PRESS RELEASE: Government security forces stand idle as indigenous communities attacked in Bangladesh

Houses burnt to ashes in arson attack on Jumma minority communities in Rangamati and Khagrachari, Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh

Over one hundred houses and one school were burnt to ashes in two different attacks against indigenous minority communities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh in February and April leaving hundreds of indigenous men women and children injured and homeless. The attacks were instigated by some 200-300 Muslim Bengali settlers, following the death of a Bengali settler, Saber Ali, which the settlers blamed the indigenous people for. There is suspicion that Saber Ali was killed by the Bengali settlers to provide an excuse to evict the indigenous peoples from the area.

Government security forces were present but did nothing to stop the attacks; rather they stood by passively and watched. Instead of promoting transparent investigations and reporting, the government proclaimed an ‘emergency curfew’ prohibiting any access to the area following the attacks. In May 2011, Global Human Rights Defence’s (GHRD) local partner in Bangladesh, the only human rights organization to do so, led an undercover mission to the area investigating the attacks and took witness statements from many of the victims. While the government has provided some compensation to the victims in the form of money (5000 Bangladesh taka per family – the equivalent of 46 euros) and foodstuffs, this is insufficient and many of those who lost their homes continue to live in tents or temporary shelter. The authorities have also failed to fully investigate the attacks or bring those responsible to justice, despite identification of the main perpetrators of the violence. At the time of writing of this press release no-one had yet been arrested.

During our team’s investigations, the local authorities expressed strong suspicion towards any international involvement in the region. Our observers were approached and questioned on multiple occasions by members of the Border Guards of Bangladesh (BGB) and by the district special branch of police who requested information on the identity of the team, the organisation they worked for and purpose for their visit.

Land grabbing and disputes over land continue to be the main reason for attacks by Bengali settlers against the Jumma in the CHT region. Implementation of the 1997 Peace Accord was a major election promise of the ruling government, the Awami League. It is paramount that the government be held accountable for these promises and take action to bring peace to the region implement the Accord, and protect the homes and security of the indigenous peoples in the region. GHRD collected police reports, photos and video statements from the location and is available to provide additional information upon request. Video statement of the victim:2,3 If you would like more information please contact: Jenny Lundström Human Rights Officer Global Human Rights Defence Laan van Meerdervoort 70 2517 AN The Hague, The Netherlands Tel: +31 (0)70 3450692 Email: jlundstrom@ghrd.org

Bangladesh: Arson attack on Jumma minority community in Khagrachari, Chittagong Hill Tracts [UA-BA-20-04-2011]

Bangladesh: Arson attack on Jumma minority community in Rangamati, Chittagong Hill Tracts [UA-BA-22-02-2011]

2010 JusticeMaker Shahanur Islam publishes flyer

 

In preparation for a community information session that he will conduct in the near future, JM 2010 Shahanur Islam recently republished a brochure about human rights standards in Bangladesh. As the head of the Bangladesh Institute for Human Rights (BIHR), Shahanur first designed the brochure several months ago, in preparation for a door-to-door campaign to highlight the problem of torture in prisons. The pamphlet empowers ordinary Bangladeshis by informing them—in language easily understood by a layperson—of their rights once they are behind bars. As part of the community information session, Shahanur intends to distribute the brochure to residents of Dhaka who have fallen victim to police abuse.

Shahanur says that his intention in creating and publishing the pamphlet was to remove a “veil of silence” that keeps torture victims from asserting their rights as human beings and citizens of their own country. Understanding that citizen activism is often muffled by illiteracy and a lack of education, the brochure contains short, impactful phrases that ordinary citizens can learn ad share with their neighbours and friends, to help amplify their voices.

Written entirely in Bangla, the brochure includes information on constitutional, legal and religious prohibitions against torture. It also addresses the kinds of acts which constitute torture, and statistics about the frequency with which it occurs in Bangladesh.

Flyer contains

Aim:

• to convey the message of human rights and law at each and every house of the community;
• to cultivate a culture of human rights which will make people dutiful and tolerant to each other through practice.

How will the Information Session Proceed?

• Join the view exchange meeting first
• Read and follow the human rights curriculum
• Participate in the rallies protesting torture

Where is torture prohibited?

• Article 35(5) of the Constitution of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh
• Article 5 of Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)
• Article 7 of International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)
• Obligation of Compensation is mentioned in Civil Procedure
• Criminal Procedure Code
• UN Convention Against Torture
• In the religious and holy books

Let us make people aware of the prohibitions on torture mentioned in the constitution, law and religion.

How do we suffer as a result of torture?

• A person is punished physically
• A person loses mental inspiration to work
• Economic life of a person becomes damaged
• A person loses his life
• Torture creates panic and fear in society
• A person’s personality is affected
• A person becomes burden upon his family
• Torture is threat to democracy
• Torture is threat to development

Torture is a Social Disease:

Incidences of torture in Bangladesh have increased alarmingly over the past years. Death, rape, sexual harassment, and blackmail are endemic problems. Though it is the duty of the police to protect citizens against violence, they themselves have allegedly killed many people and destroyed many lives in custody.

Self Realization:

It is essential for awareness of torture and its consequences are more widespread in order for Bangladeshi society to become “torture free”.

Appeal:

Come on! To uproot these diseases from our society lets us empower the women and increase the capabilities of people and create opportunities for every one to make the administrators accountable to us, in order to build up a torture free society.

Let us speak out against torture before we become its victims. Let us generate a movement!

The lesson/slogan:

Who are we: Owners of the state

The Constitution declares that: We are the owners of the state

Public officers are: The servants of the people

Accountable administration: The requirement of the time

Democracy requires: Accountable administration

Neither will I torture: Nor I will be tortured

My home is: Torture free

Torture in police remand is: A violation of Human rights

Torture in police custody is: A violation of the constitution

Rule of laws: Determines the jurisdiction of police

To provide public service: Is the duty of the police

Torture of children and women is: A violation of human rights

For the development and children and women: Human rights are essential

To establish human rights: We should be conscious

To establish human rights: Passion is essential

To gear up our mental strength: Let us learn human rights

Build a group based on human rights: Mental strength will be enhance

Get organised: Get more wealth

Live with human rights: Build new society

Practice human rights: Preserve the resources of the state

To drive human rights: We should be conscious

Learn human rights: To build new society

Core of human rights is: Development of the people

Main theme of the development: Capability of the people

If you do your duty: I will get my rights

Preserve one’s rights, first: Enjoy your own rights then

The people of Bangladesh: Resist torture

Torture free Bangladesh: Promise to build one

Aim should be politics: Main theme is human rights

The lights of human rights: Lit in every house.

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