DOCSLIB.ORG

Bangladesh Report Final.Pdf

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Bangladesh Report Final.Pdf REPORT Small arms and security in South Asia National Forum Against Small Arms, South Asia Partnership-Bangladesh and Saferworld Challenges to peace and security: Consulting communities on small arms in Bangladesh December 2006 The National Forum Against Small Arms (NFASA) brings together individuals and organisations committed to preserving community safety and the combating of the proliferation and misuse of small arms and light weapons. Accordingly, NFASA endeavours to create greater awareness around small arms issues, highlight the connection between small arms proliferation and violence and domestic underdevelopment, as well as lobby government. South Asia Partnership (SAP)-Bangladesh is a non-governmental organisation committed to promoting the interests of the most vulnerable communities in Bangladesh. To this end, SAP- Bangladesh has provided support to more than 350 NGOs with programmes reaching across the whole of the country. Activities include the conducting of consultations, facilitating dialogue between interested parties, publishing bulletins and newsletters, and lobbying for pro-poor development. Saferworld is an independent non-governmental organisation that works with governments and civil society internationally to research, promote and implement new strategies to increase human security and prevent armed violence. COVER PHOTO: PETER CROSS, SAFERWORLD. Saferworld National Forum Against South Asia Partnership- The Grayston Centre Small Arms Bangladesh 28 Charles Square c/o South Asia Partnership- House No 63, Block-‘Ka’ London N1 6HT Bangladesh GPO Box No 4182 UK House No 63, Block-‘Ka’ Dhaka-1207 Phone: +44 (0)20 7324 4646 GPO Box No 4182 Bangladesh Fax: +44 (0)20 7324 4647 Dhaka-1207 Phone: +88 02 8112103 Email: [email protected] Bangladesh Fax: +88 02 8113033 Web: www.saferworld.org.uk Email: [email protected] Web: www.sap-bangladesh.org ISBN 1 904833 16 0 Challenges to peace and security: Consulting communities on small arms in Bangladesh NATIONAL FORUM AGAINST SMALL ARMS, SOUTH ASIA PARTNERSHIP-BANGLADESH AND SAFERWORLD DECEMBER 2006 Acknowledgements The National Forum Against Small Arms and Saferworld thank the British High Commission in Dhaka for supporting the civil society consultation process and the publication of this report. The consultation team consisted of: Nadira Mallik of South Asia Partnership- Bangladesh; Professor Dr Nazmul Ahsan Kalimullah, Chairman, Department of Public Administration, of the University of Dhaka and Chairman, of JANIPOP; Md Abdul Halim, ex group member of Amnesty International Bangladesh; and Md Touhidul Islam, of Saferworld. The report was written by the consultation team together with Nic Benton and Peter Cross from Saferworld. Translations for the report were provided by Neila Husain, of Bangladesh Institute of International & Strategic Studies (Bengali to English) and Rafiqul Islam Shathy , Development Consultant (English to Bengali). It was copy-edited for Saferworld by Robert Long. Acronyms BHC British High Commission BDR Bangladesh Rifles BNP Bangladesh Nationalist Party IED Improvised explosive device NGO non-governmental organisation NSAFA National Forum Against Small Arms PoA Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects RAB Rapid Action Battalion SALW small arms and light weapons UN United Nations © Saferworld, December 2006. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without full attribution. Saferworld welcomes and encourages the utilisation and dissemination of the material included in this publication. Contents Executive summary i Keynote Speech by Mr Lutfuzzaman Babar, iv State Minister for Home Affairs Introduction 1 1. The problem of small arms and light weapons 3 2. Methodology 5 3. Findings 8 4. Recommendations 16 5. Conclusion 19 APPENDIX 1: National Forum Against Small Arms members 20 APPENDIX 2: Bibliography 21 Districts of Bangladesh INDIA Sylhet RAJSHAHI DHAKA SYLHET Rajshahi Dhaka KHULNA Satkhira Barisal CHITTAGONG BARISAL Cox’s Bazar BAY OF BENGAL MYANMAR Executive summary POST-INDEPENDENCE BANGLADESH has successfully managed to avoid the civil conflicts and secessionist struggles that have undermined security in other South Asian countries. Small arms and light weapons are, however, a concern in Bangladesh, where they are believed to be used in the commission of crimes, to access influence and to reinforce power. In the recent past Bangladesh has been affected by a number of incidents in which small bombs or improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were used to commit crime, undermine the state’s authority or terrorise local communities. This was most clearly demonstrated on 17 August 2005 when over 400 IEDs were detonated in 63 of Bangladesh’s 64 districts. Bangladesh is also increasingly seen as a key ‘transit route’ for the trafficking and smuggling of weapons in South Asia. The hilly regions of the south east, the open seas of the Bay of Bengal in the south, a poor border monitoring system and corrupt law enforcement officials have all contributed to this situation. The actors involved in the movement of illegal arms are believed to include international and trans-border smugglers, criminal syndicates and separatist groups. The Bangladesh National Forum Against Small Arms (NFASA) and Saferworld conducted a community consultation which consulted over 150 community representatives in each of Bangladesh’s six divisions in April and May 2006. The consultation aimed to identify safety and security concerns of communities, particularly those related to small arms and light weapons (SALW) and IEDs; to develop recommendations to address these concerns; and, to assist the government in tackling the problem of SALW and to implement the UN Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects (UN PoA). The findings from the consultation were debated during a National Dialogue Forum held in September and attended by the Minister for Home Affairs, the Deputy Minister for Chittagong Hill Tract Affairs, Members of Parliament, the acting British High Commissioner and over 70 participants from civil society, government, the donor community and the media. The consultation found that abuses of power, political rivalry, the emergence of extremist elements and the availability of illegal firearms are all causes of contemporary human insecurity in Bangladesh. The lack of development and access to opportunity were also perceived to be fuelling insecurity. The recent gains made to alleviate poverty in Bangladesh may not be sustainable in the current climate of high levels of insecurity, fuelled by the easy availability of small arms. The emergence of extremist elements and a growing organised criminal presence with perceived close links to political figures is further undermining the conditions necessary to support development. ii CHALLENGES TO PEACE AND SECURITY: CONSULTING COMMUNITIES ON SMALL ARMS IN BANGLADESH The consultation found that the key sources of illegal SALW in Bangladesh were perceived to be those trafficked or smuggled into Bangladesh, homemade weapons that are being manufactured locally and weapons that are leaking from state stocks. Summary of key The community consultation and the National Dialogue Forum came up with a range recommendations of recommendations that the Government of Bangladesh and civil society should take forward. These include: Create a National Commission on Small Arms and IEDS ■ As recommended in the UN PoA Section II Paragraph 4 ■ The National Commission should be responsible for guiding policy, developing and implementing efforts to control SALW proliferation, and for monitoring efforts to control SALW Introduce civilian oversight for arms control ■ Involve civil society at all levels ■ Include civil society in the National Commission, as recommended in the UN PoA Review existing legislation on SALW and IEDs ■ Review the 1878 Arms Act urgently ■ Ensure the legislation conforms to international best practice ■ Ensure that the legislation is effectively implemented Develop the capacity of law enforcement agencies to address SALW and IED proliferation ■ Improve training and resources for law enforcement agencies ■ Provide specialised training on firearms crime, identification, investigation techniques and ballistics ■ Destroy seized, captured and unserviceable weapons ■ Improve linkage between communities and police ■ Promote community based approaches to policing Enhance border security ■ Improve the capacity of the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) ■ Provide specialised training for customs and immigration officials in counter- trafficking and firearms and explosives identification ■ Target smuggling black spots and increase patrolling there Practical measures to reduce violence in elections ■ Introduce a code of conduct signed by all political parties ■ Undertake a public awareness-raising campaign against the use of firearms and violence in the democratic process, endorsed by leading political figures during the upcoming elections Raise community awareness around the problem of SALW and IEDs ■ Undertake wider community awareness-raising campaigns against the growing gun- culture SAFERWORLD · SOUTH ASIA PROGRAMME iii ■ Target awareness campaigns at violently politicised groups such as students, about the negative impact of firearms and IEDs
Load more

