BANGLADESH: Global Human Rights Defence (GHRD) Quarterly Human Rights Report (January – March 2011)

Global Human Rights Defence (GHRD) Quarterly Human Rights Report January – March 2011 Download the report as a pdf  Contents Introduction  Fact finding  NGO reports  Media Reports  Legal developments  Recommendations    In 2011, according to our mandate GHRD will report on human rights issues in Bangladesh on a quarterly basis and will focus on issues of abuse against minorities, particularly those in the Chittagong Hill Tract region, and extra judicial punishments resulting from village arbitration. These reports are the result of fact finding missions conducted by local partner organisations and news monitoring conducted at GHRD headquarters in The Hague.   Introduction In the first quarter of 2011, attacks against human rights defenders dominated reporting from international organisations and the safety of human rights defenders in Bangladesh was of increased concern. Amongst them, our own observer, Shahanur Islam, executive director of the Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights, also came under attack early in the year. Freedom of the press was another concern, Odhikar reported that during the quarter 20 journalists were injured, 20 threatened, 10 assaulted and 3 cases were filed against journalists during the course of their work. Attacks against minority Jumma communities in Chittagong were also highlighted in the international media due to the February 17th attacks when Bengali settlers set fire to Jumma villages, leaving Jumma communities without homes. GHRD’s 2010 year report on human rights in Bangladesh gained wide scale media attention in Bangladesh and abroad following a press conference to announce the release of the report on the 28th of February, organised in association with the Bangladesh Institute for Human Rights. The report will form a platform for future lobbying and discussion on human rights issues against women and minorities. During the quarter, (minority) women were raped and subjected to inhumane extra-judicial punishments in village arbitrations, stalking, attacks and sexual assault.*(1) In particular, Serafina Mardi, a 14 year old minority girl set fire to herself and died from her wounds after being gang raped and then subjected in village arbitrations to marry one of her rapists. Hena Ahkter, a Bangladeshi girl was also publicly whipped to death for an alleged affair with a married man as a result of village arbitration. Her family claims she was in fact raped, however these allegations have not been investigated. In many of the cases investigated, the perpetrators of such crimes benefit from impunity and go unpunished. Dealing with such crimes requires better training of police, better legal protection for victims and witnesses of sexual assault, and better rehabilitation and counseling for victims. Ingrained attitudes in society and traditional customs reinforce these attitudes towards women and this is illustrated by the protests and riots following government announcements of its approval of the National Women Development Policy on international women’s day, the 8th of March. Islamic groups organized protest rallies to demand that the policy be cancelled out of concern that it would interfere with Sharia law. Such attitudes only hinder positive development and it is important that the government does not give in to such extremist demands and follows through on their commitment to ensuring and upholding equal rights for women. *(1) Odhikar reported 29 cases of acid violence, 104 cases of dowry related violence, 127 cases of rape and 203 cases of sexual harassment/ stalking during the quarter. GHRD publishes its year report on Human Rights in Bangladesh Click here to access the report  Fact finding Human Rights Defender, Shahanur Islam attacked Thakurgaon district, 9 January 2011 Mr Shahanur Islam, executive director of the Bangladesh Institute for Human Rights, lawyer and GHRD local partner, was subject to physical assault and verbal threats during the course of his work in January this year. During an investigation on the 9th of January, 2011 Mr. Islam and two fact-finding officers were physically attacked, threatened and had their belongings looted in Thakurgaon district. The attackers threatened Mr Islam and his associates with a pistol and forced them to pose with money while the perpetrators took photos of them. The perpetrators warned the fact-finding team not to inform the police about this incident or they would publish the photos and kill them. To date, one of the perpetrators has been arrested, although the other ten perpetrators continue to benefit from police impunity. When Mr Islam recently went to the region to identify his attackers, the co-accused said that the attack was perpetrated at