DU survey reports 61 percent indigenous people in Bangladesh face discrimination

Report: The Dailystar News

A survey on 332 indigenous people shows about 61 per cent of them are discriminated against in different ways while 76 per cent fall victim to violence and threats.
The findings of the survey conducted by Dhaka University teachers Prof Dr Nazrul Islam and Prof Dr Asif Nazrul under a project of Bangladesh Manobadhikar Bastobayan Sangstha, were revealed at a discussion meeting at the WVA auditorium in the capital yesterday.
The survey was conducted on 332 indigenous people in Jessore, Mymensingh, Chapainawabganj, Gaibandha, Jamalpur, Pabna, Rangamati, Sylhet and indigenous students of Dhaka University between March and April last year under the project Strengthening Human Rights Support through Enhancing Access to Justice for Vulnerable Groups and Advocacy for Reform.
The findings showed about 18.67 per cent of them were evicted from their ancestral land. Besides, 6.02 per cent participants in the survey believe that justice cannot be ensured by court while 5.72 per cent of them are ignorant about legal process.
The speakers at the meeting said most indigenous people are not aware of the laws that guarantee their rights. Besides, human rights organisations also fail to reach out to the victims who badly need their legal support, they said.
Member of the national committee of Manobadhikar Bastobayan Sangstha Dr Mizanur Rahman Shelly, who presided over the meeting, said the government should formulate and implement new policies to ensure the rights of indigenous people.
Executive director of the organisation advocate Elina Khan said coordination among the organisations working for the welfare of indigenous people is very important to provide them with necessary assistance.
Representatives of different organisations that provide legal support for indigenous people were also present.

CHT Land Grabbing: a NGO ‘DORP’ occupies orchards of the indigenous people in Bandarban

Report Submitted by: Aungkyew Mong, Coordinator Kapaeeng Watch

CHT Land GrabbingA NGO 'DORP' occupies orchards of the indigenous people in BandarbanVery recently a non-government organisation named Development Organisation of the Rural Poor (DORP) run by non-indigenous Bengali outsiders occupied the orchards of the indigenous Tripura community at Tongo Jiripara of Soroi union under Bandarban sadar upazila in Bandarban district.It is leant that the DORP set fire on orchards around 35 acres after cutting its trees planted by the indigenous villagers and hang up a signboard 'Swasthagram DORP' (Health Village Dorp) on that land. DORP is opposing indigenous villagers to enter to this area and threatening, otherwise, to lodge case with police station. Local Tripura villagers are passing days with fear. DORP claimed that the lands have been leased out to the DORP. However, chairman of the Bandarban Hill District Council (HDC) Mr. Thanzama Lusai and district administration said that there is no opportunity to give leasing out any land as per CHT Peace Accord.It is worth mentioning that indigenous Tripura villagers have been living in this area alongside of Sualok-Lama road 20 kilometers away from Bandarban district headquarters. Though some villagers have title deed, but most of the indigenous villagers have been using these lands for generations as per their tradition and customs without government registration.Kshetra Tripura (65), an indigenous villager said that he got settlement of 2 acres of paddy land in 1982 and built up a mix-variety orchard on 10 acres of its surrounding grove land. DORP occupied all the paddy and grove land, he added. Another villager Rongsaha Tripura said that he built up orchard on 5 acres of land 5-6 years ago. Now he became nervous seeing his orchard has completely been burnt to ashes. All the villagers including Jilya Moni Tripura, Rangkoma Tripura, Bikram Moni Tripura informed that their lands and orchards have been occupied by the DORP.Regarding setting fire, Mr. Nurul Alam, a labourer of the DORP said that they 20-25 labourers set fire on the orchards after cutting its plantation as per direction of the DORP executive director Mr. A H M Noman, field officer Mr. Iyub and Mr. Malek. As a day labourer, they have nothing to do.Referring to this incident, executive director of DORP Mr. A H M Noman said that they got lease around 150 acres of grove lands including this land. Accordingly, DORP undertook plan to build up an orchard and hospital on this land. He claimed that this land is not owned by Tripura villagers.It is found after scrutiny of the land documents at deputy commissioner's office that 25 acres land has been leased out in the name of a group of Bengalis including coordinator of DORP Babul Kumar Odhikari, A H M Noman and Nurul Islam in 2000. However, according to the CHT Peace Accord of 1997, no lease can be made without prior approval of the concerned HDC. According to the HDC Act of 1998, any lease without prior approval of HDC is completely illegal. Chairman of the Bandarban HDC Mr. Thanzama Lusai said that CHT Affairs Ministry has been asked to cancel all these leases given after CHT Peace Accord without prior approval of the HDC. He added that necessary actions would be taken after conducting inquiry on this DORP incident.Officer-in-charge (OC) of Lama police station Mr. Abul Kasem said that he heard this incident that DORP occupied land of the Tripura community. It is being looked into, he added. Chairman of the Soroi union Mr. Mohammad Ali said that DORP incident is nothing but to occupy the land of the Triupra villagers.

