Honorable Chair, Distinguished Speakers, respected ladies and gentlemen: I feel highly privileged to join you in this forum and share with you my concerns about Democracy, Human Rights & Religious Freedom situation in Bangladesh.
Ladies & Gentleman, the basic tenets of a free society are Democracy, Human Rights and religious freedom. And they are all in danger in Bangladesh at the hands of Religious extremists and the ultra-nationalists, who are working in tandem to transform Bangladesh into an Islamic theocracy in the mold of Afghanistan under Taliban.
For a pluralistic democracy to flourish and take hold in Bangladesh--- these extremist groups must be reined in. This can be achieved through the empowerment of progressive Muslims and the religious & ethnic minorities with a special emphasis to human rights and religious freedom.
Let me focus on religious minorities such as Hindus, Buddhists, Christians and Ahmediya branch of Islam, for a minute. According to CIA World Fact Book 17% of Bangladesh's 150 million people or 25.5 million people are minorities. Minority population in Bangladesh has been shrinking rapidly in the face of brutal persecution and atrocities unleashed by the Islamists.
Ladies & gentlemen, the November 29 - December 5, 2003 issue of The Economist, describing the plight of the minorities of Bangladesh wrote, [quote] " Bangladesh’s minorities: safe only in the departure lounge." You may recall, the BNP- Jamat Coalition, right after there electoral victory in 2001, embarked on a countrywide heinous crime spree that included murders, rape, arson, extortion, land grabbing, and what not---that forced tens of thousands of minorities to flee from the country. The persecution of minorities and violence against moderate Muslims continued throughout its tenure until 2006, when the ruling army-backed Caretaker government was installed.
The caretaker government undertook some steps to right the years of wrongs done to the country and the institution of democracy but the problems that the minorities are facing remain unchanged and there is no plan in sight to address those issues. The instruments of minority persecution are not only well and alive—rather gained strength and legitimacy as the minority issues are shunned from the government’s reform agenda. Indigenous people in Chittagong Hill Tracts are evicted from their primal land as I speak; and, young girls are still raped in front of their parents, which are used as a tool to drive the minorities out of the country.
By writing several memorandums, and then personally meeting with the Chief Advisor, Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed as well as General Moeen U. Ahmed, the army Chief of Staff, we have repeatedly urged the Caretaker Government to address the grave problems facing the country's 25.5 million minorities, but they fell on deaf ears.
In the past 35 years minorities have been dispossessed of more than 2.5 millions acres of prime real estate through the Enemy Property Act, a criminal act by the Government against its own citizens. This discriminatory law in its 40 years of existence has affected millions of Hindus in Bangladesh. The “Defense of Pakistan Rules" branding Hindu citizens of the country as the enemy was enacted by Pakistan during its war with India in 1965. But with a twist of irony, that infamous decree found its way to become an instrument of persecution in the independent Bangladesh. Now, Bangladesh fought a war against Pakistan and earned its independence in 1971, meaning Bangladesh is neither a part nor a successor of Pakistan since March 26, 1971. Also neither Bangladesh nor India waged or declared any war against each other" Therefore, how enemy of Pakistan becomes enemy of Bangladesh? Or is Bangladesh, after gaining independence with the direct military help of India, remaining at a state of war with India? For what purpose other than persecution do these laws remain in force?
We urged Major General Men U. Ahmed in a town hall meeting in New York City to repeal the Enemy Property Act and return those properties to their rightful owners to no avail.
Ladies and gentlemen, as in the past, minority representation in positions of prestige and power under this government is little or none. In civilized nations we would see minorities at least in 20% of the government. Sadly, one Christian member of the minority community who was appointed in the 11-member government was finally purged after a year. You may wish to ask the government how many ambassadors, generals, secretaries, top bureaucratic official, justices in Bangladesh are from minority communities.
Ladies and gentlemen, the ban on the religious books of the Ahmedia Muslims instituted under BNP-Jamat, has not been lifted yet. The order by previous Islamist government to demolish the historic Ramna Kali Temple and to build a new one at a different location—a blatant disrespect of Hindu religion and disregard for historic places and events—has not been rescinded yet. Ensuring equal rights and freedom of religion do not require any parliamentary action rather it requires basic understanding of principles of humanity and a will to do what is right.
In the past few years, the plight of the minorities of Bangladesh has been at least partially reflected in the USCIRF annual reports, and it had held hearings on these issues, sent its commissioners to Dhaka and placed Bangladesh on its Watch List for the past three consecutive years. These have helped tremendously in that the Government knows that somebody is watching them, but much more drastic measures ought to be taken so that the government is forced to act.