the request of the secretary of Jubo League (the youth wing of the ruling party, Awami League). He also mentioned that members of the student league and local union parishad unit involved in the incident. Arson attack on Jumma minority community Chittagong Hill Tracts, 17 February 2011 On 17 February 2011, Bengali settlers from the Gulshakhali settler area, Longadu Upazila, Rangamati district in the Chittagong Hill Tracts attacked and set fire to the Jumma villages of Gulshakhali and Rangi Para areas. Around 23 Jumma homes were burnt to ashes. The event occurred shortly after the death of a Bengali settler who went to collect firewood in the forest on Tuesday and did not return. His body was found in Rangipara on Wednesday. The Bengali settlers then carried his dead body during the demonstrations, accusing the Jumma of being responsible for his death. They mounted an arson attack burning around 23 Jumma houses and one school to ashes and injuring two Jumma students. According to PCJSS, Jumma villagers gathered themselves and tried to defend the remaining houses and face off the Bengali settlers. Jumma leaders also informed the local administration including police. However, according to local organisations, both the police and the Border Guards of Bangladesh (BGB) stood by as onlookers while the Bengali settlers set fire to the Jumma houses and failed to act to stop the attacks. It is also alleged by PCJSS that the attack was mounted under the leadership of the Bagachatar union council chairman Wazed Ali and Gulishakhali union council chairman Abdur Rahim, who is also general secretary of Langadu upazila Awami League. The Chittagong Hill Tracts Commission has added its condemnation of this event and has written to the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina about the issue and the lack of action on the part of the Border Guards of Bangladesh. According to the CHT Commission, a day after this incident there were allegations that members of the army were raiding homes of the Jummas and beating up villagers in Kudukchari of Rangamati, following protests made by the Jummas against the attacks in Langadu. Case update on torture of Shila Mullick In our October 2010 report, GHRD reported on a case of police negligence and torture against a Bangladeshi NGO worker, Shila Mullick. Ms. Mullick went to the Madaripur police station to file a case of police negligence regarding the attempted murder of her husband. The then superintendent of police attempted to persuade her to remove her case through means of torture, hitting her with a cane and dragging her by her hair. On 4th of January, 2011 The Supreme Court of Bangladesh issued a rule calling on the government of Bangladesh to take departmental proceedings against the Superintendent. On this day, Ms. Shila Mullick, with the help of GHRD Dhaka observer, Rabindra Ghosh filed a writ petition in the High Court, using the investigative reports of GHRD. The latest status of the case is that the officer in question has been transferred to the traffic and driving school – a small victory in the Bangladeshi system. Ms. Mullick continues to speak out about her abuse and recently spoke at a GHRD press conference held in Dhaka for the release of our 2010 year report on human rights in Bangladesh. Urgent appeals and announcements Ensure the protection of human rights defender Mr. Shahanur Islam [UA-BA-18-01-2011]  Arson attack on Jumma minority community in Rangamati, Chittagong Hill Tracts [UA-BA-22-02-2011]  Urgent Announcement: Cyber attack against Bangladeshi human rights defender Jahangir Alam Akash [03-02-2011]  Call for an end to the harassment of Odhikar secretary and staff by national security agencies [UA-BA-24-03-2011]    Back to top  NGO reports Odhikar Mid-term observation report for the Universal Periodic Review of the Human Rights council Odhikar has published its mid-term observation report for the universal periodic review of the human rights council, citing a failure on the part of the Bangladeshi government to implement its promises made before the international community on key human rights issues during the period 2009-2011. Key issues highlighted by Odhikar include: The occurrence of extra-judicial killings committed by enforcement agencies, particularly the Royal Action Battalion, despite government declarations of “zero-tolerance” for such killings. Torture and unexplained deaths in custody. The death penalty and arbitrary imposition of the penalty due to a lack of transparency and wide scale corruption among the judiciary. Lack of government tolerance for a free media. Violence against women and a lack of adequate investigation and prosecution by the authorities for sexual crimes. Odhikar quarterly report January – March 2011 In its quarterly human rights monitoring report, Odhikar highlighted