[This report has been prepared on basis of news published in Bengali daily 'Prothom Alo' on 18 May 2008]

10 families of indigenous community evicted by Baralekha tea estate in Moulavibazar, Bangladesh

Report submitted by: Aungkyew Mong, Coordinator Kapaeeng Watch.

10 families of indigenous community evicted by Baralekha tea estate in MoulavibazarComplaint has been received that 10 families of indigenous Khasi community of south Shahbajpur union under Baralekha upazila in Moulavibazar district became penniless losing their homesteads and panpunjies (farmland of betel-leaf). They alleged that they are victimized of the deception of Rahmania tea estate authority.Indigenous Khasi families claimed that they signed an agreement with Rahmania tea estate authority on 29 April 2006. According to the agreement, Mr. Talbi Lamin, montri (headman) of the Khasi community and Sohrab Hossain Khan have taken on 100 acres of land lease for 12 years for cultivation of betel-leaf from the Rahmania tea estate authority in lieu of taka 1,200,000 (around US$ 17,000). Accordingly, Talbi Lamin, Obet Khasi, Nineton Khasi, Adhir Khasi, Nutli Khasi, Bishu Khasi and Pius Khasi erected houses and cultivated betel-leaf.Talbi Lamin (55) alleged that Sohran Hossain Khan and caretaker of Rahmania tea estate authority Dilip Sarker forcibly took signature from him on white paper last 16 April and ordered them to leave orchard soon. He also said that violating the agreement, they incited a group of miscreants to evict their houses on 19 April. As a result, they took shelter neighbouring Singur panpunji under Kulaura upazila. He lodged a case with Baralekha magistrate court.Obet Khasi (40), Bilan Khasi (35) and Adhir Khasi (30) said that they became penniless losing their homesteads and livelihood. The owner of the tea estate Mr. Machum Ahamed Chowdhury has not been reached for his clarification. On the Other, Sohran Hossain denied to take signature on white paper from Talbi Lamin.

Fabricated Case against a Minority person at Sontala, Bangladesh

Sonatala (PS -District-Bogra), Bangladesh: Dhirendra Nath Sarkar (65) son of late Rabindra Nath Sarkar, husband of Ms. Ratna Rani Sarkar (55) of village West Tekani, P.S. Sonatala, District- Bogra –Bangladesh had been victim of village politics and a false case started against him by instigation of local chairman to grab his landed properties. Sonatala Police sent him to jail on charge of rape of minor Muslim girl –Ms. Selina Khatun (12) on 22nd April, 2008. Police also involved with this crime.

It is learnt from an appeal by Ms. Ratna Rani Sarkar (55) wife of Dhirendra Nath Sarkar praying for legal assistance that her husband was illegally detained by police on charge of fabricated and false rape case. She also stated that her husband is a diabetic patient and not habituated with sexual intercourse; in no way he could rape a girl belonging to Muslim community. Her husband is old man and got cultivable land at his village home. She got one daughter married to one physician 7 years ago and no other issue. Dhirendra is known as a very simple and law abiding citizen of Bangladesh. The people irrespective of caste and creed love him for his amiable disposition. She also explained that due to their religious faith her husband had been implicated in a nasty case with the help of local police by powerful chairman and UP members and sent to jail custody.

Some local Muslims namely 1) Md. Abdul Rahman Khandakar son of late Saamiruddin Khandakar 2) Md. Motiurul Akand son of late Naku Akanda 3) Md. Saidur Mondal son of late Mansur Ali Mondal and 4) Md. Sitabuddin Akand son of Naziruddin Akand were threatening since long for taking zizia tax (Tax imposed by Islamist on minorities to live in Bangladesh) illegally. As Dhirendra did not pay attention to their illegal demand, then there was deep conspiracy to damage his reputation.

