Bangladesh – Researched and compiled by the Refugee Documentation Centre of Ireland on 7 April 2015

Information on Islami Chhatra Shibir including: General information; Treatment of members by post election in January 2014, particularly and divisions; State/police protection; Treatment of returning members.

A document published by the South Asia Terrorism Portal refers to Islami Chhatra Shibir as follows:

“The Islami Chhatra Shibir is the student wing of the Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh, which came into existence in 1941.” (South Asia Terrorism Portal (undated) Islami Chhatra Shibir (ICS))

In a paragraph headed “Objective” this document states:

“According to the outfit, its objectives are to struggle for changing the existing system of education on the basis of Islamic values, to inspire students to acquire Islamic knowledge and to prepare them to take part in the struggle for establishing Islamic way of life. A significant aim of the outfit is to establish an Afghanistan-Taliban type Islamist regime in Bangladesh. Consequently, the outfit is opposed to forces of modernization, secularism and democracy.” (ibid)

See also paragraph headed “External Linkages” which states:

“As one of the largest Islamist student organisations in South Asia, the ICS maintains a close relationship with various Islamist fundamentalist organisations of different countries. In 1979, the ICS secured membership of International Islamic Federation of Student Organisation (IIFSO). Its former President Dr. S A M Taher was also the Secretary General of IIFSO. The outfit is also a member of the World Assembly of Muslim Youth (WAMY). The outfit is also reported to be maintaining close links with the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI), Pakistan’s external intelligence agency. With the help of the latter, it is reportedly working to support Islamist subversive agenda in many regions in India, particularly in areas bordering Bangladesh. The ISI is also reportedly providing substantial amount of funds to the ICS. Other Islamic countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, have provided a major proportion of its financial resources. The ICS is also reported to be maintaining close links with various terrorist outfits operating in South Asia and Afghanistan. These terrorist outfits reportedly carry out their activities in Bangladesh through the ICS. The ICS reportedly helps them recruit and indoctrinate fanatic youth. A significant number of them were reportedly sent to Pakistan and Afghanistan during the reign of the Taliban regime where a large number of fanatic youth come under the direct command of Osama bin Laden. The ICS is also part of a larger network Islamist extremist network of the HUJI, Jamaat-e-Islami, and Islami Oikyo Jote. This network has assisted the terrorist outfits in developing

1

an effectual infrastructure for training as also a network of clandestine camps and shelters for stockpiling weapons and supplies in Bangladesh.” (ibid)

See also document published by the South Asia Terrorism Portal which lists incidents allegedly involving Islami Chhatra Shibir during the first three months of 2015

For further background information on this group see 2006 report from the International Crisis Group which, in a section headed “Islami Chhatra Shibir (Shibir)”, states:

“Jamaat-e-Islami’s student wing, Islami Chhatra Shibir (Shibir), was founded in 1941. Nurul Bulbul is the current president and Muhammad Nazrul Islam the secretary general. The organisation, with six divisions countrywide, is seen as a training ground for Islamist politicians; many of its former members have become prominent leaders, some in legitimate politics, others in underground extremist movements. Shibir’s support has historically been concentrated in particular areas and university campuses, where it has a reputation for violence. Shibir campaigns for Islamisation of the education system. It also encourages students to pursue Islamic studies and prepares them to take part in the struggle for establishing Islamic rule. Critics allege that it is simply opposed to modernisation, secularism and democracy. Shibir is a member of the International Islamic Federation of Student Organisations and the World Assembly of Muslim Youth. It maintains close ties with similar youth organisations in Pakistan, the Middle East, Malaysia, and Indonesia. It reportedly supports Islamist groups in India and has links with Pakistani intelligence, from which, in addition to Saudi Arabia, it is said to receive financing. Shibir has a stronghold in the university in Chittagong and a significant presence on campus in and recruits from privately run throughout Bangladesh. The group regularly clashes with other student organisations on university campuses and has been implicated in religiously motivated violence, murders and bomb attacks. When in 2003 members were charged with violent crimes, the home ministry intervened in some instances to dismiss the charges.” (International Crisis Group (23 October 2006) Bangladesh Today, pp.15-16)

A 2010 article from the Bangladeshi newspaper The Daily Star states:

“Islami Chhatra Shibir has been perpetrating a reign of terror on Rajshahi University campus for over two decades with the backup from university administration and pro-Jamaat teachers. Their terror activities cannot be controlled at present as some teachers loyal to Jamaat-e-Islami have been in the administration posing as Awami League loyalists, a few RU teachers told The Daily Star. Shibir, the student wing of Jamaat, has been able to carry out criminal activities and get away with it since the pro-Jamaat teachers have tactfully recruited their men in the RU administration as teachers, officials, proctors and even the vice-chancellor, they said.” (The Daily Star (11 February 2010) Shibir grows under teacher-admin care)

This article also states:

