Torture and extrajudicial killings continued unabated with impunity in most of the cases, the space for freedom of expression further shrank, journalists reporting cases of corruption and rights violations became victims of judicial harassment, attacks and threats and human rights defenders were subjected to harassment in Bangladesh in 2010-2011. This was stated by the New York-based international rights organisation, International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) in its annual report on the situation of human rights defenders in about 70 countries.
The report was released on Monday at a press conference at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
The chapter on Bangladesh in the report stated that parliament was running without the opposition raising concerns about the effectiveness of the legislative process and about the opposition’s ability to influence government policies.
The report said impunity for acts of torture and ill-treatment, as well as extrajudicial killings continued during 2010-2011. Despite high level assurances to the contrary, successive governments have shown indifference to these practices.
Although torture is prohibited by the constitution, torture and ill-treatment remained pervasive and was practised regularly by law enforcement agencies, the report said adding that torture was not a criminal offence under Bangladeshi law.
‘In addition,’ the report said, ‘despite the widespread and well-known practice, magistrates continued to admit statements from accused persons held in remand detention.’
The Border Security Force of India also continued to commit human rights violations, including killings, abductions and torture and other forms of violence along the India-Bangladesh border. The BSF also frequently conducted operations deep in Bangladeshi territories.
‘Yet, these concerns were not raised by prime minister Sheikh Hasina during her official visit to India in January 2010,’ said the report.
It said the space for freedom of opinion and expression continued to shrink as attacks on and harassment of journalists by supporters of political parties, closure of and restrictions placed on newspapers and television stations remained widespread.
About the bill tabled in parliament seeking amendment to the Anti-Corruption Commission Act requiring the commission to obtain government permission for suing public servants on graft charges, the report said the proposed amendments would significantly strengthen the government’s control over the commission.
Journalists exposing cases of corruption and denouncing human rights violations continued to suffer severe consequences, including judicial harassment, torture and ill-treatment. In particular, the daily newspaper Amar Desh and its staff members were targeted by the police and the judiciary, the report said.
It also mentioned the arrest of Amar Desh acting editor Mahmudur Rahman, subsequent cases filed against him and Supreme Court verdict sentencing him and special correspondent Oliullah Noman on contempt of court charges, cancellation of declaration of Amar Desh forcing suspension of its publication and resumption of the publication through Supreme Court order.
Journalists also became victims of physical attacks and threats for reporting on human rights issues, the report said.
It also mentioned that New Age editor Nurul Kabir on February 23 and 26, 2010 was threatened with dire consequences for himself and his family if he continued ‘to write and speak against terrorism and violence’.
Human rights defenders and organisations continued to be subjected to various acts of harassment, including killings, in 2010-2011 for denouncing human rights violations committed by security forces, the report said.
On March 15, 2010, Abdullah Al Farooq, a lawyer and human rights defender with Odhikar, who provided legal support to the poor victims, was killed by unknown persons, it mentioned.
On March 22, 2010, an exhibition organised by Drik Gallery highlighting the crossfire killings committed by RAB was closed down by the police before being later allowed to reopen by a decision of the High Court on March 29, 2010, the report stated.
It also mentioned that the human rights organisation Odhikar continued to face serious obstacles in carrying out its activities, as Bangladeshi authorities decided to cancel several of its proposed human rights projects.
Source: newagebd.com/newspaper1
Read More on Hotels Dhaka
No comments:
Post a Comment