Due to continuous repression by the above influential persons Dhirendra made a general diary entry number 680 dated 16.04.2008 at Sonatala police station alleging that the above perpetrators were threatening him for life and conspiracy made to grab his landed properties. Police was informed duly for his protection of life as was contemplated in his previous assumption.

But unfortunately there was a secret meeting amongst the conspirators and they hatched up a plan to implicate Dhirendra in a concocted non-bail able case. Ms. Selina Khatun (12) a minor Muslim girl of the same locality hired by the above conspirators, set up a case alleging that she has been raped by Dhirendra on 16th of April,2008 while Selina Khatun was going to bath at about 2.30 p.m.

Lastly on 22.04.2008 the conspirators hired the minor girl and brought her before O.C. Sonatala PS for lodging FIR against Dhirendra on the charge of rape after 6 days of alleged rape.



O.C. Sonataka PS most illegally without any investigation, not ascertaining the genuineness of allegation arrested Dhirendra and started Sonatala PS case No. 10 dated 22.04.2008 under section 9(1) of Nari-O-Shishu Nirjatan Ain, 2003.



O.C. also obtained a medical certificate from the medical doctor that Ms.Selina Khatun was sexually assaulted.



HRCBM representatives rushed to the spot on 11th of May, 2008 at about 8 p.m. and enquired about Dhirendra, asked the local people, about his character, everybody irrespective of caste and creed opined that Dhirendra is a good old man and he is loved by everybody for his amiable nature. More than 5 Muslim inhabitants of the village imparted that the case started against Dhirendra is out of vengeance and rivalry with the local competitors only to harass him in the locality.

Investigators from HRCBM went to the house of informant – Ms. Selina Khatun, found her and her poor mother, brother. They expressed that Selina has been raped by Dhirendra paying taka 100/- in a solitary room on 16th of April, 2008. HRCBM investigator asked them why the case was not started soon after the alleged incident of rape took place on 16th of April, 2008. They could not reply satisfactorily. They also could not answer why the victim was not produced before the Medical board after the alleged incident of rape on 16.04.2008.

The investigation team also scrutinized the copy of FIR lodged by Ms. Selina, on 22.04.2008; she doesn't read and write, she only gave thump impression at the FIR. Investigator examined the general diary No.680 dated 16.04.2008 filed by Dhirendra at local Police Station and the FIR filed by alleged victim of rape. It is clear from the content of FIR that the FIR is pre-meditated and the subsequent medical certificate obtained by O.C. on the question rape is far from reality. It is also clear from the contents of the FIR that the names of the witnesses are the enemy of Dhirendra who were trying to harass him since long.
The investigation team also met with Mr. A.B.M. Zahidul Islam, O.C. Sonatala PS on 12th at about 1 a.m. who was very much reluctant to talk to us, even he was threatening the team not to do the humanitarian job for the protection of rights of minorities, and O.C. started to rebuke us and prevented us from taking any picture of our discussion. He also tried to snatch away our video camera from our HR activist – Tapan Kumar Pandey. The O.C. is found to be more interested for the protection of rights of Muslim girl, although there is no prima –facie case of rape against the minority victim – Dhirendra nath Sarkar.

The team also received hundred of spot signatures irrespective of caste and creed for withdrawal of false case against this innocent minority victim.

All the statements of local people, members of victim family have been video taped. The local people also demanded punishment of the conspirators responsible for creating false case against the old and ailing Hindu victim.

