Bangladesh Human Rights Report Jan-Mar 2011 by Odhikar
Bangladesh Human Rights Report Jan-Mar 2011 by Odhikar
Bangladesh Human Rights Report Jan-Mar 2011 by Odhikar
Odhikar defends civil, political, social, economic and cultural rights of the people and as
part of its mission, observes reports and analyses the human rights situation of Bangladesh.
Odhikar documents and records violations of human rights and receives information from its
1
network of human rights defenders as well as from monitoring media reports in twelve
national daily newspapers. Odhikar conducts detailed fact-finding investigations where
serious violations occur.
In line with this campaign, an account of the human rights situation of Bangladesh covering
the 3 months of January, February and March 2011 is presented below:
Types of death
Crossfire/encounter/gun fight:
6. It has been alleged that 28 persons were killed in ‘crossfire/encounters/gun fights’.
Of these deaths, 19 were killed in the hands of RAB, 06 by police and 03 by RAB-
police jointly.
1
The daily Jugantor, 27/01/2011
2
Fact finding report of Odhikar, dated 03/02/2011
3
The daily Prothom Alo, 04/02/2011, 1st page, reported by special correspondent, http://www.prothom-
alo.com/detail/date/2011-02-04/news/128857
4
The daily New Age, 04/02/2011; the daily Amar Desh, 05/02/2011, 1st page, staff reporter/Jheniadah
correspondent, http://amardeshonline.com/pages/details/2011/02/04/66532
2
Death due to torture:
7. Of the deceased, 04 were allegedly tortured to death. Among them, 03 were
allegedly tortured to death by police and 01 by jail authority.
Beaten to death:
8. Of the deceased, 01 person was allegedly beaten to death by police.
Death in custody
10. From January to March 2011, 38 persons died in custody. Among them, 25 persons
died in jail. Among those, 21 persons allegedly died due to ‘sickness’; an 18 month
old child was kept in prison with her mother, where she died within 12 days due to
lack of treatment; and 3 persons died due to unknown reasons. Another 12 persons
were allegedly killed extra judicially while under custody of RAB and police and
the jail authority respectively. One former BDR jawan also died during this time
while in custody.
Bangladeshi girl killed and hung on barbed wire fence by the BSF
11. Human rights violations by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) at border areas
continue in 2011. The BSF are killing Bangladeshi nationals either by shooting at
them or torturing them. BSF have also killed farmers at work in the fields by
intruding into Bangladesh territory. On January 7, 2011, a 15-year old girl, Felani
Khatun, was shot and killed by the BSF while she was entering Bangladesh from
India, near the international 947 pillar of the Anantapur border in Phulbari Upazila
under Kurigram district. The BSF took down Felani’s body after 5 hours and
handed her body over to BGB after 30 hours.5
12. BSF Director General Raman Sribastav stated, in a joint press briefing on March 12,
2011, after a 5-day DG level conference between Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB)
and BSF held in New Delhi, that “non-lethal weapons will be given to the border
guards at the sensitive areas in India-Bangladesh frontiers. This is an experimental
decision. If it is succeeded, it would be implemented in 4096 kilometers border
areas between the two countries.” He said that BSF does not want to kill any
Bangladeshi citizens.6
13. The BSF allegedly killed 907 unarmed Bangladeshis between1 January 2000 and 31
March 2011.
5
Fact finding report of Odhikar, dated 16/01/2011
6
The daily Prothom Alo, 13/03/2011, Page 1, reported by New Delhi correspondent
3
14. Odhikar believes that the Government of Bangladesh has the responsibility to
demand for international investigations regarding such killings of Bangladeshi
citizens by the BSF residing at the border areas.
15. According to information gathered by Odhikar, from January – March 2011, along
the India Bangladesh border, the BSF reportedly killed 05 Bangladeshis. Of the
deceased, 03 were allegedly shot and 02 tortured to death. 30 Bangladeshis were
injured by BSF’s atrocities. Furthermore, 03 persons were reported abducted by the
BSF during this period.