“According to the university administration sources, there are around 1,100 teachers at RU of whom around 325 belong to the progressive parties, 300 are loyal to BNP and 400 to Jamaat. To maintain its supremacy on the 2

campus, Shibir keeps pressuring the university people by issuing threats directly and indirectly, sources said. Around 60 incidents of clashes among the student wings of different political parties have taken place on RU campus since 1971, which left 28 people killed and over 2,100 injured, sources in the RU administration said. The university remained closed for over 600 days because of the clashes.” (ibid)

A report from the Jamestown Foundation states:

“The radical Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) and activists of its student wing, Islami Chhatra Shibir, have raised the standard of revolt by aligning themselves with the radical Hefajat-e-Islam (HeI) in violent opposition across the country against the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT – a domestic creation) verdicts in the trials of senior Jamaat leaders accused of war crimes during the 1971 liberation struggle. Most of the accused were sent to the gallows.” (Jamestown Foundation (23 January 2014) Al-Qaeda Leader al- Zawahiri Urges Jihad Against the “Anti-Islamic” Government of Bangladesh)

The 2013 US Department of State religious freedom report for Bangladesh states:

“The authorities arrested six supporters of the Jamaat-e-Islami party on March 3 in Kotalipara, and four members of Islami Chhatra Shibir (Shibir), Jamaat’s student wing, on March 11 in connection with attacks in Banshkhali and Sitakundu.” (US Department of State (28 July 2014) 2013 Report on International Religious Freedom – Bangladesh, p.5)

This report also states:

“According to the main domestic human rights organization Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), which publishes annual statistics on violence against religious minorities, 495 statues, monasteries, or temples were destroyed; 278 homes and 208 businesses were destroyed; 188 persons were injured; and one person was killed during the year. Local and international press, human rights organizations, and Hindu community leaders blamed the attacks on Shibir.” (ibid, p.7)

A report on the events of 2013 published by the Bangladeshi human rights NGO Odhikar contains many references activities involving Islami Chhatra Shibir. See for example paragraph 235 in “Chapter V: Right to Life (Arbitrary or Unlawful Deprivation of Life)” which states:

“On December 12, 2013 at around 7.30 pm an activist of the student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami Anwar (20) was shot dead when the police attacked a procession which was brought out after the execution of Jamaat-e-Islami Assistant Secretary General Abdul Quader Molla at Manoharganj, Comilla. The clash continued for about half an hour leaving 30 Shibir activists injured with bullets. Of the injured Anwar was pronounced dead after he had taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital.” (Odhikar (15 April 2014) Human Rights Report 2013)

An article from Bangladeshi newspaper The New Nation refers to the arrest of Islami Chhatra Shibir members in Chittagong as follows:

3

“Eighty-two leaders and activists of Islami Chhatra Shibir [ICS] were arrested from the dormitories of Chittagong Government College and its adjacent Government Haji Muhammad Mohsin College when police conducted two separate raids on Wednesday. Police also recovered huge quantity of arms and ammunitions during the nightlong drives. About 150 members of law enforcing agencies cordoned the entire Chittagong College on Tuesday midnight and the drive continued till early morning. The second drive began at Mohsin College at 8:00am and it continued till noon. In the first operation, the law enforcers led by Detective Branch [DB] of Chittagong Metropolitan Police [CMP] detained 72 suspected leaders and activists of ICS from Suhrawardy Hall of Chittagong College.” (The New Nation (19 March 2015) 82 Ctg Shibir men held: Huge arms recovered)

Numerous report from the Bangladesh Government News agency (BSS) refer to the arrest of Islami Chhatra Shibir members.

A BSS report from 28 March 2015 states:

“ police in a series of drives picked up nine leaders and activists of BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Chhatra Shibir from two of the district on Thursday night. Naimul Hasan, Additional Superintendent of Police (Special Branch) of Chittagong district said police detained the leaders and activists in overnight raids at various places of and Lohagara Upazilas to prevent possible acts of sabotage during country-wide blockade enforced by BNP-led 20 party alliance. Among the detainees, three were BNP activists, three Chhatra Shibir activists and three Jammat activist, the police officer added.” (Bangladesh Government News (BSS) (28 March 2015) Nine BNP-Jamaat-Shibir activists detained in Ctg)

A BSS report from 29 March 2015 states:

“Chittagong Metropolitan Police (CMP) in a series of drives arrested six leaders and activists of Islami Chhatra Shibir from city's Patenga area on Friday night. The arrested were identified as Shibir's Patenga unit president Fazlur Rahman Rubel, 25, Arif, 22, Jafar, 22, Karim, 20, Mahbub, 21 and Rana, 33. Officer-in-charge (OC) of Bandar police station AKM Mohiuddin Selim said police arrested them from different spots under Patenga area around 10pm yesterday. 'The arrested confessed that they chalked out plans to bomb down different key point installations including Padma, Meghna and Jamuna oil depots', the OC said adding that they were shown arrested in a case filed for threat to bomb down oil depots.” (Bangladesh Government News (BSS) (29 March 2015) 6 Shibir men arrested in Ctg)

