Ensuring basic rights of Bede people

According to a survey, Bangladesh has more than one million people of Bede (gypsy) community. They are a group of people who are used to moving from place to place and are least interested to settle down in a given location permanently. They collect snakes from all over the country. They sell snakes and show their charms. Female Bedes also make use of singe, a pipe that they claim sucks out bad blood from the human body to give relief from pain. Other businesses of Bede community include sale of imitation ornaments, cosmetics, amulets, cups and other light utensils.

Bedes are deprived of many basic human rights such as education and health facilities for their nomadic lifestyle. For lack of awareness of family planning, the average size of a Bede family comprises at least 7.5 people, which is the highest rate in the entire world. Though about 80 per cent of the children in the country are brought under the immunisation programme, only 2.0 per cent of Bede children are fortunate enough to be immunised. These children are more prone to various diseases and tremendously malnourished. These children have not been brought under the birth registration programme either. Women are more vulnerable in Bede community and are facing harassment from the mainstream population regularly. So, it is time to protect the rights of this minority group and ensure they enjoy all the rights as citizens of Bangladesh.

Abu Elias Linkon,

Banasree, Dhaka,

[email protected]