Recommended publications
  • 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.
    [Show full text]
  • 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).
    [Show full text]
  • 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.
    [Show full text]
  • “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 .................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • 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.
    [Show full text]
  • 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 ..................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Introduction
    © IUCN Bangladesh CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION Pilot National Program (PNP) for Tiger Conservation in Bangladesh © Monirul H. Khan 1. INTRODUCTION Th e Sundarbans of Bangladesh supports a healthy population of tigers. Th e mangrove habitat of the Sundarbans is unfragmented and naturally inaccessible to people, which off ers excellent potential for long-term preservation of tigers. In addition, it is the only tidal mangrove forest to contain tigers. Th erefore, the Sundarbans has been identifi ed as a high-priority area for tiger conservation. Poaching, prey depletion and tiger-human confl ict, however, threaten this globally and nationally important tiger population. Th erefore, it is urgently required to develop national program for tiger conservation in Bangladesh. Keeping that in mind, a two-day workshop, jointly sponsored by the Bangladesh Forest Department, IUCN and Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute was convened in Dhaka on 18-19 March 2013 to develop a 3-5 year Pilot National Program (PNP) that defi nes specifi c goals, strategies and action steps to facilitate achieving the objectives set forth in the Bangladesh National Tiger Recovery Program. © IUCN Bangladesh 3 Pilot National Program (PNP) for Tiger Conservation in Bangladesh Th e results of this workshop discussion were used to create a shortlist of policies and projects to be considered for adoption and implementation by the Tiger Coordination Committee (TCC) as the fi rst steps in implementing the PNP. Th e TCC will be chaired by the Secretary of Ministry of Environment
    [Show full text]
  • 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.
    [Show full text]
  • 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.
    [Show full text]
  • 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 ...............................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • 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
    [Show full text]
  • 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.
    [Show full text]