HUMAN RIGHTS CONGRESS FOR BANGLADESH MINORITIES
(HRCBM)-Bangladesh National Chapter
HRCBM is an NGO in Special Consultative Status with U N
Registered in Bangladesh under (ACT-XXI of 1860) No: S- 3573(361) of 2004
President: Professor Ajoy K Roy
Press Release
Dated Dhaka: 7 January 2014
Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh Minorities (HRCBM), an NGO in special consultative status with ECOSOC of the United Nations and also registered under Bangladesh society Act (Act XXI of 1860), expresses its deep anguish and concern over the recent barbaric atrocities done by Jamaat-Shibir cadres and BNP activist in the different parts in Bangladesh .They launched despicable attacks on Hindu communities in four districts the day after the 10th parliamentary elections. Hundreds of houses of the minority community were torched and looted since January 5,2014 night in Dinjapur, Jessore, Satkhira and Thakurgaon. A large number of Hindus took shelter in the temples, while others have fled to other villages. They are too scared to return even after assurances from local administration.
Dinajpur: Jamaat-Shibir cadres torched at least 150 houses in Hindu communities in Kornai village since Sunday night. At least 350 houses and 50 shops of five villages including Pritampara, Sahapara, Profullahpara, Telipara, Madhabpara and Ajaypara.
Jessore: Miscreants vandalised at least 46 Hindu houses and establishments and torched 6 more on January 5 night. They accused the victims of voting for Awami League. About 200 residents of Malopara took shelter at Deyapara village across the river Bhairab .
Thakurgaon: Led by Jamaat, opposition men January 6, 2014 unleashed fierce post-election violence upon the religious minorities in Thakurgaon. The marauding Jamaat-Shibir and BNP activists clashed with law enforcers and ruling party men, attacked election officials and went on a rampage. They damaged and looted 65 houses and 30 shops and set afire paddies stored at courtyards in several homes. Locals in two villages in Thakurgaon Sadar upazila alleged that Jamaat-BNP men, brandishing lethal weapons, roamed through their areas and threatened to kill them for casting votes.
Satkhira: After a clash between Awami League and BNP supporters, Jamaat-BNP men with sharp weapons, sticks and iron rods attacked the Hindus and others Awami League supporters. Several hundred Hindus and ruling Awami League leaders of Satkhira have been fleeing their homes over the last few days in the wake of massive violence unleashed by Jamaat-Shibir men in the district The Jamaat-Shibir rampage reminds of the atrocities by Pakistani occupations forces and their collaborators in 1971.
We desire to place 6-point demands before the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, elected members of parliament and to all political parties of Bangladesh in this regards for consideration. Moreover, we are ready to submit a draft Bill to the Government in this regard as titled “Bangladesh Prevention of Communal and Targeted Violenc e (Access to Justice and Reparations) Bill, 2014” aims to protect and fulfill the right to equality before law and equal protection of law by imposing duties on the government, to exercise their power in an impartial and non-discriminatory manner that need to be placed before the 10th parliament.
Our 6- point demands as follows:-
1. The Government of Bangladesh should reestablish constitution of Bangladesh as framed in 1972 by Scraping “Islam as State Religion” and “Bismill-hirRahamanir Rahim” from the Constitution of Bangladesh to ensure equal rights of Hind us of Bangladesh to make it secular Constitution as depicted in spirit of War of Liberation in 1971.
2. Judicial Commission for investigation is recommended for atrocities on minority Hindus in Bangladesh including continuous repression, conversions, abductions, rape, and vandalising, looting and setting fire on temples, business firms and houses of Hindu communities
3. The Government of Bangladesh should have to rehabilitate the displacement of houses, temples, on state responsibility. Protection to these v ulnerable groups is proposed through effective provisions for investigation, prosecution and trial of offences and to provide for relief, rehabilitation and compensation to all persons affected.
4. The Government of Bangladesh should take necessary steps relating to the vandalised and burnt houses, temples of Hindus have to be rebuilt and adequate compensation must be provided to them.
5. Bangladesh is second largest Hindu populated country in the World. Hindus would be ensured in Bangladesh if due representation of the community in the field of all decision –making institutions of the Republic. i.e. representation of minority in the Administration ,Army, Police, Judicial and Foreign services as well as public offices at all level is effectively ensured. They need 60 reservation seats in Parliament through Constitutional provision. They want empowerment in political and public offices and constitutional social justice as equal citizens of the Peoples’ Republic of Bangladesh..
6. The Government of Bangladesh, should show r espect to those obligations uphold the ideas in the constitution of Bangladesh as ratified so far the “Universal Declaration on Human Rights” to protect and fulfill the right to equality before law and equal protection of law by imposing duties on the government, to exercise their power in an impartial and non-discriminatory manner to prevent and control targeted violence .The Government of Bangladesh should enact law- aims to protect and fulfill the right to equality before law and equal protection of law by imposing duties on the government, to exercise their power in an impartial and non-discriminatory manner ;- to prevent and control targeted violence, including mass violence, against religious minorities and linguistic ethnic minorities in any part of Bangladesh ; – to uphold secular democracy and help secure fair and equal access to justice; – Protection to these vulnerable groups is proposed through effective provisions for investig ation, prosecution and trial of offences under the Act to provide for relief, rehabilitation and compensation to all persons affected.