the following human rights issues: Extra judicial killings - “reported statistics show that every 3 days, 1 person is killed extra judicially” Instances of border killings and political violence, Odhikar also reported that 22 people were killed and 1191 injured during political violence in the month of January 2011 alone. Over half of those injured occurred during the Pourashava (municipality) elections. In Jhenaidah district shops owned by religious minority communities were affected and many have shut down as a result. Politically motivated withdrawals from prosecution of cases involving ruling party leaders and activities. According to Odhikar, on January 11, 2011 a total of 1479 cases were proposed for withdrawal at a meeting of the ‘national committee on reviewing cases for withdrawal’. It has been reported that around 6750 cases were withdrawn under political consideration in the last two years since the Awami League assumed power. RAB disappearances Arson attack against Jumma community in Rangamati district, CHT Widespread violence against women and instances of village arbitration including: sexual harassment, stalking, dowry-related violence, rape and acid attacks Click here to access the Odhikar mid-term assessment report  Click here to access the Odhikar quarterly report    Back to top  Media Reports Serafina Mardi ,14 year old ethnic minority girl set fire to herself and died after gang rape (BBC, Daily Star, New Age) In February, Serafina Mardi, a 14 year old minority girl committed suicide by setting herself on fire. She later died on 17 February of severe burns. Serafina was gang raped by nine indigenous men in April 2010. She initially filed a complaint with the police against the men but it was not pursued. According to news reports the rapists were influential in the local community and the accused men forced her family to agree to an out of court settlement in exchange for money. As part of the settlement, orchestrated through village arbitration, her family forced her to marry one of the rapists. Only after protests by the indigenous community have the police taken action and arrested 10 people, including indigenous community leaders and a catholic priest, Father Bernard Tudu, for their involvement in the out-of-court settlement. Nevertheless, the rapists have not been charged for their crimes and continue to benefit from this impunity. Bangladeshi girl publically whipped to death in village arbitration for an alleged affair with a married man (BBC, CNN) Hena Ahkter, a Bangladeshi girl was publicly whipped and died from her wounds for an alleged affair with a married man. She was sentenced to receive 80 lashes by village elders who accused her of having an affair with her cousin, Mahbub Khan. Her family state that Hena was in fact raped. Mr Khan was also sentenced to receive lashes for rape but escaped before punishment. Local authorities arrested and detained the imam of the local mosque and other village elders responsible for the fatwa ruling but no prosecutions have yet been made. The claim of rape has not been investigated by the authorities and it is unknown whether Mr Khan, the alleged rapist has been found. Jumma women raped in CHT (BIHR) On 10 February 2011 a 22 year-old Jumma woman was raped by two Bengali settlers in Naikhyongchari Upazila district in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Despite the perpetrators being identified, none have been arrested. Indigenous Marma girl raped (Daily Star, BDnews, Banglanews) A teenage indigenous Marma girl from Bandarban district was raped in Bahaddarhat. The perpetrators tied up her uncle, stole their belongings and took footage of the rape – threatening the girl and her uncle that they would release the tape if they disclosed the matter to anyone. The police are investigating the case and arrested the owner and manager of the hotel. Neither has been charged for the rape. Acting Editor of the Daily Amar Desh re-arrested following release from jail (Daily Star, BDnews, Odhikar) On March 17, Mahmudur Rahman, the acting editor of the Daily Amar Desh was released from the Gazipur District Jail after serving nine and half months in prison for writing against government corruption and the politicisation of judiciary. A warrant for his arrest has again been issued, this time for a report published in the Daily Amar Desh on April 4, 2010 mentioning that “there are also war criminals among the top Awami Leaders and the relatives (of the Prime Minister)”. Call for an end to the harassment of Odhikar secretary and staff by government intelligence agencies National security agents have been following and harassing Odhikar’s Secretary Mr Adilur Rahman Khan, his family and other Odhikar staff members since October 2010. According to Odhikar, members of government intelligence