Hindus lost 26 lakh acres of land in Bangladesh

By Rabindranath Trivedi

Dhaka, May 15, 2008(asiantribune.com): Members of the Hindu community have lost 26 lakh acres of land from 1965 to 2006, while an estimated one crore Hindus were forced to leave the country from 1964 to 2001 because of communal conflicts and deprivation caused by the Enemy (Vested) Property Act, according to a study reports the daily star, Dhaka. The price of the land and other movable properties lost by 12 lakh Hindu families has been estimated at Tk 350412 crore, said the study sponsored by the Association for Land Reform and Development (ALRD) and Nijera Kori. The study report was published in the form of a book titled 'Deprivation of Hindu Minority in Bangladesh: Living with Vested Property', which was launched at LGED auditorium in Dhaka on 14 May. Prof Abul Barakat, lead author of the book, said the government has identified only seven lakh acres of vested land, of which two lakh acres have been leased out and five lakh acres remain under the control of the grabbers. Terming the identification of so small amount of vested land a failure of the administration, Justice Muhammad Habibur Rahman, former chief adviser to a caretaker government, said the administration of the country is “impossibly inefficient.”“There is a direct link between right to property and democracy,” he said, adding that all should work to help establish the rights of those who lost their properties. In the study, Prof Barakat said, “Only five lakh people who were in power grabbed the land. This problem needs an immediate solution.” People involved with BNP politics grabbed 1749500 acres, those involved with Awami League grabbed 361400 acres, people involved with Jamaat-e-Islami grabbed 226200 acres and those engaged with Jatiya Party looted 182000 acres of vested land, said the study. Besides, 1820 acres of land was grabbed by people linked with Muslim League and 10400 acres of land by people involved with other political parties, it added. The study recommended establishing a vested property bank to maintain all statistics of such property and handing over the land to distressed and landless Hindus living in the country. Justice Golam Rabbani blamed the administration for having strong link with influential people in grabbing the enemy properties.“There will be no change without the change in attitude of the bureaucracy,” he said emphasising on strong parliament and peoples' democracy, the daily star added.
It may be mentioned that the census of 1951 reports that Muslims constituted only 19.90% in West Bengal, but now in 2001 as reported, it is 25.25%. Whereas the census of 1951 reports that Hindus constituted only 22% in East Bengal (now Bangladesh), but now in 2001 it is 9.2 %. The consequences of operation of Enemy/Vested Property Act have been, simply, gross denial of freedom and liberty, and institutionalization of systematic socio-cultural, economic and political deprivation of the Hindu minority in Bangladesh. The national disaster has been so huge that during the last four decades (1965-2006) approximately 1.2 million ( out of total 2.7 million) households or 6 million people belonging to Hindu religion are directly affected by the Enemy turned Vested Property Act and have lost , in addition to land property ,other immovable and movable property. According to the estimation of Professor Abul Barkat of Dhaka University: “ The approximate money value of such loss ( US S 55 Billion) would be equivalent to 75% of GDP of Bangladesh(in 2007).(Deprivation of Hindu Minority in Bangladesh : Living With Vested Property By Abul Barkat and 5 others, (2008) Pathak Shamabesh, Dhaka)
‘Religious minorities, principally Hindu, Christian and Buddhist make up an estimated 11% of the population. Although equal under the law, these minorities are, in practice, disadvantaged in such areas as access to government jobs and political office. Selection boards in the Government service are often without minority group representation. In the current parliament there are 04 members from minority groups, out of a total of 330. Property ownership, particularly for Hindus, has been a contentious issue since independence, when many Hindus lost land holdings due to unequal application of the law. Reported cases of violence directed against religious minority communities has resulted in loss of property, minority communities has resulted in loss of property .These actions are a symptom of the communal tension that have prompted some people belonging to minority groups to leave Bangladesh, causing a slow but steady decline in the relative size of the country’s minority population, especially Hindus.,says the US report in 1993”
It may be recalled that during the Gen. Ayub and Gen. Yahya regimes in Pakistan (1958-71) ,the Hindus suffered politically and economically. The Hindus as a political force, were suppressed to the extent of virtual non-existence. The rule of Martial Law, the Basic democracy system, Enemy Property Act (Vested Property Act), pushed them out of the political arena. The biggest problem the community was facing was that of survival Hindus were reluctant to join any political process or politics The Hindu absence from the political scene can be explained by the fact that the community had suffered the loss of many of its prominent leaders either by death or by migration.
The remaining Hindus like us might have thought it wise to wait and extent tacit support to Sheikh Mujib’s political programmes .Thus the Hindus participate in the democratic movements of 1966, 1969 and 1970’s elections. Awami League got unqualified support from the Hindus. Hindus exerted influence in making the Muslim Leadership more liberal-democratic, thereby safeguards the minority interests. Thus the Hindus in particular were targets of Pakistan-army’s campaign of genocide during the War of Liberation in 1971.During the post liberation period of Bangladesh; the Hindus were more compromising than before and consoled themselves that they are equal citizens of a People’s Republic under the Constitution of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh framed in the Constituent Assembly in 1972.
The subsequent military regimes in Bangladesh after August 1975 however, reversed all the state principles of the Constitution of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh framed by the people’s representatives in 1972. State principle Secularism has been replaced with full trust in almighty Allah and Islam the State religion. Socialism was replaced with social justice and Bengali nationalism with Bangladeshi nationalism, presumably, to highlight the Islamic identity of the nation. Bangladeshi Hindus become second-class citizens, as they were less than 1956 constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Bangladesh under martial law regimes could not break away from the past and remained steeped in the legacy of her history of the 23-year existence as part of Pakistan. Hindu-Muslim relationship in Bangladesh was a natural corollary of the tendency to stay prisoner of the past. Hindus in Bangladesh become second-class citizens following the amendments of fifth and eighth to the constitution of Bangladesh .
Over the last three decades, India has abandoned the minority Hindus at the behest of her Transshipment, Trade imbalance, Cross border insurgency and border skirmishes, Natural Gas import issues on the table with Bangladesh. Now India is facing cross border terrorism in Eastern states. Demographic characters of eastern states have been alarmingly changed. In West Bengal the Muslim population along with Bangladesh border has totally occupied and changed, but before1972 the proportion of the Muslims was insignificant in those areas around Bangladesh.
