With the slogan “Among the Race Diversity in Bangladesh, we all will stay together”, Satkhira Human Rights Defender Groups’ conference 2019 held in Satkhira district on 22 February, 2019. The conference was orgnaised by Relief International; a US based international NGO with the financial support of European Union.
The conference was inaugurated by Adv. Mustafa Lutfullah- Member of Parliament, Satkhira-1, with releasing balloons and pigeons as the sign of peace along with the national anthem. After the inauguration, discussion session took place chaired by Babu Gopal Chandra Munda – President, Kalinchi Human Rights Defender Group with the participation of guests such as the Adv. Mustafa Lutfullah- Member of Parliament, Satkhira-1; Ashek-e-Alahi, Editor, Daily Dokkhiner Moshal; Dibashish Sordar- Deputy Director of Department of Social Welfare, Satkhira; Md. Abdul Quader- Additional Director of the Department of Youth Development, Satkhira; MM Kabir Mamun, Program Manager, Relief International; Principal Abu Ahmed, President of Satkhira Press Club; Momtaj Ahmed Bapi- General Secretary of Satkhira Press Club; Jhorna Begum- Nagarghata Union Parishad Member; Krishnapada Munda, Executive Director, Sundarban Adibasi Munda Sangstha (SAMS); Indigenous Human Rights Defender group leaders and members and others. The conference was facilitated by Dipankar Saha, Senior Program officer, Relief International and Nisat Tasnim, Program Associate, Relief International.
The speakers proposed to work together for the development of indigenous people in Satkhira along with ensuring their rights protection. Chief Guest Adv. Mustafa Lutfullah- Honourable Member of Parliament, Satkhira-1, said that, Bangladesh got independence after the blood flowing war of independence in 1971. Then after passing long anti dictatorship protests, Bangladesh is now walking on the way of democracy. By financial development Bangladesh is now enlisted into the lower middle income countries coming from the list of under developed countries. The government is working for the development of indigenous people. But they also need to come forward for their own development. The speakers of the discussion session expressed that the Indigenous people are the variety of Bangladesh. Their rights and cultures need to be protected. We all are the citizens of Bangladesh. Now, it is time to walk together. In this developing period of the country, indigenous people and Bangali people need to come forward together to build that Bangladesh which was dreamt in the war of independence.
The leaders of Indigenous Human rights Defender groups presented their Satkhira Declaration 2019 in the discussion session. By the declaration 2019, they took oath for continuing the Human Rights protection activities along with continuing the development of the indigenous people of the district. The event was brought to end by gorgeous indigenous traditional cultural show performed by the Munda Indigenous cultural team.