agencies have been monitoring Odhikar and its secretary, Advocate Adilur Rahman Khan since March 14, 2011, following Odhikar’s 3rd Annual Human Rights Defenders Conference on the 12th and 13th of March. Government intelligence agencies have been following Mr Khan to his home and harassing his family members and employees, enquiring about his movements and schedule. National intelligence agents have also been requesting documentation on Odhikar which has already been submitted to the NGO Affairs Bureau. Under the Foreign Donations (Voluntary Activities) Regulation Rules 1978, any NGO receiving funding from abroad must register with the NGO bureau and apply for registration. This registration must be approved by the Ministry of Home Affairs and can be cancelled at any time. These requirements restrict civil society activities in Bangladesh make it easy for the government to influence NGO conduct and even shut them down, in instances where an NGO criticises the government. This practice is not transparent and is a form of intimidation which attempts to influence every level of an NGO’s activities. On the 24th of March 2011 GHRD sent out an urgent announcement, lending its voice to the condemnations against this harassment from other international human rights organisations. GHRD is alarmed by this increased surveillance and intimidation of Odhikar staff and it is clear that these tactics are designed to slow down Odhikar’s human rights activities. GHRD condemns these acts and demands that the intimidation of Mr Khan, his family and the staff at Odhikar ceases immediately.   Back to top  Legal developments Ethnic groups and minorities not recognised in 2011 government population and household census The government population and household census conducted in mid-March failed to recognise over 40 distinct ethnic groups in Bangladesh, many of which reside in the Chittagong Hill Tracts region. The census provided for 27 distinct ethnic categories. Examples of such groups that are not categorised in the census questionnaire are the Mahatos, Baraiks, Mahalis, Ahamias, Rajbangshis, Rais and many others. Without conducting a census, these groups go uncounted but are estimated to account for around 1 million of the population. Mizanur Rahman, the Human Rights Commission chairman has publically stated that failing to recognize ethnic and minority communities such as Dalits, Harikans, and transsexuals constitutes a human rights violation. This lack of recognition has sparked discussion on the lack of recognition of ethnic minorities in the Constitution of Bangladesh and on 19 March 2011 indigenous peoples of Bangladesh organised human chain across the country demanding constitutional recognition as indigenous peoples. Chairman of the parliamentary caucus on indigenous affairs, Rashed Khan Menon stated that problems in the Chittagong Hill Tracts cannot be fixed without such constitutional recognition of ethnic minorities. National Women Development Policy The government has approved the National Women Development Policy (NWDP) 2011, which aims to provide women with opportunities in employment and business and provision of equal shares in property. Traditionally, under Bangladeshi law women are discriminated against in terms of inheritance - the NWDP would change this and every child would be entitled to inherit the same amount. The government intends to enact news laws to give effect to the policy. However, when asked whether the policy would contradict with the Muslim family law, Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury, the state minister for women and children affairs said the NWDP is not a law and does not affect the inheritance laws. This statement seems to be contradictory to the spirit of the policy. The government announcement was met with protest rallies from Islamic groups demanding the policy be withdrawn on the basis that the policy would interfere with Sharia law. Protest rallies held on the 11 march, directly soon after the governments’ announcement, and more recently on the 26 March, 3rd and 4th of April were organised by the Islamic groups Islami Ain Bastobayon Committee (IABC) and Islami Oikyo Jote (IOJ). They also demanded that the ban on fatwa punishments be lifted, threatening tougher movement to oust the government if their demands are not met. On the 3rd April, a student from an Islamic school was shot dead and 30 others were injured during another protest against women’s rights and the women’s development policy in Jessore district.   