7
Student wing of Awami League
8
Youth wing of Awami League
9
The daily Jugantor, 09/10/2010
10
The daily Amader Shomoy, 13/10/2010
11
The Daily Star, 14/10/2010
12
The daily Prothom Alo, 11/03/2011, Natore correspondent
4
backed Chhatra League and former Information and Research Secretary of the
District Awami League Zakir Hussein, threatened businessmen by saying
“Businessmen at Bonpara demonstrated against the killing by shutting down their
shops. Despite being innocent, we had suffered because of them. Now we will see
what they will do for us. The businessmen of Bonpara will have to prove in seven
days that we were involved with Sanaullah Noor Babu’s killing; otherwise we vow
that we will make decisions about them after 7 days.” Bonpara Municipality Awami
League Convener Khokon Molla said in his speech that “Not in seven days, they
will have to do what they can for us in the next 72 hours. Otherwise action will be
taken against them.”13
21. On March 13, 2011, the High Court Division issued a rule regarding the killing of
Boraigram Upazila chairman and BNP leader Sanaullah Noor Babu as to why the
bail of the accused should not be annulled. A High Court Division Bench
comprising of Justice Mohammad Shamsul Huda and Justice Abu Bakar Siddique
issued a suo-moto rule.14
22. On March 28, 2011, the High Court Division Bench ordered the 11 accused persons,
who were released on bail, to submit undertakings that the plaintiff and witnesses of
the cases would not be threatened. At the same time, the Court was adjourned till
April 6, 2011 for hearing of the rule.15
13
Ibid
14
The daily Prothom Alo, 13/03/2011
15
The daily Prothom Alo, 29/03/2011
16
The daily Prothom Alo, 19/03/2011
5
were involved in other cases. It is to be mentioned that Sabbir Ahmed Gama was
stabbed and shot dead on February 7, 2004 at Ramsharkazipur Amtali Bazar under
Naldanga Upazila in Natore.17
25. Odhikar observes with deep concern that this kind of clemency will hinder the
justice delivery system and people will loose their confidence in Judiciary if
clemency is given before trial. Nevertheless, such practice for convicted prisoners
undermines the judicial process and demonstrates injustice to the victims. It is also
to be mentioned that Jhintu, a convicted prisoner, who was on death row had been
pardoned by bringing him back from abroad during the BNP regime.18
20
Fact finding report of Odhikar/The daily Amar Desh, 18/02/2011, Page 2, staff reporter
7
Government disperses meetings of Lamppost, Chattra Gonomancha and Arial
Beel Rakkha Committee
36. On January 9, 2011, a discussion meeting organised by Lamppost to demand the
release of garments workers leader Moshrefa Mishu, at the Dhaka University
campus, was stopped by Dhaka University Proctor KM Saiful Islam Khan and
Awami League-backed Chhatra League activists. Chhatra League activists alleged
that Lamppost was a banned organisation on campus and cannot hold any meeting
here. Ashish Koraya, General Secretary of Lamppost informed Odhikar that
Lamppost is not a banned organisation and when the Proctor was asked this
question, he could not give any answer.21 Lamppost has been under watch by the
security forces since the 5 July 2009 incident regarding a Lamppost procession in
front of the Indian High Commission against the Tipaimukh dam in India and Indian
interference in Bangladesh politics.
37. On January 22, 2011, Chhatra Gonomoncho (Student Platform) organised an open
study circle at the Dhaka University Central Student Union (DUCSU) building to
protest against the killing and torturing of Bangladeshi citizens by the Indian BSF.
About 50 Awami League-backed Chhatra League activists led by Zahural Huq Hall
unit President of Chhatra League, Reaz Uddin Shumon, attacked and blocked the
programme. At least 15 activists of Chhatra Gonomoncho were injured in this
attack.22
38. On January 26, 2011 a procession organised by Arial Beel Rakkha Committee
(Arial Lake Protection Committee) to protest against the construction of an airport
at the Arial Lake area, was disrupted when police obstructed it. When the activists
of the committee gathered at the Muktangaon in Dhaka in the evening to participate
in a scheduled programme, police took away their banner and imposed a blockade.
