation is not possible unless equal distribution of resources is ensured. "Only 10 percent people enjoy 35 percent resources of the country. The gap between the poor and the rich has also widened significantly," he said.

This advantaged group neither reveals their income sources nor pays taxes duly, he said, adding that development is meaningful only when all people have opportunities to get its share.

Former BNP lawmaker Moazzem Hossain Alal said it is not only the politicians who are responsible for irregularities and underdevelopment, but their fault is always emphasised, which is not fair.

Both the people and politicians have responsibilities in democracy, he said, adding that people criticise a lawmaker if he drives a car, but they do not criticise a businessman who buys 10 cars even being a defaulter in the bank.

Former BNP lawmaker Tasneem Rana, Advocate Suprio Chakroborti, Shahdat Hossain Chowdhury of Prodip, an NGO, and Imam Uddin of Peoples Health Movement also spoke at the seminar moderated by Supro Secretary Rezaul Karim Chowdhury.