Protests against the National Women’s Development Policy during the general strike called by Islamic Law Implementation Committee on 4th April, 2011. Source: New Age newspaper The NWDP is a revival of an earlier 1997 policy, in fulfilment of an election pledge by the Awami league. Similar announcements have been made in the past in 2004 and 2008 but the government has not followed through on these announcements. In particular, the government made announcements of a Women’s Development Policy in 2008, which were met with protests from Islamic lobbyists. The government made no move to pursue the policy until its recent announcement in 2011. GHRD urges the government of Bangladesh not to give in to extremist demands and follows through on their commitment to ensuring and upholding equal rights for women. It is also important that the government take specific measures in law and policy to ensure equal opportunity for women. It remains to be seen whether the government fully intends to follow through on the policy and GHRD will continue to monitor the progress of the NWDP in the future. High Court decreed the stalking of women a sexual offence (Daily Star) In March 2011 the High Court declared stalking of girls and women illegal, and directed the government to consider the offence as sexual harassment. The ruling follows a rise in incidences of stalking and suicides as a result. The court asked the government to properly define ‘sexual harassment’ and to make stalking an offence in the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act. The court also asked the government to provide protection for victims and witnesses and to address the mental trauma experienced by victims. However, GHRD notes that High Court rulings in the past have tended to be disregarded. Back to top  Recommendations In light of the cases investigated and researched by GHRD in consultation with its local Bangladesh partners in the period January- March 2011, GHRD makes the following recommendations: End all intimidation and harassment of human rights defenders and journalists and prosecute all those responsible for attacks, intimidation and harassment against human rights defenders. Take all measures necessary to protect them during the course of their work. Make the law and process for NGO registration transparent – Any government decision to withdraw an NGO’s registration must be informed, justified and transparent. Police authorities must adequately investigate all criminal cases that are filed with them and all those responsible must be arrested and prosecuted. In cases where extra-judicial punishments have been carried out, the authorities must fully prosecute those who order and carry out these inhumane rulings. Cases of sexual assault and rape must be fully investigated, even in cases where the victim or their family have been pressured into settling their cases outside of the legal process. The government of Bangladesh must follow through on its Women’s Day promises and put the approved National Women’s Development Policy into effect, not only through legislation but through active social programmes and policies that enable women to have equal opportunities. The government must not give in to extremist demands to withdraw the policy and must maintain its commitment to equal opportunity for women. The Bangladeshi government must provide adequate legal processes to deal with cases of rape and sexual assault that are presented to the authorities and also provide rehabilitation and support for female victims of rape who have experienced gross trauma. Recognise ethnic and minority communities in the Constitution of Bangladesh and reflect this in government data collection, particularly the population and household census. This is a first step towards protecting minorities throughout the country. Back to top  Local Observers and Partners GHRD Dhaka conducts fact finding investigations and provides legal assistance to minority victims of human rights violations in Bangladesh. In addition GHRD Dhaka, collaborates with Parittran (Dalit Rights), Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights, Bangladesh Rehabilitation Centre for Trauma Victims and Bangladesh Minority Watch. GHRD Dhaka, Observer Advocate Rabindra Ghosh 3/2 Purana Paltan – Purana Paltan P.S, Dhaka-1000 Phone nr : + 0711172468 Bangladesh Minority Watch (BDMW) 12, K.M. Das Lane- Tikatully- Bholagiri Trust- Sutrapur PS, Dhaka.Telephone: 0088-01711172468, bdmw.org. Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights (BIHR) 27, Bijoy Nagar, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh, Cell:+8801720308080; Phone: + 88 02 9349851, Fax:+88028352166; Email:bihr@bangla.net, saikotbihr@gmail.com, bihr-bihr.blogspot.com . Bangladesh Rehabilitation Centre for Trauma Victims (BRCT) 27, Bijoy Nagar, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh, Phone nr: +88 02 934 9851, Fax: +88 02 831 5912, Email: brct@citechco.net, brct.org . Parittran, Laksmanpur, P. O.: Shubhashini – 9420 P.S.: Tala, Satkhira, Phone nr: +8801713425610 Email: dalit_bd@yahoo.com parittran@yahoo.com, dalitbangladesh.wordpress.com.