Later the committee shifted to the National Press Club and tried to make a human
chain in front of the club, but the police spoiled that initiative as well. The people
who gathered for a human chain took shelter at the press club when police chased
them. Arial Beel Rakkha Committee alleged that police spoiled their peaceful
programme despite having written permissions from the Dhaka City Corporation
and Dhaka Metropolitan Police. They also complained that police obstructed people
to attend this procession and three protestors received bullet injuries.23
39. Odhikar believes that any citizen of the State has the right to form groups or
organisations and carry out activities through peaceful means and also criticize the
Government. Article 38 and 39 of the Constitution also guarantee the rights of the
citizens to organise meetings and peaceful processions.
21
Shomen Chakma, human rights defender of Odhikar, 09/01/2011
22
The daily Naya Diganta, 23/01/2011,
http://dailynayadiganta.com/2011/01/23/fullnews.asp?News_ID=257813&sec=2
23
The Daily Ittefaq, 27/01/2011, http://ittefaq.com.bd/content/2011/01/27/news0262.htm
8
Clashes between police and demonstrators protesting a new airport at Arial Beel:
Cases filed against demonstrators
40. On January 31, 2011, a police officer was killed and more than 100 people,
including policemen and journalists, were injured in clashes between the police and
local people during a protest rally and blockade of the Dhaka-Mawa highway
against the proposed International Airport at Arial Beel. Finally the government was
compelled to cancel its plan due to justified protests by the local people against the
construction of a new airport at Arial Beel and on agricultural land. After the
incident, the government filed cases against the Dhaka University teacher and
Professor Emeritus, Dr. Sirajul Islam Chowdhury; Nuclear scientist Dr. Foyzur
Rahman Al Siddiqui; Dr. Fakhrul Islam Chowdhury; former Adviser of the
caretaker government Engineer Amanul Islam Chowdhury; the leaders of the Arial
Beel Protection Committee; and 22 thousand local people. In the mean time Jalil
Master, Joint Convener of the Arial Beel Protection Committee, was arrested. It has
been alleged that the supporters of the ruling party and policemen are now harassing
local people, ransacking and looting their houses.24
41. Odhikar urges the Government to withdraw the cases against the leaders of Arial
Beel Protection Committee and 22 thousand local people and also urges that the
harassment in the name of ‘police operation’ be stopped.
24
Weekly Budhbar, 09/02/2011 at 2nd page by Ahmed Foyez/ Report from Jahangir Hossain Akash, human
rights defender of Odhikar, Munshiganj
9
47. Odhikar is committed to protect and promote human rights. Odhikar demands a
clear explanation from the government as to why it has been facing numerous acts
of harassment by government agencies.
25
Hartal: a general strike
26
The daily Amar Desh, 20/01/2011, Page 1,
http://www.amardeshonline.com/pages/details/2011/01/20/64058
27
Report from local human rights defender of Odhikar at Jhenaidah, 14/01/2011
10
By-elections in two constituencies
52. On January 27, 2011 by-elections was held in Brahminbaria-3 and Habiganj-1
constituencies. A number of clashes occurred between the activists of Awami
League and BNP during the by-polls.28
53. The Returning Officer did not pay heed to the application for suspending polling in
eight polling centres over allegations of rigging and intimidation at Brahminbaria-3.
Two persons, including a journalist, were wounded during an attack by Awami
League backed Chhatra League supporters outside the polling centre. Furthermore,
leaders and activists of the Awami League ran after the leaders and activists of the
BNP in many places including Chinair, Chapoir, Monipur and Basudev. The polling
agents of BNP backed candidates were allegedly driven out from most of the polling
centres in these areas.29 Supporters of Awami League and voters in queue at
Chinair Anjumanara School and College became agitated due to interruption in
polling for a while as the presiding officer was delayed in supplying ballot papers.