Please allow me to give you one or two examples of how rape is being used against the minorities. In the USCIRF annual report issued on May 02, 2008 rightly observed: "Rape is also reportedly a common form of anti-minority violence, --. The government commonly fails to punish the perpetrators of these acts against women, --“. I am giving here two cases, not old, and it happened within last two weeks:
A Poor Minority Girl abducted and raped for 7 days in Sylhet: Dhaka, 6 May 2008 :
Miss Mili Rani Malakar (daughter of Khoka Malakar of village Kholadapunia, under Jokigunj PS) of Sylhet was abducted on 24th April and left in a critical condition at Bhattapara Primary School on 1 May late night. Local people sent the victim to Hospital. She was gang raped for days together. Reports published in the local dailies in Dhaka and Sylhet stated that Mili Rani is the only earning member of the family as her father is blind. Nobody is speaking out against this crime fearing retribution, as the accused kidnapper come from a very notorious Union Parisad member Abdul Lalif and his associates. Police also denied register the case.
Where is Upama? Ms. Upama Dutta (14) an adolescent minority Hindu school girl kidnapped on 26th April 2008 from Dinajpur Sadar. Police neither recovered the victim-girl nor perpetrators were arrested till date. She is a 9 grader and was going to school when kidnapped. The perpetrators are (1) Sohel Hoque (2) Alamgir Chowdhury (3) Shohag and (4) Ms.Putul of Dinajpur district. It is also alleged that the perpetrators over mobile telephone demanded ransom from the father of the victim; otherwise their girl would be killed, sold out or will be forcibly converted to Islam.
GHRD: Perpetrators hanged dead body of MUKUL GOLDAR (50) a Hindu victim after murder on 27th April 2008 at Balarampur within Terakhada PS of Khulna district of Bangladesh. Local police and people tried to conceal murder as "Suicidal case". GHRD investigated on spot on 2nd & 3rd May and confirmed it as a murder.
CHT: 150 houses in 8 villages were burnt down to ashes in the open day light by the Muslim settlers on 20th April with support from security forces in Sajek Union, Rangamati. These are poor tribals and their only fault is that they are not Muslims. After the fire, about 30/35 families took Baghaihat Moitripur Jogi Bono Bihara [Buddhist Temple] whose priest told: 'I am ashamed to say this, I am also a religious leader. This kind of incident has happened in my area.' A citizen's team visited the area on 28th and 29th April. Army chief also visited the area. In NY Indigenous Chakma group along with BHBCUC, USA had protested the incident gathering in front of the UN on 25th April.
USCIRF report on 2nd May said clearly that: the Commission finds that religious freedom remains under threat in Bangladesh. If left unchecked, current trends toward greater intolerance and religiously-motivated violence, particularly toward Hindus, non-Muslim tribal residents, Ahmadis, and Christians, could further undermine human rights protections for all Bangladeshis. Accordingly, the Commission continues to place Bangladesh on its Watch List.
Finally, I urge you to take adequate measures so that the minorities can not only exercise their franchise, but also be adequately represented in the parliament and government.
Thank you ladies and gentlemen for patiently listening to our concerns.
Sitangshu Guha
Director, Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, USA/ Director, Bangladesh Human Rights Watch, USA/ guhasb@gmail.com; sbguha@yahoo.com; www.bhbcuc-usa.org / Tel: 646-696-5569
This portion was made ready to answer questions and to explain if time allows, but the whole lecture was given to the organizers:
Democracy
· For long time Bangladesh was run by Islamists & their partners and when they play vital role in state mechanism, Democracy/HR/Religious Freedom became ‘Mirage’
· 5th & 8th amendments of the constitution made Bangladesh a mini Pakistan and Bangladesh is going in that direction only.
· Growing Military role is against Democracy. For Democracy (‘of the people, by the people, for the people’) a country should be run by freely elected politicians and only by the politicians. Brussels based ICG (International Crisis Group) expressed fear of the collapse of Bangladesh’s democracy plan in its 28th April report.
Ambassadors
Newly appointed US ambassador told in Dhaka that growing military role is not a healthy sign for democracy. He told: Bangladesh will be isolated if military takes power. He also said that, free & fair election is not possible under emergency. British Ambassador echoed US ambassador and told almost the same thing. He told: Britain won’t support military rule in Bangladesh. Long time emergency is no good for democracy.
USCIRF
On last Friday, 2nd May UNCIRF published its annual report, in which it says that: “The role of the military under the current caretaker government raises questions about the future of democracy, rule of law, and respect for human rights in Bangladesh. These institutions, important guarantors for religious freedom, could be further eroded if the country’s caretaker government prolongs its tenure in office by impeding efforts to prepare for the free and fair election of a national government truly representative of the popular will, such as by refusing to lift the state of emergency”
Democracy Bangladeshi Style:
Where is Bangladesh today? Where does democracy and minority stand? An observer of democratic country must be worried to learn about “democracy Bangladeshi style”. It is a unique phenomenon where “the religious minority is kept under tremendous pressure to get out of the country” and on the other hand Islamize the country in the name of democracy.
