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Odhikar's Fact Finding Report/5 and 6 May 2013/Hefazate Islam, Motijheel
Odhikar’s Fact Finding Report/5 and 6 May 2013/Hefazate Islam, Motijheel/Page-1 Summary of the incident Hefazate Islam Bangladesh, like any other non-political social and cultural organisation, claims to be a people’s platform to articulate the concerns of religious issues. According to the organisation, its aims are to take into consideration socio-economic, cultural, religious and political matters that affect values and practices of Islam. Moreover, protecting the rights of the Muslim people and promoting social dialogue to dispel prejudices that affect community harmony and relations are also their objectives. Instigated by some bloggers and activists that mobilised at the Shahbag movement, the organisation, since 19th February 2013, has been protesting against the vulgar, humiliating, insulting and provocative remarks in the social media sites and blogs against Islam, Allah and his Prophet Hazrat Mohammad (pbuh). In some cases the Prophet was portrayed as a pornographic character, which infuriated the people of all walks of life. There was a directive from the High Court to the government to take measures to prevent such blogs and defamatory comments, that not only provoke religious intolerance but jeopardise public order. This is an obligation of the government under Article 39 of the Constitution. Unfortunately the Government took no action on this. As a response to the Government’s inactions and its tacit support to the bloggers, Hefazate Islam came up with an elaborate 13 point demand and assembled peacefully to articulate their cause on 6th April 2013. Since then they have organised a series of meetings in different districts, peacefully and without any violence, despite provocations from the law enforcement agencies and armed Awami League activists. -
Bangladesh Other Countries and Regions Monitored
BANGLADESH OTHER COUNTRIES AND REGIONS MONITORED KEY FINDINGS RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE U.S. GOVERNMENT In 2016, the frequency of violent and deadly attacks against religious minorities, secular bloggers, intellec- USCIRF recommends that the U.S. government should: tuals, and foreigners by domestic and transnational provide technical assistance and encourage the Ban- extremist groups increased. Although the government, gladeshi government to further develop its national led by the ruling Awami League, has taken steps to inves- counterterrorism strategy; urge Prime Minister Sheikh tigate, arrest, and prosecute perpetrators and increase Hasina and all government officials to frequently and publicly denounce religiously divisive language and acts protection for likely targets, the threats and violence of religiously motivated violence and harassment; assist have heightened the sense of fear among Bangladeshi the Bangladeshi government in providing local govern- citizens of all religious groups. In addition, illegal land ment officials, police officers, and judges with training on appropriations—commonly referred to as land-grab- international human rights standards, as well as how to bing—and ownership disputes remain widespread, investigate and adjudicate religiously motivated violent particularly against Hindus and Christians. Other con- acts; urge the Bangladeshi government to investigate cerns include issues related to property returns and the claims of land-grabbing and to repeal its blasphemy law; situation of Rohingya Muslims. In March 2016, a USCIRF and encourage the Bangladeshi government to continue staff member traveled to Bangladesh to assess the reli- to provide humanitarian assistance and a safe haven for gious freedom situation. Rohingya Muslims fleeing persecution in Burma. BACKGROUND the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). -
CIFORB Country Profile – Bangladesh
CIFORB Country Profile – Bangladesh Demographics • Obtained independence from Pakistan (East Pakistan) in 1971 following a nine month civil uprising • Bangladesh is bordered by India and Myanmar. • It is the third most populous Muslim-majority country in the world. • Population: 168,957,745 (July 2015 est.) • Capital: Dhaka, which has a population of over 15 million people. • Bangladesh's government recognises 27 ethnic groups under the 2010 Cultural Institution for Small Anthropological Groups Act. • Bangladesh has eight divisions: Barisal, Chittagong, Dhaka, Khulna, Mymensingh, Rajshahi, Rangpur, Sylhet (responsible for administrative decisions). • Language: Bangla 98.8% (official, also known as Bengali), other 1.2% (2011 est.). • Religious Demographics: Muslim 89.1% (majority is Sunni Muslim), Hindu 10%, other 0.9% (includes Buddhist, Christian) (2013 est.). • Christians account for approximately 0.3% of the total population, and they are mostly based in urban areas. Roman Catholicism is predominant among the Bengali Christians, while the remaining few are mostly Protestants. • Most of the followers of Buddhism in Bangladesh live in the Chittagong division. • Bengali and ethnic minority Christians live in communities across the country, with relatively high concentrations in Barisal City, Gournadi in Barisal district, Baniarchar in Gopalganj, Monipuripara and Christianpara in Dhaka, Nagori in Gazipur, and Khulna City. • The largest noncitizen population in Bangladesh, the Rohingya, practices Islam. There are approximately 32,000 registered Rohingya refugees from Myanmar, and between 200,000 and 500,000 unregistered Rohingya, practicing Islam in the southeast around Cox’s Bazar. https://www.justice.gov/eoir/file/882896/download) • The Hindu American Foundation has observed: ‘Discrimination towards the Hindu community in Bangladesh is both visible and hidden. -