News broadcusts on different chnnel regarding to publish Human Rights Report 2010:Minority in Bangladesh

Links of different TV news regarding Publishing "Human Rights Report 2010: Minorities in Bangladesh"

RTV

http://www.youtube.com/user/saikotbihr#p/u/0/aiP0s5mCKU8

NTV

http://www.youtube.com/user/saikotbihr#p/u/1/TSwtehmVKRo

ETV

http://www.youtube.com/user/saikotbihr#p/u/2/hm3lGZqFd10

Diganto TV

http://www.youtube.com/user/saikotbihr#p/u/3/t-sch2HPRH0

Desh TV

http://www.youtube.com/user/saikotbihr#p/u/4/J7jcl0TuG2s

Channel I

http://www.youtube.com/user/saikotbihr#p/u/5/P_uHI-7Upgc

Boishakhi TV

http://www.youtube.com/user/saikotbihr#p/u/6/rCOwhYWvpUw

Banglavision

http://www.youtube.com/user/saikotbihr#p/u/7/Swq9wz0MwU8

ATN Bangla

http://www.youtube.com/user/saikotbihr#p/u/8/WmyKBBsgBHI

News published on different newspaper regarding publishing Human Rights Report 2010:Minority in Bangladesh

চেয়ারম্যানের অভিযোগ : প্রধানমন্ত্রীর অনুমোদনের পরও জনবল পায়নি মানবাধিকার কমিশন

জাতীয় মানবাধিকার কমিশনের চেয়ারম্যান ড. মিজানুর রহমান অভিযোগ করে বলেছেন, চার মাস আগে প্রধানমন্ত্রীর অনুমোদনের পরও জনবল পায়নি মানবাধিকার কমিশন। গতকাল সকালে ঢাকা রিপোর্টার্স ইউনিটির মিলনায়তনে বিআইএইচআরের মানবাধিকারবিষয়ক প্রতিবেদন প্রকাশ অনুষ্ঠানে প্রধান অতিথির বক্তব্যে তিনি এ অভিযোগ করেন।

অনুষ্ঠানে বিআইএইচআরের নির্বাহী পরিচালক এডভোকেট শাহানুর ইসলাম সৈকত বলেন, ২০১০ সালে ১ হাজার ৬৫৩টি মানবাধিকার লঙ্ঘনের ঘটনা ঘটেছে। এছাড়া ২০১১ সালের জানুয়ারি ও ফেব্রুয়ারি মাসে একই ঘটনা ঘটেছে ২০০টি। গ্লোবাল হিউম্যান রাইটস ডিফেন্স ও বাংলাদেশ ইনস্টিটিউট অফ হিউম্যান রাইটস যৌথভাবে এ তথ্য প্রকাশ করে।

জাতীয় মানবাধিকার কমিশনের চেয়ারম্যান ড. মিজানুর রহমান বলেন, আমরা শুধুমাত্র সংখ্যালঘুদের মানবাধিকার নিয়ে কাজ করি না। আমরা প্রত্যেকটি মানুষের মানবাধিকার নিয়ে কাজ করি। সব ঘটনাকেই মানবাধিকার লঙ্ঘন বলা যাবে না। রাষ্ট্রীয় পৃষ্ঠপোষকতায় যেসব ঘটনা ঘটে এবং যেসব ঘটনা ঘটার পর রাষ্ট্র নিষ্ক্রিয় থাকে সেগুলো মানবাধিকার লঙ্ঘন বলা যায়।

মিজানুর রহমান বলেন, আমরা বলছি না যে বর্তমানে মানবাধিকার লঙ্ঘন হচ্ছে না। তবে আগের তুলনায় অনেক কমেছে এটি বলতে পারি। তিনি অভিযোগ করে বলেন, ২০১০ সালের জুন মাসে আমাকে দায়িত্ব দেয়ার পর অক্টোবর মাসে প্রধানমন্ত্রী একটি ফাইলে সই করেছেন। যাতে মানবাধিকার কমিশনে ২৮ জন জনবল নিয়োগের অনুমতি থাকার পরও আমলাদের কারণে এখন পর্যন্ত জনবল পাইনি। তারপরও যারা জনবল নিয়োগে গড়িমসি করছেন সেসব আমলাদের বলতে চাই আপনারা জনবল না দিলেও যে ক'জন আছে তাদের নিয়েই মানবাধিকার রক্ষায় কাজ করে যাব।
বিআইএইচআরের রিপোর্টের সমালোচনা করে মিজানুর রহমান বলেন, এত দ্রুত বহির্বিশ্বে রিপোর্ট না পাঠিয়ে আপনারা আমাদের কাছে আসুন। আমরা যদি সমাধান দিতে পারি তাহলে কেন বিদেশিদের কাছে যাবেন। প্রকাশিত রিপোর্টটি একটি সাদামাটা রিপোর্ট বলেও তিনি মন্তব্য করেন। অনুষ্ঠানে নির্যাতিত কয়েকজন ব্যক্তিও তাদের নির্যাতনের তথ্য তুলে ধরেন।

মূল প্রতিবেদনে এডভোকেট শাহানুর ইসলাম বলেন, ২০১০ সালে হিন্দু, আহমাদিয়া মুসলিম, দলিত, আদিবাসী ও পাহাড়ি সংখ্যালঘু সমপ্রদায়ের ওপর বার বার নির্যাতনের ঘটনা ঘটেছে। ভূমি দখল, উচ্ছেদ, ধর্ষণ ও মন্দিরে হামলা ছিল নিত্যনৈমিত্তিক ব্যাপার। পার্বত্য শান্তিচুক্তি এখনো বাস্তবায়িত হয়নি।