Policemen chased away people who gathered around the polling centre several
times.30
54. On January 30, 2011 BNP called a dawn to dusk hartal due to rigging in by-
elections in the Brahminbaria-3 constituency and demanded a re-election by
opposing the election results and the resignation of the Chief Election
Commissioner. Police baton charged the supporters of the hartal during their
picketing. Three persons were reported injured in this incident.31
28
The daily Naya Digonto, 28/01/2011
29
The Daily Ittefaq, 28/01/2011, http://ittefaq.com.bd/content/2011/01/28/news0250.htm
30
Report from election observation team of Odhikar
31
The daily Amar Desh, 31/01/2011
32
The daily Prothom Alo, 30/03/2011
33
The daily Manabzamin, 31/03/2011, Page 1,
http://www.mzamin.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=6319:2011-03-30-17-16-
03&catid=48:2010-08-31-09-43-22&Itemid=82
11
57. Violence took place between supporters of two UP Chairman candidates, Akhter
Hossain and Akter Hossain Jhontu over ‘capturing’ a polling centre at Torabganj
Registered Primary School during the election held on 31 March 2011 in Kalma
Union under Lalmohon Upazila in Bhola. 30 people were injured during the clash.
Another clash at Purba Romaganj Government Primary School centre in Romaganj
Union under the same upazila occurred between supporters of UP Member
candidates, Abdus Shahid and Mohammad Zahar Noybawar over false voting. At
least 15, including a police constable Khokon Chakroborty were injured during the
clash.34
58. Odhikar statistics show that six persons died and 1072 people were reported injured
in Union Parishad election related violence between 03 and 31 March, 2011.
Arrests under the Anti Terrorism Act 2009 and allegation of torture
59. On February 21 and 25, 2011, five members of the banned political organisation
Hizb-ut Tahrir were arrested for sticking anti government posters on walls. Later
they were shown as arrested under the Anti Terrorism Act of 2009.35 Furthermore,
at least 20 members of Hizb-ut Tahrir were arrested by police across the country in
the month of February 2011 for anti-government campaigns.36
60. On February 14, 2011, the Public Relations Department of Hizb-ut Tahrir
Bangladesh forwarded written allegations to human rights organisations that the
members of Hizb-ut Tahrir were tortured by law enforcement agencies at the Task
Force Interrogation (TFI) Cell. It has been alleged in the statement that after
banning the Hizb-ut Tahrir on October 22, 2009, many were arrested, including
Professor Mohiuddin Ahmed, Kazi Morshedul Huq and Professor Syed Golam
Mawla. They are still detained in jail. On December 22, 2010 and on January 19,
2011, police arrested more Hizb-ut Tahrir members and they were allegedly tortured
in various ways at the TFI Cell in ‘remand’ for extracting information. They were
reportedly subjected to electric shocks applied at their genitals. They were stripped
naked, tied and suspended upside down. They were also squashed between slabs of
ice for long periods of time.37
61. It is to be mentioned that many people were allegedly tortured in the TFI Cell
during interrogation in the same way after the declaration of the State of Emergency
in January 2007 and that the trend continues even after the present government
assumed power on January 6, 2009.
62. Torture during interrogation in remand is not only a criminal offence but also a
serious violation of human rights. Odhikar is alarmed by the fact that despite ‘zero
tolerance’ on torture, the government has not taken any effective step to stop acts
amounting to torture by law enforcement agencies; rather it is inspiring the law
enforcers by ignoring such incidents of human rights violations.
