Dhaka, Jan. 8 -- A state cannot be regarded as civilised unless it ensures the rights and protection of minorities and vulnerable groups, speakers said at a programme held on Thursday.

"Minority safety determines the quality of democracy," they said at a policy dialogue titled "Electoral Commitments to Inclusive Democracy and Minority Rights" organised by The Centre for Governance Studies (CGS) at the auditorium of CIRDAP (Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific) in Dhaka.

Political leaders, civil society representatives, academics, lawyers, and human rights activists participated in the dialogue.

In the context of the upcoming national election, the discussion focused on the extent to which inclusion, minority ...