Paris, France; November 22, 2024 – JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) strongly condemns the alarming trend of continuous extrajudicial killings under the interim government led by Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus, which assumed power on August 8, 2024. These heinous acts of state violence, carried out by law enforcement agencies, including the army and joint police forces, represent gross violations of the Constitution, human rights, the rule of law, and international standards of justice.
The most recent incident involves the brutal death of Hridoy Rabidas, a 21-year-old hairdresser from the marginalized Rabidas community, who died under army custody in Kishoreganj on November 16, 2024. His only "offense" was being accused of a romantic relationship with a Muslim girl, being a marginalized (dalit) community boy from the same area, a matter that should never have been grounds for such violence.
On the night of November 15, 2024, Hridoy and his cousin Shakil Rabi Das were illegally detained and taken to a local market club room, where a gathering of influential individuals, including the local Union Parishad Chairman, a council member, and local religious leaders, was convened, where he was allegedly beaten. Hridoy’s detention stemmed from the alleged nature of his relationship with a young Muslim woman. The authorities then sent Hridoy and Shakil to an army camp, where Shakil was severely beaten and released in the early hours of the next morning, unable to walk. Despite the pleas of their parents, Hridoy was kept in the camp, and hours later, he was transferred to a hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
This is not an isolated incident but part of a deeply disturbing pattern. Since August 8, 2024, at least nine citizens have been victims of extrajudicial killings, accompanied by alarming reports of torture and indiscriminate use of force.
The deaths of Elahi Sikdar in Gopalganj, Shafiqul Islam and Sohrab Hossain Apel in Gaibandha, and four Indigenous individuals in Khagrachari and Rangamati exemplify the unchecked brutality of law enforcement agencies. These heinous acts not only violate the fundamental rights of Bangladeshi citizens but also severely tarnish the credibility of the interim government on the global stage.
Robert Simon, prominent French human rights activist and Chief Adviser of JMBF stressed, "The extrajudicial killings in Bangladesh are a stain on the principles of justice and humanity. Under Dr. Yunus's interim government, such grave violations of human rights undermine the Nobel laureate’s legacy and contradict the democratic ideals he has long championed. We call on the international community to demand accountability and justice for the victims and their families."
Advocate Shahanur Islam, Bangladeshi human rights lawyer residing in France and Founder President of JMBF added, "The brutal killing of Hridoy Rabidas and other victims of state violence reflects a deep failure of governance and justice in Bangladesh. This is an affront to the rule of law and an unacceptable assault on the fundamental rights of its people. The interim government must take immediate action to end these violations, prosecute those responsible, and prevent further loss of life."
JMBF strongly urges Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of the interim government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, to:
- Immediately cease all acts of torture and extrajudicial killings, ensuring strict adherence to the rule of law by all law enforcement agencies.
- Conduct impartial and transparent investigations into all reported cases of torture and extrajudicial killings by forming a judicial inquiry committee, led by a Justice of the High Court Division of the Bangladesh Supreme Court and including human rights experts from international organizations.
- Protection and compensation for the families of victims, including adequate financial support and psychological assistance to those affected by these heinous acts.
JMBF also calls on international human rights organizations, intergovernmental bodies, and UN agencies to:
- Hold Bangladesh accountable for its obligations under international human rights treaties, including commitments under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
- Establish protective mechanisms for marginalized communities, including Dalits and Indigenous populations, who are disproportionately targeted by these acts of violence.
JMBF reaffirms its solidarity with the victims, their families, and all advocates for justice and human rights in Bangladesh. We urge the international community to exert diplomatic pressure to end these atrocities and prevent Bangladesh from further sliding into authoritarian violence.
JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) remains steadfast in its commitment to monitoring human rights developments in Bangladesh, including incidents of torture and extrajudicial killings, and will continue to advocate for justice and accountability for all victims.
Fact in Brief: Extrajudicial Killings Under Bangladesh’s Interim Government
On the early morning of November 16, 2024, 21-year-old Hridoy Rabidas, a youth from a marginalized community who worked as a hairdresser in a salon in the Noabad Bhuiyan Bazar area of Karimganj upazila, died after allegedly being tortured by army personnel in Kishoreganj. He succumbed to his injuries at Abdul Hamid Medical College Hospital in Kishoreganj. His body bore multiple injury marks.
On the evening of Friday, November 15, 2024, Hridoy and his cousin Shakil Rabi Das were illegally detained and taken from the salon to the market club room following allegations of Hridoy's romantic involvement with a Muslim orphan girl from the same area. The gathering included the local UP Chairman, a council member, the Bazar Committee President, Imams from local mosques, and individuals associated with a madrasa, where he was allegedly beaten.
Later that night, around 8 PM, the UP Chairman, with assistance from a council member and three village police officers, sent Hridoy and Shakil to an army camp located a few kilometers away. Around 2 AM, the army personnel released Shakil, who was unable to walk due to apparent physical assault. Their parents, who had arrived by then, pleaded with the army to release Hridoy as well. However, Hridoy remained inside the camp.
Shortly thereafter, local police arrived but refused to sign a document presented by the army. An argument ensued between the police and army personnel, after which the police left without taking Hridoy. The army then transported Hridoy in one of their vehicles to Karimganj Upazila Hospital. Due to the severity of his condition, the hospital referred him to Abdul Hamid Medical College Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries later that night.
Since the interim government of Bangladesh, led by Nobel Peace laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus, assumed power on August 8, 2024, at least nine Bangladeshi citizens have reportedly been victims of extrajudicial killings by law enforcement agencies, including the army, police, and joint forces. These deaths have occurred due to alleged torture and gunfire.
Among the incidents of extrajudicial killings, on September 8, 2024, a man named Elahi Sikdar died at Gopalganj General Hospital while under police custody at Gopalganj District Prison. Elahi had been arrested on September 3 for allegedly attacking army personnel. Dr. Jibitesh Biswas of Gopalganj General Hospital reported that the lower half of Elahi's body exhibited multiple signs of injury.
On September 10, 2024, law enforcement agencies in Gaibandha arrested Mosharof Hossain Sweet (Saghata Awami League President and Saghata Union Parishad Chairman), along with Shafiqul Islam, Shahadat Hossain Polash, Riyajul Islam Rocky, and Sohrab Hossain Apel. Of those detained, Shafiqul Islam died while undergoing treatment at Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital in Bogura, and Sohrab Hossain Apel died at Gaibandha General Hospital. Relatives alleged that both Shafiqul and Apel were tortured while in custody, leading to their deaths.
Additionally, army operations in Khagrachari and Dighinala on September 19, and in Rangamati on September 20, resulted in the deaths of four Indigenous persons, including Junan Chakma, Dhananjoy Chakma, and Rubel Tripura. Three were killed in Khagrachari, and one in Rangamati, reportedly by army gunfire.
Thank you
Mosa Jannatul Ferdaus
Chief Coordinator and Executive Member
JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF)
Email: info@jmbf.org | Website: www.jmbf.org
JMBF is an independent non-profit, nonpartisan human rights organization registered in France with registration number W931027714 under the association law of 1901, dedicated to defending human rights, fighting for justice, and empowering communities in Bangladesh and beyond.
No comments:
Post a Comment