Dhaka, May 11 – The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has decided to move the court as it feels the people’s right to medical treatment has been violated. The decision was taken at an online meeting on Sunday with NHRC Chairperson Nasima Begum in the chair. The online meeting aimed at continuing regular activities of the commission amid a general holiday to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
A full-time member of the commission Dr Kamal Uddin Ahmed, unpaid member Dr Nomita Haldar, Jesmin Ara Begum, Mizanur Rahman Khan and Chingkiu Royaza attended the meeting, said NHRC Public Relations Officer Farhana Syead.
The participants discussed various news items on people being deprived of their right to medical treatment.
In particular, the case of Rebecca Sultana Chowdhury and Additional Secretary Gautam Sarkar who recently died without treatment as hospitals refused to admit them.
Participants of the meeting said the incidents were inhumane and strongly condemned them.
The commission decided to file a writ petition as medical services are not ensured due to “indifference and irresponsibility of some institutions or individuals”.
In addition, the meeting discussed steps taken by NHRC over increasing violence against women and children during the coronavirus situation and violation of human rights by law enforcement and administration officials.
The meeting also discussed the distribution of relief material worth around Tk 1 crore among 84,000 families, and 1,570 individuals. The fund was provided from the Human Rights Programme in collaboration with UNDP.
Participants of the meeting also discussed distribution of allocated budget for 2020-21 fiscal year. – UNB