In the past year, Bangladesh's unique democratic political system has undergone significant challenges and the upcoming elections continue to test the long-term viability of democracy in Bangladesh. Elections organized under the caretaker government that took power during the interim election period in late 2006 and early 2007, were severely criticized by many in the United States and international community. Criticism of the elections led to a military intervention by the army, which created a state of emergency and a military-backed caretaker government with elections postponed until December 2008.
The military-backed caretaker government, led by Chief Advisor Fakhruddin Ahmed, has taken steps to rid the government of corruption and return Bangladesh to democracy. However, reports indicate that their success has been inconsistent with no guarantee that reforms they have implemented can be sustained in the long-term. Some now fear that the military-backed caretaker government may be undermining the very democratic system it is seeking to reform.
The last national election of October 2001 was marred by violence, particularly targeted at Hindus, and led to a coalition government that included religiously based parties, including Islamist parties that advocated for the adoption of Sharia law and reportedly had ties to terrorists. Since the 2001 elections, religious extremists have increased attacks on religious minorities, including Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians, and other human rights have deteriorated with government impunity.
In addition to concerns over democracy and human rights created by the military-backed caretaker government and rising Islamic extremism, the recent substantial increase in food prices has also contributed to greater political instability in Bangladesh. The current period of reform by the military-backed caretaker government and elections planned for December 2008 will serve as a litmus test for the sustainability of democracy and human rights for people of all faiths in Bangladesh.
Annual Report of USCIRF-2008 issued on 2 May 2008 on Bangladesh in Washington says: Since the declaration of a state of emergency in January 2007, Bangladesh has been in the throes of a political and constitutional crisis, the resolution of which will determine whether religious freedom and other universal human rights will be protected by democratic institutions and the rule of law, or whether the country will continue on a downward spiral toward authoritarianism, militarization, and intolerance.
Since January 2007, previously scheduled national elections have been postponed, political freedoms severely curtailed and human rights abused with impunity by the security forces. These deviations from democratic norms under the current “caretaker government” raise troubling questions about the future prospects for respect for a range of freedoms, including potentially freedom of religion or belief. ……. This lack of accountability for anti-minority violence associated with the 2001 election led the Commission, minority advocates, and many others to be concerned that Bangladesh's next national elections would also result in anti-minority violence. Some individuals with whom the Commission met during the February – March 2006 visit to Bangladesh were themselves experiencing difficulties in becoming registered. Others claimed that locations dominated by minority voters had not been visited by registration officials or, on the other hand, alleged that non-citizens believed to favor Islamist parties were being registered. Widespread concerns regarding the registration process were underscored by a U.S. National Democratic Institute study that found 13 million more individuals on the voter rolls than would be eligible according to Bangladesh’s census.
The USCIRF report further added : In addition to incidents of violence, the Vested Property Act (VPA), a pre-independence law enacted in 1965 in the wake of the India-Pakistan war, continues to be used as justification by some Muslims to seize Hindu-owned land. The 2007 report of the prominent Bangladeshi human rights organization Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK) stated that in 2006 there were 54 seizures by Muslim individuals of Hindu-owned land and 43 attacks against Hindu temples by Muslims. The VPA’s implicit presumption that Hindus do not really belong in Bangladesh contributes to the perception that Hindu-owned property can be seized with impunity.
The most serious and sustained conflict along ethnic and religious lines has been in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, located on Bangladesh’s eastern border with India and Burma. The varied but wholly non-Bengali/non-Muslim indigenous peoples in this formerly autonomous area (often referred to collectively as Adivasis or Paharis) had opposed inclusion in East Pakistan during the partition of 1947, due to their identification with other tribal groups in northeast India.
Muslim Bengalis, once a tiny minority in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, now reportedly equal or outnumber members of indigenous groups. In 2007, Bangladesh human rights organizations reported a surge in Bengali settlements on tribal land in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
IV. Longer-Term Measures to Protect Universal Human Rights
The Commission recommends that the U.S. government should urge the government of Bangladesh to:
• ensure that decisions on public employment in national institutions such as the civil service, the military, law enforcement agencies, and the judiciary, including at the highest levels, do not discriminate on the basis of religious affiliation, belief, or ethnic background; conduct and publicize the results of a comprehensive survey of minority representation in the public service;
• establish effective, legally transparent mechanisms for handling complaints regarding discrimination in public employment;
• promote the use of history and social studies texts in public schools that reflect the country’s religious diversity and are reviewed by an independent panel of experts to exclude language or images that promote enmity, intolerance, hatred, or violence toward any group of persons based on religion or belief;
• repeal the Vested Property Act, discriminatory legislation that has been used unjustly to seize Hindu-owned property in the decades since Bangladesh’s independence and has continued to be used under successive governments to reward well-connected members of the majority community in Bangladesh; ( Annual Report of USCIRF-2008)
Bangladesh is under attack; she is struggling for existence as a democratic secular country. Bangladesh is now a rudderless, leaderless ship wallowing in the deep sea of conspiracy. The vision that mobilized the nation during the Liberation War in 1971, of a society economically prosperous, exploitation free, democratically governed, tolerant of pluralism, and respectful of peoples' rights, is still alive in the minds of average citizens. We demand the people's uninterrupted voting rights. ###(end)
Rabindranath Trivedi
(Retired Addl Secretary and former Press Secretary to the President of Bangladesh)
Secretary General, HRCBM-Bangladesh National Chapter
Email: hrcbm.dhaka@gmail.com

