European Parliament conference on Protecting Minorities of South Asia with Bangladesh Minority Watch (BDMW) concluded successfully on 08 December 2011. Global Human Rights Defense (GHRD) organised a conference in association with European Parliament on 8th December, 2011 at Brussel to discuss the ways and means to protect Rights of Minorities in South Asia. The conference was successful. Many Human Rights organization including Bangladesh Minority Watch (BDMW) participated in the conference. The Event hosted by Swedish MEP Cecilia Wikstrom provides a forum for interaction and dialogue between local grassroots Human Rights defenders in South Asia, and the European Institutions and networks involved with policy and agenda setting. Ms. Taslima Nasreen, Bangladeshi writer in exile was present on the occasion and gave excellent presentation on human rights of Minorities in Bangladesh which was applauded by thousands of participants in the hall.

Bangladesh Minority Watch (BDMW) played an excellent role upholding the present human rights situation of Bangladlesh Minorities in the Parliament. They also met some key European Parliamentarian who seem to be more desirous to know about the present HR situation of Bangladesh and assured that they would try to press upon the Government of Bangladesh to help empowering the destitute Minorities of Bangladesh.

Bangladesh Minority Watch focuses on the investigation on incidents of Human Rights violations against Minorities on the basis of reports in the newspapers. In a largely free and fair press a sharp rise in communal atrocities upto 13th November,2011 has been observed. BDMW also brought to the attention of the Chair that the Vested Property Amendment Bill,2011 passed in such a manner should be amended in terms of judgments of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh (DLR 56 and DLR-58) and also recommending Minority Human Rights Commission and a separate cell for Minority Welfare.

The opening session started at about 9 a.m. presided over by Ms.Cecilia Wikstrom, MEP Swedish Liberal Party, ALDE Group.

In the first sessions Speakers were:1)  Rabindra Ghosh- founder of Bangladesh Minority Watch , 2) Shahanur Islam, founder of Justice Makers of Bangladesh, and, 3) Ms. Taslima Nasreen, Bangladeshi writer in exile.

In the Second sessions Mr. Naveed Walter, President and Founder of Human Rights Focus in Pakistan and Mr. Ramesh Rao (Ph.D), Human rights Coordinator, Hindu American Foundation, USA and Mr.Ram Chettri, Founder of Bhutanese Advocacy Forum addressed the conference.

In the Third Sessions Ms. Anuradha Koirala, founder of MAITI Nepal, CNN Hero 2010, Ms.Jenny Lundstrom, Human Rights Officer of GHRD were the Moderators of the conference.  There was a bilateral dfiscussion with the Members of Parliamenrt in Brussels in the evening. The conference ended with thanks to the Chair.

Courtesy: Rabindra Ghosh, Founder President-Bangladesh Minority Watch (BDMW)

www.bdmw.org  (From Brussels)