International human rights organisations have been intermittently blaming Bangladesh authorities for appalling human rights abuses and the culture of impunity the perpetrators enjoy for their political clouts.
The perpetrators usually do not have to listen to the music of justice, because of their political links, rubbing shoulders in the corridors with power and of course wanton corruption with law enforcement and judiciary.
The victims hardly get justice from the police, civil administration and judiciary.
A human rights organisation Ain-O-Salish Kendra (ASK), a Bangladesh NGO in a damning year-ending annual report on abuses and sufferings faced by the people of the country describes that the authorities did not take any course to mitigate the situation, which hinders not only democracy but also accountability and transparency of the governing Awami League.
Overall there has not been much improvement in the human rights situation in the country in 2023 compared to 2022, it has emerged from the observation of two different human rights organisations – ASK and ManabadhikarShongskriti Foundation (MSF).
When the issue of human rights is raised, the authorities are defending, the ruling party leaders are apologetic about the subject and the government is unabashed. It’s not a priority to protect human rights,says rights defender Sultana Kamal.
Compared to last year, extrajudicial killings in Bangladesh have decreased marginallyin the year 2023 but have not stopped completely. Rather, there has been an alarming increase in the number of deaths in police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and in prison custody. The cases of abductions, enforceddisappearances or abductions with the identity of law enforcement agencies have unfortunately continued.
At least seven people were killed in 15 cases of extrajudicial killings in 2023.During this period, 89 complaints of abduction have been received by law enforcement forces.
Last year, 17 people died in police custody, and 160 people died in prison custody. Nearly 352 unidentified bodies were recovered by police.
Extrajudicial deaths and enforced disappearances have slightly reduced compared to previous years after the United States announced sanctions against an entity, the elite anti-crime force Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).
Besides the number of extrajudicial killings was 20, at least 13 people died in police custody, two under RAB and three under the custody of detective police.
Forcible abductions allegedly by law enforcement agencies have increased in 2023. At least nine persons were victims of enforced disappearance. However, after several days of abduction, police claimed to have arrested six persons and three persons have returned to their families. None of the returnees were tight-lipped regarding the abduction and release.
As expected, the police denied any claim of abduction when their families enquired about the whereabouts of their loved ones. Police have been blamed for refusing to register cases of the abducted persons and instead asked to register the abduction incidents as missing person cases.
In the previous year, at least 45 people were killed in political violence and another 6,978 were wounded, according to ASK compilations from various newspapers.
As the 12th national polls draw nearer, the political landscape is marred by escalating violence, attacks on campaign offices, and clashes among supporters of rival candidates.
Less than a week before the upcoming national elections on 7 January 2024, the election violence, ranting against rival candidates, and clashes with rebel candidates who were denied nomination by the governing Awami League are alarming.
The rights group said that 10 people were killed in 138 incidents of election violence all over the country. One person was hacked to death at a public rally addressed by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, president of Awami League at Barishal recently.
The candidates, especially from the ruling party have continued to threaten the voters that they will punished if they do not turn up at the polling stations. Also, their government social security doles would be cancelled if they failed to cast a vote for the ruling party.
Lack of tolerance and accountability of political leaders and poor vigilance by the Bangladesh Election Commission has led to violence, leading political historian Mohiuddin Ahmad said.
The unprecedented accumulation of wealth of ruling party candidates has been reported in mainstream media compiled by Transparency International Bangladesh,SHUJAN(ShushashonerJonnoNagorik) and Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) has raised eyebrows amongthe citizens.
At least 290 journalists were victims of violence, death threats, intimidation, and blocked from doing their professional duties. Journalists who were attacked and wounded were 78 and the police failed to bring justice for the scribes.
In several incidents, government officials and staffhave heckled and attacked 22 journalists, mostly in cities and small towns in the upcountry.
Most of the threats and attacks were purportedly by ruling party local leaders and their henchmen, according to the media rights network Forum for Freedom of Expression, Bangladesh (FExB).
VOICE, a human rights-based research and advocacy organisation expressed concerns over online safety, the right to privacy, and data protection in the emerging digital world dominated by technology, especially for human rights frontline defenders.
Regarding deaths allegedly by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) when they shot and killed 27 and wounded 32 Bangladesh nationals at the international borders of Bangladesh and India.
Theintermittent incidence of attacks, vandalism, arson, looting, and desecration of temples, homes, and business establishments of Hindu religious minorities remains unabated.
International human rights often blamed Bangladesh authorities for not doing enough to provide security and punish the perpetrators.
There were at least 63 incidents of violence against Hindus in 2023. In 2022 the number of incidents was 81. The rights groups claim that the number of crimes against religious minorities has lessened.
Besides attacks on Hindus, the Ahmadiyya, a Muslim sect were also victims of radicalised Sunni Muslims, who are majoritarian in the country.
Last year an annual event ‘Jalsha’ of the Ahmadiyya Muslims was called off at Panchagarh town, in northern Bangladesh when the venue was attacked by angry Muslims. Two people died and over a hundred were injured. None of the perpetrators were brought to justice.
The chairman of Bangladesh National Human Rights Commission, Kamal Uddin refuted the claim made by ASK. The rights organisation has exaggerated the incidents, which may tarnish the image of Bangladesh at home and abroad.
He admitted that some incidents of human rights have occurred, but that does not mean the overall situation of human rights has deteriorated.
Both Ain O Salish Kendra and ManabadhikarShongskriti Foundation have demanded that an independent commission must be formed to probe into the extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances to bring the members of law enforcement forces to justice.
Saleem Samad is an award-winning independent journalist based in Bangladesh. A media rights defender with the Reporters Without Borders (@RSF_inter). Recipient of Ashoka Fellowship and Hellman-Hammett Award. He could be reached at saleemsamad@hotmail.com; Twitter (X): @saleemsamad