“Crossfire:” Continued Human Rights Abuses by Bangladesh's Rapid
Bangladesh HUMAN “Crossfire” RIGHTS Continued Human Rights Abuses by Bangladesh’s Rapid Action Battalion WATCH “Crossfire” Continued Human Rights Abuses by Bangladesh’s Rapid Action Battalion Copyright © 2011 Human Rights Watch All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America ISBN: 1-56432-767-1 Cover design by Rafael Jimenez Human Rights Watch 350 Fifth Avenue, 34th floor New York, NY 10118-3299 USA Tel: +1 212 290 4700, Fax: +1 212 736 1300 [email protected] Poststraße 4-5 10178 Berlin, Germany Tel: +49 30 2593 06-10, Fax: +49 30 2593 0629 [email protected] Avenue des Gaulois, 7 1040 Brussels, Belgium Tel: + 32 (2) 732 2009, Fax: + 32 (2) 732 0471 [email protected] 64-66 Rue de Lausanne 1202 Geneva, Switzerland Tel: +41 22 738 0481, Fax: +41 22 738 1791 [email protected] 2-12 Pentonville Road, 2nd Floor London N1 9HF, UK Tel: +44 20 7713 1995, Fax: +44 20 7713 1800 [email protected] 27 Rue de Lisbonne 75008 Paris, France Tel: +33 (1)43 59 55 35, Fax: +33 (1) 43 59 55 22 [email protected] 1630 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 500 Washington, DC 20009 USA Tel: +1 202 612 4321, Fax: +1 202 612 4333 [email protected] Web Site Address: http://www.hrw.org May 2011 ISBN 1-56432-767-1 “Crossfire” Continued Human Rights Abuses by Bangladesh’s Rapid Action Battalion Map of Bangladesh ........................................................................................................................... ii Summary ........................................................................................................................................... 1 Key Recommendations: .............................................................................................................. 9 Methodology ................................................................................................................................... 11 I. Killings and Other Cases of Abuse by RAB Since the Awami League Government Came to Power in 2009 ................................................................................................................................. -
Human Rights Monitoring Report of July 2017, Despite Facing Persecution and Continuous Harassment and Threats to Its Existence Since August 10, 2013
August 1, 2017 Human Rights Monitoring Report July 1 – 31, 2017 Extrajudicial killings Death in jail Torture, inhuman treatment and lack of accountability of law enforcement agencies Enforced disappearances Public lynching Political violence Election Commission and future elections Hindrance to freedom of assembly Interference on freedom of expression and the media Situation of workers’ rights Indian government’s aggressive policy towards Bangladesh Violence against Women Activities of Odhikar hindered Odhikar believes that democracy is not merely a process of electing a ruler; it is the result of the peoples’ struggle for inalienable rights, which become the fundamental premise to constitute the State. Therefore, the individual freedoms and democratic aspirations of the citizens – and consequently, peoples’ collective rights and responsibilities - must be the foundational principles of the State. The democratic legitimacy of the State is directly related to its willingness, commitment and capacity to ensure human rights, dignity and integrity of citizens. If the state does not ensure full participation in the decision making process at all levels – from the lowest level of administration to the highest level – it cannot be called a ‘democratic’ state. Citizens realise their rights and responsibilities through participation and decision making processes. The awareness about the rights of others and collective benefits and responsibilities, can be ensured and implemented through this process as well. The Parliament, Judiciary and Executive cannot and should not, have any power to abrogate fundamental civil and political rights 1 through any means, as such rights are inviolable and are the foundational principles of the State. Odhikar, being an organisation of human rights defenders in Bangladesh, has been struggling to ensure internationally recognised civil and political rights of citizens. -
Bangladesh: Human Rights Report 2015
BANGLADESH: HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT 2015 Odhikar Report 1 Contents Odhikar Report .................................................................................................................................. 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................................... 4 Detailed Report ............................................................................................................................... 12 A. Political Situation ....................................................................................................................... 13 On average, 16 persons were killed in political violence every month .......................................... 13 Examples of political violence ..................................................................................................... 14 B. Elections ..................................................................................................................................... 17 City Corporation Elections 2015 .................................................................................................. 17 By-election in Dohar Upazila ....................................................................................................... 18 Municipality Elections 2015 ........................................................................................................ 18 Pre-election violence .................................................................................................................. -