34
The daily Prothom Alo, 01/04/2011, Page 1, http://www.prothom-alo.com/detail/date/2011-04-
01/news/143425
35
The daily Jugantor, 23/02/2011 at page 20, http://jugantor.us/enews/issue/2011/02/23/news0901.php
36
The daily Amader Shomoy, 27/02/2011, Page 8, Shahjahan Akond Shuva, Abdullah Titu,
http://www.amadershomoy.com/
37
Appeal released by the public relations department, Hizb-ut Tahrir Bangladesh , dated 14.02.2011
12
Freedom of media
63. On March 19, 2011 a senior reporter of Channel I and the Editor and Publisher of a
local daily published from Narayanganj ‘The Daily Juger Chinta’, Morshalin Babla
was allegedly threatened by Nasim Osman, Parliament Member of Jatiya Party
elected from Narayanganj-5 constituency and his brother Shamim Osman, former
MP and a leader of Awami League. Journalist Morshalin Babla informed Odhikar in
writing that Nasim Osman and Shamim Osman threatened him for publishing
reports against their misdeeds in the Daily Juger Chinta.38
64. Between January 1 and 31 March 2011, 20 journalists were injured, 20 threatened
and 10 journalists assaulted and 03 cases were filed against journalists.
Workers rights
Situation at the readymade garment sector
65. Garments workers leader Moshrefa Mishu is still behind bars since her arrest on
December 13, 2010 for protesting on behalf of the workers. Odhikar demands her
immediate release.
66. From January 01–March 31, 2011, 02 workers were killed and 319 were injured and
04 were arrested.
38
Written statement by senior reporter of Channel I and the Editor and Publisher of ‘The Daily Juger Chinta’,
Morshalin Babla, dated 21/03/2011
39
There are about 750 temporary workers at ACI Pharmaceuticals Company, according to this report
40
The daily Jugantor, 24/01/2011, http://jugantor.us/enews/issue/2011/01/24/index.php
and The Daily Ittefaq, 24/01/2011, http://ittefaq.com.bd/content/2011/01/24/news0061.htm
13
were punished and received various sentences with fine.41 The verdict of the BDR
mutiny case at Khagrachhori was declared on January 13, 2011. The court declared
the verdict of the BDR mutiny case by accusing 46 out of 47 BDR jawans who were
sentenced to different terms of imprisonment, with fine.42 The judgement of the
BDR mutiny at the 40 Rifles Battalion of Phulbari in Dinajpur was delivered on
January 16, 2011. In the verdict, 23 BDR jawans were sentenced to different terms
of imprisonment and fine.43
70. The verdict of the BDR mutiny at the 43 Rifles Battalion at Naogaon was given on
January 24, 2011. In the verdict, 25 BDR jawans were sentenced to different terms
of imprisonment with fine.44
71. On January 31, 2011, the verdict of the BDR mutiny case at Sylhet was declared. In
the judgement, 61 BDR jawans were sentenced to different terms of imprisonment
with fine.45
72. The verdict of the BDR mutiny at the 9 and 18 Rifles Battalion in Rangamati was
given on February 5, 2011. In the verdict, 95 accused BDR Jawans were punished
and received various sentences with fine.46
73. The verdict of the BDR mutiny case at the 46 Rifles Battalion in Naogaon was
declared on February 20, 2011. The court declared the judgement of the BDR
mutiny case by accusing 11 BDR jawans who were then sentenced to different
terms of imprisonment, with fine.47
74. The judgement of the BDR mutiny at the 42 Rifles Battalion in Teknaf was
delivered on February 23, 2011 in the Special Court-16. In the verdict, 51 BDR
jawans were sentenced to different terms of imprisonment and fine.48
75. The verdict of the BDR mutiny case at the 17 Rifles Battalion in Cox’s Bazar was
declared on February 24, 2011. The court declared the judgement of the BDR
mutiny case by accusing 71 BDR jawans who were sentenced to different terms of
imprisonment, with fine.49
76. The verdict of the BDR mutiny case at the 27 Rifles Battalion in Kurigram was
declared on February 28, 2011. The court declared the judgement of the BDR
mutiny case by accusing 49 out of 50 BDR jawans, who were sentenced to different
terms of imprisonment, with fine. One BDR jawan was acquitted from the
charges.50
41
Report from Basu Das, human rights defender of Odhikar at Bandarban, 05/01/2011
42
The daily Prothom Alo, 14/01/2011, Khagrachori correspondence, http://www.prothomalo.