Terrorism
Bangladesh is a soft ground for the terrorists and there are hundreds of terrorist organizations playing in the field right now. Just recently, in Tripura, India, a Muslim minister resigned because he had connection with a Bangladeshi terrorist, linked with Huji-B, which is a terrorist organization in State Departments’ list. Now days you see & you will see in future, that, most of the terrorists act happening in India, Bangladeshi terrorists are involved there. It tells us that the Bangladeshi terrorists are destabilizing the whole sub-continent. Terrorism will continue growing so long Islamists will have upper hand in Bangladesh and Jamaat-E-Islami will not be accountable for its past crimes.
James Novak
James J Novak’s questioned in an article “Will Bangladesh Survive?” Who knows, the situation in Bangladesh remains precarious, however and the danger of failure are still very real. For survival, Bangladesh needs friend, who will be a friend if it is not in the right track?
Moderate Muslim Country
Some people love to call Bangladesh a ‘Moderate Muslim Country’. They are patting the back of the Islamists. There is no such thing, moderate Muslim country. Either it is a Democratic country or an Islamic country. Please don’t pat at the back of the Islamists.
Trial of the War Criminals
Trial of war criminals is directly linked with the Human Rights situation & it is popular demand in today’s Bangladesh. Who are the war criminals? Whole Jamaat leadership & militant Islamists. Of these vile people most infamous are: Golam Azam, Motiur Rahman Nizami and Ali Ahsan Mojaheed. This trial should happen and if it does, terrorism bound to go down.
Corruption
Some people may argue that, politicians are corrupt in Bangladesh. Well, who is not corrupt? Don’t forget that Bangladesh was champion of corruption for several years and is still within a dozen. Whole government machinery is corrupt, the whole system is corrupt.
The Economist
Just on April 17, 2008 Economist wrote that: HR situation is worse. Election is evident. Army is trying to get an exit route. Food & water crisis will make it harder.
Election
There is a rumor that election will not be held as scheduled. EC may defer election under pressure. Even if there is election as scheduled, it shall be free & fair and for that, military should be in the barrack, emergency need to be lifted, EC need to be able to work freely.
Food & Water Shortage
At this time Bangladesh is facing famine & draught. There are fearful shortage of food & water. One advisor called it ‘Hidden Hunger’ and another advised to eat potato. This military backed technocrat government is facing a challenge at this time and if the problem can’t be handled properly the country will be heading for a disaster.
Sheikh Hasan & Kheleda Zia
Sheikh Hasina is in jail for the sins of Khaleda Zia. Khaleda Zia should be tried for ‘Crime against Humanity’. She should be tried for Loggang killing, forming Rab, Cross fire killings, Operation Clean Heart, religious minority persecution and giving shelter to the terrorists during her tenure etc.
ICG fears collapse of Bangladesh’s democracy plan: The International Crisis Group on April 28 stressed the need for the immediate holding of a dialogue by all the influential actors in politics. ICG asked the interim government to scrap the ‘minus two’ policy and set a specific date for parliamentary elections. In its report, ICG described the change-over in the government on January 11, 2007, and the promulgation of the state of emergency, as a ‘quiet coup’. The interim government has systematically, albeit relatively subtly, attempted to muzzle the media and other vocal critics. ‘Anyone deemed to be a political threat to the caretaker government is threatened or arrested.’. It said the army is preparing a countrywide list of its own ‘clean’ candidates to contest the 2008 polls. The report quoted a UN official as saying, ‘to assume that the military is less corrupt than other institutions is false. They’re not subject to the same public scrutiny as other public institutions’.
Muslim democracy: An oxymoron?
Whether Islam and democracy can coexist within the same socio-political space has long been debated. Democracy in Muslim Societies. The Asian Experience by Zoya Hasan shows that Muslim countries have fared very poorly in terms of democratic form or substance compared to non-Muslim countries. Today’s world proves that Islam & Democracy can’t go side by side, Bangladesh is no exception.
Conclusion
When the present government came to power everybody congratulated them. It was told that a derailed train was put back on the right track. Question is where it is going now? Some people loved to answer that, ‘It is heading towards Cassandra Crossing’. Can we save the train from being derailed again? Can we save the people from hunger? Can we save Bangladesh? Yes, only one way. If Bangladesh becomes a democratic country and the militant Islamists are thrown out, then it is possible, otherwise Bangladesh will be another militant Islamic country like Pakistan without the Islamic bomb.
Sitangshu Guha
Director, Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, USA/ Director, Bangladesh Human Rights Watch, USA/ guhasb@gmail.com; sbguha@yahoo.com; www.bhbcuc-usa.org / Tel: 646-696-5569
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