Researched and Compiled by the Refugee Documentation Centre of Ireland on Friday 31 January & Monday 3 February 2014
Bangladesh - Researched and compiled by the Refugee Documentation Centre of Ireland on Friday 31 January & Monday 3 February 2014 Current information on the Rapid Action Battalion; A report issued in January 2014 by Human Rights Watch notes that: “Joint Forces consisting of the Bangladesh Police, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and the Border Guards Bangladesh continue to arrest opposition supporters, some of whom are accused of involvement in violent protests before and during the January 5, 2014 elections which were boycotted by opposition parties” (Human Rights Watch (27 January 2014) Bangladesh: End Spate of Extrajudicial Killings). The Asian Human Rights Commission in December 2013 states that: “At the moment, a joint team of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and the Border Guards, Bangladesh (BGB) are engaged in rounding up people, and in burning down houses and businesses of persons, identified by the ruling political coalition as sympathizers of the opposition political groups in different districts” (Asian Human Rights Commission (18 December 2013) Bangladesh: UN should act immediately to save Bangladeshi lives). In December 2013 the Asian Human Rights Commission points out that: “Bangladesh police and other law-enforcement agencies, such as the RAB, are accustomed to arresting suspects without a warrant, regardless of the alleged crime being cognizable or non-cognizable” (Asian Human Rights Commission (10 December 2013) The State of Human Rights in Bangladesh, 2013: Bangladesh - Lust for Power, Death of Dignity). Information on the Rapid Action Battalion for 2009 Human Rights Watch in May 2009 states that: “The Rapid Action Battalion is a paramilitary elite force that became operational in mid-2004 with a mission to “prevent crime and apprehend criminals.” It has a total strength of roughly 9,000 personnel and is made up of staff seconded mainly from the armed forces and the police, but also from other services. -
Half Yearly Human Rights Report Bangladesh Situation
Half Yearly Human Rights Report Bangladesh Situation January-June, 2018 HUMAN RIGHTS SUPPORT SOCIETY (HRSS) www.hrssbd.org Half Yearly Human Rights Report 2018 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Half yearly human rights analysis report’s published by Human Right Support Society the based on incidents of human rights violation and atrocities based on information received through our district representatives and twelve prominent national dailies has published this report. From January to June ’18, this report illustrates that freedom of expression was denied and the constitutionally guaranteed rights of freedom of assembly and association witnessed a sharp decline. Restrictions on the political parties and civil societies, impunity to the abusive security forces, extrajudicial killing in the name of anti-drug war, enforced disappearance, abduction, violence against women, arbitrary arrest and assault on opposition political leaders and activists, coercion and extortion are exposed a very glooming scenario of the overall human rights situation in Bangladesh. The situation reached such an awful state that even the common people feel insecure everywhere. According to the sources of HRSS, between Jan and Jun ’18, at least 303 people were extra- judicially killed; a total of 24 people have been forcefully disappeared by the members of law enforcement agencies. Moreover, the HRSS report finds that a total of 397 females have been raped. Of them, 189 were identified as an adult and alarmingly 208 were children under the age of 16. A total of 148 women were killed in the family feud, 26 females were killed due to dowry- related violence. It has also been reported that a total of 197 were abducted by a non-state actor in different areas of the country, among them approximately 140 were male, 21 females, 36 children, and 83 were killed after the abduction. -
Violent Extremism and Insurgency in Bangladesh: a Risk Assessment
VIOLENT EXTREMISM AND INSURGENCY IN BANGLADESH: A RISK ASSESSMENT 18 JANUARY 2012 This publication was produced for review by the United States Agency for International Development. It was prepared by Neil DeVotta and David Timberman, Management Systems International. VIOLENT EXTREMISM AND INSURGENCY IN BANGLADESH: A RISK ASSESSMENT Contracted under AID-OAA-TO-11-00051 Democracy and Governance and Peace and Security in Asia and the Middle East This paper was prepared by Neil DeVotta and David Timberman. Neil DeVotta holds a PhD in government and specializes in conflict and comparative politics of Southeast Asia. He is currently an Associate Professor at Wake Forest University in North Carolina. David Timberman is a political scientist with expertise in conflict, democracy and governance issues, and Southeast Asia. He is currently a Technical Director at Management Systems International. DISCLAIMER The authors’ views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Agency for International Development or the United States Government. CONTENTS Acronyms ........................................................................................................................i Map ............................................................................................................................... ii Executive Summary ..................................................................................................... iii I. Introduction ............................................................................................................... -