Urgent Appeal: Violence against Women and Children in Bangladesh Must be Stopped

Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh Minorities (HRCBM)
P.O. Box 5493
Santa Clara, CA 95056
USAhttp://www.hrcbm.org/;
Email: info@hrcbm.org
Ph: 212-592-3627
Fax: 215-434-6804


Monday May 10, 2008HRCBM/Bang/UA_05_10_2008/Protection_2008Bangladesh:
Violence against Women and Children in Bangladesh Must be Stopped

With deep anguish and dismay Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh Minorities (HRCBM) urges that the barbaric violence and extreme human rights abuses that continue to be perpetrated against the religious and ethnic minorities and indigenous people of Bangladesh, especially women and children, must be stopped.

We are shocked to report that the widespread barbaric acts of violence against the religious and ethnic minorities that started before the October 1, 2001 general election in Bangladesh, and continued throughout the period of the past BNP-Jaamat Coalition Government, are still continuing even under the current Caretaker Government and a state of emergency.

These incidents of ongoing violence and crime perpetrated against the minorities, the weaker section of the people, depict a trend towards silent genocide by a vested and powerful circle in the country. These abominable acts of violence are affecting the very fabric of our society, destroying the very foundation of rights and liberty of a democratic and civil society.

While many incidences of ongoing violence and human rights abuses against the religious and ethnic minorities and Adibasis (indigenous people) are not reaching the news media, many such reports are still being published in the national and international media everyday.

With grave concern we issue this Urgent Action Appeal to draw your attention on the four cases of gang rapes and abductions that occurred within a month. We appeal to the conscience of the people, governments and human rights institutions including the United Nation for immediate intervention to procure justice for the victims and apprehension of the criminals.

1. Case of Mili Rani Malakar: Only Adolescent Daughter of a Blind Father Abducted and Gang-raped for 7 Days in Sylhet, Bangladesh

Incident: Mili Rani Sarkar, daughter of Khoka Malakar of village Kholadapunia, Jokiganj of Sylhet was abducted on 24th April, 08 and left in a critical condition of unconscious at Bhattapara Primary School on 1 May late night, 94 miles East of Sylhet district Headquarters. Following day, local people collected some funds and sent the victim in a stage of comma to the Osmani Hospital Sylhet.

