Editorial
Indigenous peoples need dignity and space
Australian apology to ethnic minority an eye-opener
CULTURAL diversity is one of the major ideas that underpin societies in our times. There is a growing acknowledgement worldwide of the traditional rights of indigenous communities, a point that has engaged the attention of such global bodies as the United Nations. The latest instance of how ethnic diversity constitutes a crucial component of national culture as well as global realities comes through the formal apology offered by the new Australian government of Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to Australia's ethnic minority. Without question, the step takes Australia to a new path in politics because it formally endorses the idea of an inclusive society that will be the priority from here on.
Interestingly enough, indeed as a matter of coincidence, the issue of cultural and ethnic diversity is what we in Bangladesh have also been emphasising over the last many years. The most recent example of it has come through the launch on Wednesday of eleven books covering eleven ethnic communities and dealing with their customary laws vis-à-vis dispute resolution. The fact that there is now a growing recognition in Bangladesh that ethnic minorities matter, that indeed a democratic and secular dispensation is all about inclusivity, is an idea that cheers all of us. It is another way of saying that the stereotyped way in which cultural and other minorities have been looked upon so long will now need to make way for a more enlightened approach. It will just not do for us to ignore the long historical traditions that Bangladesh's indigenous people have been heir to. It is from such convictions that we think the publication of the books is a major step towards building a country where all citizens, across the board, will matter. The caveat, though, is that we cannot rest complacent on a mere recognition of ethnic rights. There must be follow-up action and that can only happen through making it possible for citizens from the ethnic groups to play their full role in the various sectors of society.
We, therefore, endorse the idea that the country's ethnic minorities need to be governed on the basis of their customs and social mores. That is the principle behind the publication of the books on Wednesday. And our endorsement is strongly based on the understanding that a composite culture is one which does not promote one group of people at the expense of another. By ensuring that indigenous Bangladeshis have space for themselves and enjoy full social, political and constitutional rights, we will only be promoting a greater sense of social cohesion amongst ourselves.
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