Bangladesh 2020 Human Rights Report
BANGLADESH 2020 HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Bangladesh’s constitution provides for a parliamentary form of government in which most power resides in the Office of the Prime Minister. In a December 2018 parliamentary election, Sheikh Hasina and her Awami League party won a third consecutive five-year term that kept her in office as prime minister. This election was not considered free and fair by observers and was marred by reported irregularities, including ballot-box stuffing and intimidation of opposition polling agents and voters. The security forces encompassing the national police, border guards, and counterterrorism units such as the Rapid Action Battalion maintain internal and border security. The military, primarily the army, is responsible for national defense but also has some domestic security responsibilities. The security forces report to the Ministry of Home Affairs and the military reports to the Ministry of Defense. Civilian authorities maintained effective control over the security forces. Members of the security forces committed numerous abuses. Significant human rights issues included: unlawful or arbitrary killings, including extrajudicial killings by the government or its agents; forced disappearance by the government or its agents; torture and cases of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment by the government or its agents; harsh and life-threatening prison conditions; arbitrary or unlawful detentions; arbitrary or unlawful interference with privacy; violence, threats of violence and arbitrary -
Buses Start Rolling
7 Long Form 8 International 14 Sport The curse of S Sudan sends more Five-star Bayern the two-thirds troops to retake win Club World ashpoint town Cup Poush 9, 1420 Safar 19, 1435 Regd. No. DA 6238 Vol 1 No 269 MONDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2013 www.dhakatribune.com SECOND EDITION 20 pages | Price: Tk10 More buses start rolling Army, joint forces providing support to vehicular movement n Mohammad Jamil Khan and safer, hearing that the police are giving Abu Hayat Mahmud security and the army are patrolling the streets.” The ow of vehicles on highways and A nine-member monitoring cell has the capital’s streets returned to almost been formed to ensure smooth bus normal yesterday, the second day of transit under Deputy Inspector General the opposition’s 83-hour blockade pro- of Highway Police Asaduzzaman. The gramme. team will instruct local administrations An increased number of intercity accordingly in case of any emergency. and intra-city passenger buses were Private bus services and that seen operating on the streets and high- of the Bangladesh Road Transport ways under police protection. Corporation will start operating from Army was also seen providing secu- today across the country except a rity and guidance for smooth vehicular few districts such as Bogra, Rajshahi movement in some places, including and Sirajganj. BRTC Chairman Jashim Jatrabari in the capital and Mirersarai Uddin Khan told the Dhaka Tribune that in Chittagong. the corporation had made the decision Transport workers, however, at a meeting of the communication said the presence of passengers had ministry. -
Midnight Massacre in Dhaka by Security Forces of Bangladesh
Midnight Massacre in Dhaka by Security Forces of Bangladesh Midnight Massacre in Dhaka by Security Forces of Bangladesh Table of Contents Executive Summery ........................................................................................................................ 3 Timeline of Incidents - 5th & 6th May, 2013 ................................................................................... 5 Dhaka Siege Program ..................................................................................................................... 6 Minister Ashraf‟s Declaration of Suppression ................................................................................ 7 Indiscriminate Police Fire ............................................................................................................... 8 Deadly Awami Attack .................................................................................................................. 12 Midnight Massacre ....................................................................................................................... 13 Govt. Shuts Two Television Channels ......................................................................................... 20 Narayanganj Clash ........................................................................................................................ 24 Page | 2 Midnight Massacre in Dhaka by Security Forces of Bangladesh Executive Summery On 6 May 2013 at 2.40 in the morning, the government in Bangladesh has cracked down on protests leaving a