A BSS report from 31 March 2015 states:

“Chittagong district police in a series of drives detained four leaders and activists of BNP and Islami Chhatra Shibir from Sitakunda of the district on Sunday night. The detainees include secretary of Barabkunda Union unit of BNP Khairul Alam, two BNP activists and one Shibir activist. Naimul Hasan, Additional Superintendent of Police (Special Branch) of Chittagong district said police detained four leaders and activists in overnight raids at various places of Sitakunda Upazila to prevent possible acts of sabotage during country-wide blockade and hartal enforced by BNP-led 20

4

party alliance.” (Bangladesh Government News (BSS) (31 March 2015) Four BNP-Shibir activists detained)

A BSS report from 4 April 2015 states:

“Police arrested 47 persons, including eight leaders and activists of BNP, Jamaat and Shibir from different places here in the district last night, police sources said. The arrested persons include five leaders and activists of Jamaat-Shibir and three activists of BNP and its front organisations of different upazilas in the district. The arrested leaders and activist of BNP, Jamaat and Shibir are allegedly involved with various subversive activities like hurling petrol bombs, killing innocent people, blasting cocktail bombs, sabotage and other terrorist activities in recent times.” (Bangladesh Government News (BSS) (4 April 2015) Eight BNP-Jamaat-Shibir men among 47 arrested in Rangpur)

A recent article from The Daily Star states:

“An alleged activist of Islami Chhatra Shibir died and one other was shot during clash with police in this afternoon.” (The Daily Star (6 April 2015) ‘Shibir man’ dies in clash with Noakhali cops)

Information on the treatment of returned asylum seekers who are perceived to be members of Islami Chhatra Shibir was not found among sources available to the Research and Information Unit.

This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research and Information Unit within time constraints. This response is not and does not purport to be conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please read in full all documents referred to.

References:

Bangladesh Government News (BSS) (4 April 2015) Eight BNP-Jamaat-Shibir men among 47 arrested in Rangpur http://www.lexisnexis.com (Accessed 7 April 2015) This is a subscription database

Bangladesh Government News (BSS) (31 March 2015) Four BNP-Shibir activists detained http://www.lexisnexis.com (Accessed 7 April 2015) This is a subscription database

Bangladesh Government News (BSS) (29 March 2015) 6 Shibir men arrested in Ctg http://www.lexisnexis.com (Accessed 7 April 2015) This is a subscription database

5

Bangladesh Government News (BSS) (28 March 2015) Nine BNP-Jamaat- Shibir activists detained in Ctg http://www.lexisnexis.com (Accessed 7 April 2015) This is a subscription database

The Daily Star (6 April 2015) ‘Shibir man’ dies in clash with Noakhali cops http://www.thedailystar.net/country/shibir-man%E2%80%99-dies-clash- noakhali-cops-75899 (Accessed 7 April 2015)

The Daily Star (11 February 2010) Shibir grows under teacher-admin care http://archive.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=125803 (Accessed 7 April 2015)

International Crisis Group (23 October 2006) Bangladesh Today http://www.crisisgroup.org/~/media/Files/asia/south- asia/bangladesh/121_bangladesh_today.pdf (Accessed 7 April 2015)

Jamestown Foundation (23 January 2014) Al-Qaeda Leader al-Zawahiri Urges Jihad Against the “Anti-Islamic” Government of Bangladesh http://www.jamestown.org/programs/tm/single/?tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=4 1864&cHash=4e77a04b9411bb304d26f5fa88a4e81f#.VSP1BNROPK4 (Accessed 7 April 2015)

The New Nation (19 March 2015) 82 Ctg Shibir men held: Huge arms recovered http://thedailynewnation.com/news/46815/82-ctg-shibir-men-held-huge-arms- recovered.html (Accessed 7 April 2015)

Odhikar (15 April 2014) Human Rights Report 2013 https://www.fidh.org/IMG/pdf/odhikar_ahrr_2013.pdf (Accessed 7 April 2015)

South Asia Terrorism Portal (28 March 2015) Incidents and Statements involving Islami Chhatra Shibir (ICS): 2015 http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/bangladesh/terroristoutfits/ics2015.ht m (Accessed 7 April 2015)

South Asia Terrorism Portal (undated) Islami Chhatra Shibir (ICS) http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/bangladesh/terroristoutfits/ICS.htm (Accessed 7 April 2015)

US Department of State (28 July 2014) 2013 Report on International Religious Freedom – Bangladesh http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/222537.pdf (Accessed 7 April 2015)

6

Sources Consulted:

European Country of Origin Information Network International Crisis Group Lexis Nexis Odhikar Refugee Documentation Centre Query Database South Asia Terrorism Portal UNHCR Refworld US Department of State

7