Mili Rani is the only earning member of the family as her father is blind. She used to sell vaccine for poultry firms and was barely able to feed the family with this meager income.

Current situation: Doctors of the hospital say that the condition of the patient is very critical and she was mercilessly gang raped for days together. Mili is still under the medical care of Osmani Hospital' ICU and will remain there some more days. Nobody is allowed to see or talk to her without prior local police permission.
Allegation: Police was reluctant to register case and instead was cooperating with the criminals.

For Details: Please visit http://www.hrcbm.org/ or http://quandaryreflection.blogspot.com/
2. Case of Upama Dutta:
A Minor Minority Girl Abducted in Dinajpur, Bangladesh

Incident: Mr. Chanchal Dutta of Barabandar under Kotwali Police Station of Dinajpur, reported that his minor daughter Miss Upama Dutta (15), a student of class IX in the local school, while going to her tutor Mr. Tapan Chakraborty's residence on 26th April at around 7:30 AM was abducted by a neighborhood hoodlum on the road, named Sohel Chowdhury, son of Alamgir Chowdhury alias Dulal Miah, a local man of Baluchar of Dinajpur. He used a motor vehicle to abduct her. Two local young men were the accomplices of this incident. The younger brother of Upama Dutta helplessly witnessed the abduction.

Allegation: Due to the pressure from influential quarters and police, victim’s father failed to register the case. Later a FIR was register on 05/01/08. A number of our volunteers called both SP of Dinajpur, Mostafa Kamal (Tel: 880-1716386246 and 880-1713373955) and Officer in Charge Mr. Matiur Rahman (Tel: 880-1713373963). However, according to HRCBM-Dinajpur and volunteers who called the Police Station reported that both police officers seem to be racially biased and are in good term with criminals.

Current situation: Despite our engagement in this case, the girl is yet to be found.

For Details: Please visit http://www.hrcbm.org/ or http://quandaryreflection.blogspot.com/

3. Case of a Minor Minority Girl Kidnapped at Mongla, Bangladesh

Incident: A sixteen year old daughter of Parimal Roy was preparing to appear, until this incident, at this year’s S.S.C. (Secondary School Certificate) examination from the local Amratola-Chapra Secondary School. On the fateful evening of March 2, when she went outside of her home in order to respond to nature’s call, she was abducted by a neighborhood hoodlum, Saiful Molla, son of Hai Molla, a powerful and wealthy local man. He used a motorcycle to abduct her. Two local young men named Tapas and Suman Mondal were the accomplices of this incident. When Parimal Roy approached Abdul Hai Molla and their relatives on the following day in order to apprise him of this incident, they asked Parimal Roy to keep quiet. Subsequently, Parimal Roy again brought this incident to the notice of the guardians of the abductor and other villagers but to no effect. Failing to resolve this issue with Saiful’s guardians and being unable to file a case with the local police station for fear of revenge and retaliation, Parimal came to the press club and expressed his utter grief with the question “Will they do whatever they want to do to my daughter because I am a poor, helpless man?”, while he broke down in tears.

Allegation: It is alleged that police was initially reluctant to register the case.

Current situation: HRCBM has assigned a local lawyer to handle the case but the girl is yet to be rescued.

For Details: Please visit http://www.hrcbm.org/ or http://quandaryreflection.blogspot.com/

4. Case of Krishna Dey (18): A Minority Married Girl Kidnapped at Noakhali, Bangladesh

Incident: On 4th April 2008 a number of hoodlums (about 9 or more) as follows:
( 1) Abdullah Al Mamun @ Rafi, (2) Moinuddin (3) Rabin son of Mannan Commissioner, (4) Manju (5) Rajib son of Moinuddin (6) Putul son of Tofail Ahmed (7) Harun son of unknown (8) Din Islam son of Abdul Hakim and (9) Hukka, all of from Begumganj -Noakhali kidnapped Mrs. Krishna Dey (18) daughter of Mr. Tapan Dey on the way to her father-in-law's home at Chandpur.

Current situation: Mr. Tapan Dey, father of the victim, lodged an FIR against those perpetrators at Begumganj Police Station on the 4th of May, 2008 (Begumganj P.S. case No. 5 dated 5.04.2008 under section 7(30) of Nari-O-Shishu Nirjatan Ain, 2000).