com/detail/date/2011-01-14/news/123407
43
Report from Wahidul Islam Defence, human rights defender of Odhikar at Dinajpur, 17/01/2011
44
Report from Selim Chowdhury, human rights defender of Odhikar at Naogaon, 25/01/2011
45
Report from Muhibur Rahman, human rights defender of Odhikar at Sylhet, 31/01/2011
46
Report from Bijoy Dhar, human rights defender of Odhikar at Rangamati, 06/02/2011
47
Report from Selim Chowdhury, human rights defender of Odhikar at Naogaon, 21/02/2011
48
The daily Manabzamin, 24/02/2011, Page 7, staff reporter,
http://www.mzamin.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3524:2011-02-23-16-25-
31&catid=62:2011-01-03-21-36-54&Itemid=93
49
The daily Amar Desh, 25/02/2011, Page 13, Desk report,
http://amardeshonline.com/pages/details/2011/02/25/69690
50
Report from Ahsan Habib Nilu, human rights defender of Odhikar at Kurigram, 28/02/2011
14
77. The verdict of BDR mutiny case in Rangpur was declared on February 28, 2011.
The Special Court-13 declared the judgment by accusing 11 BDR jawans who were
sentenced to different terms of imprisonment.51
78. On March 3, 2011, the judgement of the BDR mutiny at Satkhira was delivered. In
the verdict, 99 BDR jawans were sentenced to different terms of imprisonment.
79. The verdict of the BDR mutiny case at Jamalpur declared on March 16, 2011. In the
verdict, 52 BDR jawans were awarded to different terms of imprisonment. Of them,
5 BDR jawans were sentenced to maximum terms of 7 years of rigorous
imprisonment.52
80. The verdict of BDR mutiny case in Netrokona was declared on March 16, 2011.
The Court declared the judgment by accusing 53 BDR jawans who were sentenced
to different terms of imprisonment.53
81. On March 16, 2011, the Court declared judgement of the BDR mutiny at
Mymensingh. In the verdict, 42 BDR jawans were sentenced to different terms of
imprisonment.54
82. On March 24, 2011, the Court declared judgement of the BDR mutiny at
Khagrachori. In the verdict, 89 BDR jawans were sentenced to different terms of
imprisonment.55
83. The judgement of the BDR mutiny at the 14 Rifles Battalion in Moulavibazar was
delivered on March 30, 2011. In the verdict, 44 BDR jawans were sentenced to
different terms of imprisonment with fine.56
84. Odhikar urges the government to ensure transparency and accountability in the trials
of BDR mutiny cases and at the same time it also demands that the full investigation
report prepared by the government regarding BDR mutiny be made available to the
public.
51
The daily Amar Desh, 01/03/2011, Page 16, staff reporter
52
The daily Kaler Kantho, 17/03/2011, Page 16
53
Ibid
54
The daily Prothom Alo, 17/03/2011, Page 4
55
The daily Prothom Alo, 25/03/2011, Page 4
56
Report from Chowdhury Bhaskar Home, human rights defender of Odhikar at Moulavibazar, 30/03/2011
57
The daily Amar Desh, 06/02/2011, Page 2, Shirsho News,
http://amardeshonline.com/pages/details/2011/02/06/66929 /The daily New Age, 06/02/2011, Page 2, UNB,
http://newagebd.com/newspaper1/national/7758.html
15
Violence in the Chittagong Hill Tracts
87. On February 17, 2011 some ethnic minority community people were injured when
local Bengali settlers attacked them at Rangipara and Gulshakhali villages under
Longudu Police Station in Rangamati. The attackers allegedly set fire to the houses
of some ethnic minority community people. It was learnt that a local Bangali wood-
cutter, Saber Ali, went missing on February 15, 2011 when he went to the jungle to
collect wood. His body was found at Rangipara on February 16, 2011. In protest of
this incident, local Bengali settlers brought out a procession and attacked the ethnic
minority community people. People of the ethnic minority communities alleged that
the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) members were present when Bengali settlers
attacked them.58
88. Odhikar condemns the killing of wood-cutter Saber Ali and the attacks on the
members of the ethnic minority community. It urges the government to arrest the
people who were involved in the attacks and bring them to justice.