তিনি বলেন, নারী নির্যাতন, সাংবাদিক ও মানবাধিকার কর্মীরা ২০১০ সালে ধারাবাহিকভাবে হুমকির মুখোমুখি হয়েছেন। স্থানীয় ক্ষমতাশালী অপরাধী ও সরকার কর্তৃক মিথ্যা অভিযোগ ও অপরাধে জড়িতকরণসহ বিভিন্নভাবে হয়রানি করা হয়েছে। অনেক বাংলাদেশি সাংবাদিক ও মানবাধিকার কর্মী দেশে ফিরে আসলে নির্যাতিত হওয়ার ভয়ে নিজেদের নির্বাসিত করে রেখেছেন।

পুলিশের অবহেলার কথা উল্লেখ করে রিপোর্টে বলা হয়, দুর্নীতি, পুলিশের অবহেলা, দায় থেকে অব্যাহতি প্রদান ও ক্ষতিগ্রস্তদের পক্ষে ন্যায়বিচার প্রাপ্তির সার্বিক অভাব ২০১০ সালে তথ্যানুসন্ধানকৃত সব ঘটনায় দেখা গেছে। তিনি বলেন, ২০১০ সালে আওয়ামী লীগ সরকার কিছু উদ্যোগ গ্রহণ করায় রাজনৈতিকভাবে সংখ্যালঘু সমপ্রদায় বৃহৎ আকারে প্রতিনিধিত্ব করছে এবং এ বছরে নির্যাতন কিছুটা কমেছে। তিনি বলেন, যদি সরকার চূড়ান্তভাবে সবার জন্য মানবাধিকার নিশ্চিতকরণের জন্য তার প্রদত্ত ওয়াদা বাস্তবায়ন না করে তাহলে ২০১১ সালেও ২০১০ সালের মতো ঘটনা ঘটতে পারে।

আটকাবস্থায় নির্যাতন বন্ধে প্রজ্ঞাপন জারি করুন

 আটকাবস্থায় রিমান্ডের নামে নির্যাতন বন্ধ করতে বিশেষ প্রজ্ঞাপন জারি করার জন্য স্বরাষ্ট্রমন্ত্রীর প্রতি আহ্বান জানিয়েছেন জাতীয় মানবাধিকার কমিশনের চেয়ারম্যান মিজানুর রহমান।

গতকাল সোমবার ঢাকা রিপোর্টার্স ইউনিটিতে ‘বাংলাদেশ সংখ্যালঘু মানবাধিকার প্রতিবেদন ২০১০’ প্রকাশ উপলক্ষে আয়োজিত এক অনুষ্ঠানে তিনি এ আহ্বান জানান। গ্লোবাল হিউম্যান রাইটস ডিফেন্স (জিএইচআরডি) এবং বাংলাদেশ ইনস্টিটিউট অব হিউম্যান রাইটস (বিআইএইচআর) ওই অনুষ্ঠানের আয়োজন করে।

এতে স্বরাষ্ট্রমন্ত্রীর উদ্দেশে মিজানুর রহমান বলেন, ‘আটকাবস্থায় নির্যাতন, মৃত্যু কাম্য নয়। এটি বন্ধে আইন দরকার নেই। শুধু একটি প্রজ্ঞাপন জারি করুন।’ যদি কেউ নির্যাতন করেন, সঙ্গে সঙ্গে তাঁকে সাময়িকভাবে বহিষ্কার করা এবং তদন্তে দোষী হলে তাঁর বিরুদ্ধে আইনি ব্যবস্থা নেওয়ার কথা উল্লেখ করে ওই প্রজ্ঞাপন জারির অনুরোধ জানান তিনি।

আইনশৃঙ্খলা রক্ষাকারী বাহিনীর হাতে নির্যাতন ও হত্যার ঘটনা তুলনামূলকভাবে কমেছে উল্লেখ করে মিজানুর রহমান বলেন, ‘তবে আমরা চাই, এটি শূন্যের কোঠায় নিয়ে আসতে।’ সংখ্যালঘুদের মানবাধিকার লঙ্ঘনের ঘটনাও লক্ষণীয় মাত্রায় কমেছে বলে মন্তব্য করেন তিনি।