Arrest: Police only arrested Din Islam son of A. Hakim and Hukka today. Police has not yet arrested other accused and rescued the victim.

Local Police Station contacts: Mr. Khandakar Lutful Kabir, Superintendent of Police, Noakhali telephone Number 880-171-337-3742.

For Details: Please visit http://www.hrcbm.org/ or http://quandaryreflection.blogspot.com/

Note: At the time of writing this appeal, Police found to be prejudiced and reluctant to apprehend the criminals in each case.

Urgent Action Demanded
The Human Right Congress for Bangladesh Minorities (HRCBM) vehemently protests and condemns these repugnant and barbaric acts of violence and violation of the rights including abduction and gang rape of the minor girls and women. We appeal to the Caretaker Government of Bangladesh, the Chief Advisor, Dr. Fakruddin Ahmed, the Chief of Army Staff, General Moeen U. Ahmed, the IG of Police, and the conscience of the peoples, governments and human rights institutions, including the United Nations, for immediate intervention to save the life and dignity of the above unfortunate victims and their helpless families, and to protect the rights of the religious and ethnic minorities and indigenous people of Bangladesh.

APPEAL TO:
1. Honourable Dr. Fakhruddin AhmedChief Adviser Government of the People's Republic of BangladeshOffice of the Chief AdvisorTejgaon, Dhaka BANGLADESHFax: +880 2 811 3244 / 3243 / 1015 / 1490Tel: +880 2 882 816 079 / 988 8677

2. General Moeen U AhmedChief of Army StaffBangladesh ArmyArmy HeadquartersDhaka CantonmentDhakaBANGLADESHTel: +880 2 9870011Fax: +880 2 8754455

3. Mr. Mohammad Ruhul AminChief JusticeSupreme Court of BangladeshSupreme Court BuildingRamna, Dhaka-1000BANGLADESHFax: +880 2 956 5058Tel: +880 2 956 2792

4. Mr. A F Hassan ArifAdviserMinistry of Law, Justice & Parliamentary AffairsBangladesh SecretariatDhaka-1000BANGLADESHTel: +880 2 7160627 (O)Fax: +880 2 7168557 (O)

5. Barrister Fida M KamalAttorney General of BangladeshOffice of the Attorney GeneralSupreme Court BuildingRamna, Dhaka-1000BANGLADESHFax: +880 2 956 1568Tel: +880 2 956 2868

6. Mr. Nur MohammadInspector General of Police (IGP) Bangladesh PolicePolice Headquarters'Fulbaria, Dhaka-1000BANGLADESHFax: +880 2 956 3362 / 956 3363Tel: +880 2 956 2054 / 717 6451 / 717 6677

7. Mr. Asaduzzaman Mian Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Khulna RangeOffice of the DIG Khulna RangeKhulna BANGLADESHTel: +880 41 761823 (O) Fax: +880 41 761300 (O)

8. Mr. Hassan Mahmud KhandokarDirector General (DG)Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)RAB HeadquarterUttara, DhakaBANGLADESHTel: +88-02- 8961105 (O)Fax: +880 2 8962884 (O)

9. Ms. Hina JilaniSpecial Representative of the Secretary General for human rights defendersAtt: Melinda Ching SimonRoom 1-040, c/o OHCHR-UNOG1211 Geneva 10SWITZERLANDTel: +41 22 917 93 88Fax: +41 22 917 9006 (ATTN: SPECIAL REPRESENTATIVE HUMAN RIGHTSDEFENDERS)



Salutation: Dear Sir
PLEASE SEND THE APPEAL IMMEDIATELY:Please voice your support, fax or mail your appeal to the addresses above, and help save humanity from the perils of barbaric atrocities.

Please contact us at info@hrcbm.org for any question and further details.

On behalf of Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh Minorities (HRCBM)
Dhiman Deb Chowdhury, President
Dr. Ajit K. Roy, General Secretary

NB: This Urgent Action Appeal has been sent to the UN Secretary General, US State Department, US Ambassador to Bangladesh, Bangladesh Ambassador to the US, Amnesty International, IMF, World Bank, Paris Consortium, International Human Rights Organizations, world leaders and governments all over the world.

Press Release from Bangladesh Khilafat Andolon