89. Odhikar also urges the government to take immediate action in order to ensure
human rights and peace for the Bangali and ethnic minority communities at the
CHT, failing which, the situation might become unstable.
58
Report from Shomen Chakma, Odhikar’s human rights defender, 18/02/2011
59
The daily Amader Shomoy, 13/01/2011, http://www.amadershomoy.com/ the daily Manabzamin,
03/01/2011, staff reporter
16
Division ordered incidents of eve-teasing to be considered ‘sexual harassment’ and
to be incorporated into law. A Division Bench of the High Court Division of the
Supreme Court, comprising of Justice Iman Ali and Justice Sheikh Hasan Arif,
delivered this verdict. At the same time, the High Court Division Bench declared the
inclusion of all Government and private places in the proposed Prevention of
Repression on Women and Children Act 2000 (Amendment) as areas of sexual
harassment rather than sticking to the educational institutions and working places
only. Stalking through SMS, E-mail, telephone and mobile phone are also being
included in the law as a criminal offence. Furthermore, the Court asked that
necessary measures be taken in order to make registration for cyber cafés
compulsory and record the identity of users.60
60
The daily Prothom Alo, 27/01/2011
61
The daily Ittefaq, 10/02/2011, Page 1, Ittefaq report, http://ittefaq.com.bd/content/2011/02/10/news0568.htm
62
The daily Prothom Alo, 24/03/2011
17
Chandra Das, Hosne Ara and Rajesh Mazumder. The Inspector General of Police
instructed the Deputy Commissioner of Shariatpur and Superintendent of Police to
follow this order. At the same time, the Court ordered the Director General of the
Directorate of Health to take departmental action against the four doctors.
Furthermore, the Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council have been asked to take
action against them regarding their certificates as per rule. The developments
regarding the implementation of the aforesaid orders are to be submitted to the
Court by April 24, 2011.
101. The accurate completion of a post-mortem and the preparation of proper,
unbiased and non-conflicting reports are very important for identifying the genuine
causes of death. The steps taken by the High Court Division regarding post-mortem
of Hena, against the accused doctors, will help create responsible and proper
conducting of post-mortems without any temptation or fear.
Rape
102. During the period of January – March 2011, a total of 127 women and girls
were reportedly raped. Among them, 52 were women and 73 were girls and two
females, whose age could not be ascertained. Of the adults, 17 were killed after
being raped and 31 were victims of gang rape. Out of 73 child victims 06 children
were killed after being raped and 19 were victims of gang rape. Furthermore, 02
woman and 04 children allegedly committed suicide after being raped. During this
time one child and one adult females were raped by an Ansar and an Army
personnel respectively.
Dowry-related violence
103. During the last three months, a total of 101 women and 03 children were
subjected to dowry related violence. Of these women, it has been alleged that 62
women were killed because of dowry, 32 were ill-treated in various other ways for
dowry demands and 07 women committed suicide. During this period, 03 children
were victimized in dowry related violence along with their mothers. Among them
02 were burnt with hot milk and palm syrup and 01 was attempted to bury alive.
Acid violence
104. According to information gathered by Odhikar during the period of January –
March 2011, it was reported that 29 persons were victimised due to acid violence.
Of these affected persons, 16 were women and 08 were men, 04 boys and 01 girl.