অনুষ্ঠানের আয়োজকেরা জানান, ২০১০ সালে সারা দেশে সংখ্যালঘুদের ওপর মানবাধিকার লঙ্ঘনের এক হাজার ৬৫০টি ঘটনা ঘটেছে। এর মধ্যে তাঁরা ৭০টি ঘটনার তদন্ত করেছেন। তাঁরা আন্তর্জাতিক সম্প্রদায়ের কাছে এ প্রতিবেদন প্রকাশের কথা জানান।

আয়োজকদের এ বক্তব্যের পরিপ্রেক্ষিতে মানবাধিকার কমিশনের চেয়ারম্যান প্রথমেই এটি না করার অনুরোধ জানিয়ে বলেন, ‘শুরুতেই বহির্বিশ্বের কাছে না গিয়ে আগে কমিশনকে বলুন। কমিশন কিছু করতে ব্যর্থ হলে বহির্বিশ্বে যান।’

অনুষ্ঠানে মূল প্রতিবেদন উপস্থাপন করেন বিআইএইচআরের নির্বাহী পরিচালক শাহানূর ইসলাম। অনুষ্ঠানে অন্যদের মধ্যে বিআইএইচআরের সভাপতি মোহাম্মদ আলমগীর, নেদারল্যান্ডস-ভিত্তিক মানবাধিকার সংগঠন জিএইচআরডির পরিদর্শক রবীন্দ্র ঘোষ প্রমুখ বক্তব্য দেন।

Rights group appalled by situation of Bangladesh religious, ethnic minorities Read more: http://www.allheadlinenews.com/briefs/articles/90036739?Rights+group+appalled+by+situation+of+Bangladesh+religious,+ethnic+minorities#ixzz1G1GuMT7U

Report finds that rights defenders continued to be threatened and many remained in exile for fear of persecution should they return to Bangladesh.

A human rights group says the situation of religious and ethnic minorities in Bangladesh is appalling.

The annual Global Human Rights Defense report, released at a press conference in Dhaka, said that women were subjected to incidents of assault, rape and institutional gender-based violence in the form of extrajudicial punishments and arbitrary detention in the name of their "safe custody."

HR violation prevalent in country: HRC chief

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Chairman Prof Dr Mizanur Rahman Khan on Monday said human rights violation is prevalent in the country despite its rate decreasing.

Prof Khan said torture in custody will reduce considerably if the home ministry issues a notice announcing special punishment for it.

He was addressing a press conference to launch a report on Human Rights of Minorities in Bangladesh in 2010.

Global Human Rights Defence (GHRD) and Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights (BIHR) jointly organised the press conference at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity in the city.

HR of minority groups improves

Human rights of the minority community have slightly improved in 2010 in the country due to some effective steps of the government, according to a recent human rights report.

The report said 2010 saw some improvement for minorities as members of minorities held several important positions of the government and some steps were taken towards controlling the curriculum of Madrasha.

Global Human Rights Defense (GHRD) and Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights (BIHR) jointly prepared the report titled ‘Human Rights Report 2010: Minorities in Bangladesh’, which was released at Dhaka Reporter
s Unity yesterday morning.

NHRC chairman for returning vested properties to minority

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) chairman Prof Dr Mizanur Rahman has urged the government to form a special committee to return the vested properties to the minority community.

“I recommend forming a special committee headed by Prof Abul Barakat, who is working in the field, to return the vested properties to the minority community,” he said at a function marking the release of human rights report at Dhaka Reporter
s Unity (DRU) yesterday morning.

Global Human Rights Defense (GHRD) and Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights (BIHR) jointly prepared the report, titled ‘Human Rights Report 2010: Minorities in Bangladesh’.

Red tapism blamed for Poor manpower

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) chairman, Dr. Mizanur Rahman, on Monday blamed bureaucratic tangle for the lack of required manpower in NHRC. Rahman said the commission is yet to get the 28 professionals whose appointment was cleared by the Prime Minister four months ago.

The NHRC chairman was speaking on the sidelines of a programme organized by Global Human Rights Defence (GHRD) and Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights (BIHR) on the occasion of publishing Human Rights Report-2011 on the minorities in Bangladesh.