18
Statistics: 01 January - 31 March 2011*
Type of Human Rights Violation January February March Total
Crossfire 7 16 5 28
Tortured to
0 1 3 4
deaths
Extra-judicial
killings Beaten to
0 1 0 1
deaths
Total Extra-
judicial 7 18 8 33
killings
Human rights Killed 4 1 0 5
violations by
Indian BSF Tortured 3 6 21 30
Extra-judicial
killings 2 4 6 12
(custodial)
Deaths in jail
4 9 12 25
Custodial deaths (custodial)
BGB Jawans
0 1 0 1
(custodial)
Total 6 14 18 38
Injured 8 8 4 20
Attack on
Threatened 4 6 10 20
journalists
Assaulted 4 1 5 10
Killed 14 10 6 30
Political violence
Injured 664 1015 848 2527
Acid violence 6 7 16 29
Rape 31 51 45 127
Sexual Harassment /Stalking
48 86 69 203
against women
Killed / Died 1 1 0 2
Readymade
garment sector Injured 134 95 90 319
Public lynching 8 18 11 37
* Odhikar's documentation
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Recommendations
1. Extra-judicial killings must come to an end as per the election manifesto of the ruling
party and the declaration made by the Government in the UN Human Rights Council.
The Government must bring all involved in extrajudicial killings before justice
through proper and independent investigation.
2. The Bangladesh Government should investigate the incidents of all killings and
torture of Bangladeshi citizens, including Felani, by the BSF and strongly demand
from the Indian Government adequate compensation for the families of the victims
and trial and punishment for the perpetrators. The Government should also ensure the
security of those citizens residing at the border areas.
3. Random withdrawal of criminal cases under ‘political consideration’ and the
President’s clemency for convicted prisoners only make people lose confidence in the
Judiciary. This should be stopped and the culture of impunity be abandoned. The
Judiciary must play an effective and impartial role in order to restore public
confidence in the administration of justice.
4. The Government should be responsive and transparent in order to stop political
violence. It must take effective action against those involved in violence, irrespective
of political belief. The law enforcement agencies need to be proactive to stop violence
and carry out their duty in an independent, unbiased manner.
5. The Bill on Anti Corruption Commission tabled in Parliament on February 28, 2011
must be withdrawn in order to make the Anti Corruption Commission, an
independent, transparent and effective institution.
6. The Government should immediately give clearance to Odhikar’s human rights
projects and the harassment on its human rights defenders must be stopped.
7. Torture during remand and other forms of custody must end. The recommendations
made by the High Court Division on remand in the 2003 case of BLAST vs.
Bangladesh must be implemented.
8. Wages of the readymade garment workers must be paid on time. The government
should monitor the implementation of the tripartite agreement so that the owners of
the garment factories regularly pay wages to the workers. Garments workers leader
Moshrefa Mishu should be released immediately.
9. Scope must be given to the accused BDR jawans to present statements through their
lawyers. Full investigation reports prepared by the Government regarding BDR
massacre must be made public.
10. The Government should refrain from shrinking the space for the practice of
democracy and also abstain from repression on opponent political activists.
11. The Government should take steps so that children are not engaged in begging and a
stable rehabilitation programme be taken for the poor who engaged in begging. The
Government should also ensure a social security for disadvantaged people.
12. The post-mortem in relation to deaths due to torture and ill-treatment are not being
conducted accurately. As a result, incidents of beatings or torture are often passed off
in the autopsy reports as death caused by ‘illness, ‘suicide’ or ‘accident’. Appropriate
action must be taken against doctors and officers if the post-mortems are not being
conducted in a proper manner.
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13. The incidents of violence against women have been increasing due to the fact that
most of the perpetrators are not being punished. The Government must take
appropriate measures to stop violence against women and the offenders must be
brought under the purview of the law to ensure that justice is served.
Notes:
1. Odhikar seeks to uphold the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of the
people.
2. Odhikar documents and records violations of human rights and receives information from
its network of human rights defenders and monitors media reports in twelve national daily
newspapers.
3. Odhikar conducts detailed fact-finding investigations into some of the most significant
violations.
4. Odhikar is consistent in its human rights reporting and is committed to remain so.
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