In another post, our esteemed world class deflector (you know, the one who is here to learn and engage - as long as its anti US Neo Imperialism) wrote:

"But in the past, when it was convenient to the Administration, they did not hesitate to cite Amnesty to make its case. So the rule here appears to be: Amnesty is a legitimate source for human rights violations of other countries, but is an unreliable and irresponsible source for reporting on the U.S".

Lets see if what's right for the Goose is right for the Gander

Amnesty International Blames Bangladesh for Failing Investigating Crimes & Terrors

http://www.voanews.com/bangla/2005-05-26-voa6.cfm

By Roquia Haider
Washington
26-May-2005
Report from Washington
Listen to Report from Washington

Amnesty International , a human rights organization , in its annual report published on Thursday have accused the government of Bangladesh for failing to investigate criminal and terror activities in Bangladesh including an assassination attempt on the life of Sheikh Hasina , the former Prime Minister. It also mentions human rights violations against the Ahmaddayyias, the tribals in Chittagong Hill Tracts and other minorities in Bangladesh . The report mentions several terror attacks on the opposition Awami League members and supporters as examples to the gross violations of human rights. It says that impunity from such crimes are responsible for the lack of investigation. Abbas Faiz, an Amnesty Official on South Asia has details to


Here are some others...........


The Ahmadiyya Community - their rights must be protected

http://www.amnestyusa.org/countries/bangladesh/document.do?id=F254B272E9984FD280256E7F004205A4

Urgent need for legal and other reforms to protect human rights

http://www.amnestyusa.org/countries/bangladesh/document.do?id=3E493F41BD98824F80256D2700529639

Attacks on members of the Hindu minority

http://www.amnestyusa.org/countries/bangladesh/document.do?id=2686654FCE2A14A180256B1800644D1E

Attack on Dr Humayun Azad -- government should bring to justice those responsible

http://web.amnesty.org/library/Index/ENGASA130022004?open&of=ENG-BGD

Amnesty International , a human rights organization , in its annual report published on Thursday have accused the government of Bangladesh for failing to investigate criminal and terror activities in Bangladesh including an assassination attempt on the life of Sheikh Hasina , the former Prime Minister.

I have checked the report.
http://www.amnestyusa.org/countries/bangladesh/document.do?id=2686654FCE2A14A180256B1800644D1E
The report is true.


Following the general elections on 1 October which were won by a coalition led by Bangladesh Nationalist Party(BNP) with a large majority, BNP supporters reportedly attacked Hindus because of their perceived support for the rival Awami League party during elections. Hundreds of Hindu families were reportedly driven off their land by groups affiliated to the BNP-led coalition who, in some cases, allegedly burnt their homes and raped Hindu women. Several Hindus were reportedly killed. Amnesty International is calling on the Government of Bangladesh to bring to justice perpetrators of these attacks regardless of their position in society or in any political party.

The current wave of attacks against the Hindu community in Bangladesh began before the general elections of 1 October 2001 when Hindus were reportedly threatened by members of the BNP-led alliance not to vote, since it was perceived their vote would be cast for the Awami League. The backlash after the elections was systematic and severe. Reports indicate that the worst affected areas have been inBarisal, Bhola, parts of Pirojpur, Khulna, Satkhira, Gopalganj, Bagerhat, Jessore, Commilla and Norsingdi. Attackers have reportedly entered Hindu homes, beaten members of the family, looted their property and in some cases, raped Hindu women.

But you might have forgot to notice one thing in the report.
When the incidence happens: After the general election.
Why happen, BNP supporter consider Hindu community in Bangladesh as Awami league supporter.
What is the fact: Hindus of Bangladesh has a clear image that they the vote bank for Awami league.
Who are BNP-led coalition: Jamat e Islam and Islamic Jote. Both are extreme right wing fundamentalist party.
Is BNP consist of Muslim only: No, Remarkable numbers of Hindus are there in BNP.
Is Awami league party of Hindus: No , Hindus and other is 20 % population of our country , Hindus may be hardly 15%.
Is this a riot in between the member of different religion? No. It is not. Fight between the supporter of political parties.
Bangladesh got her independence in 1971.
Highly Muslim populated country.
Is there any one, who can site an example of communal riot during the 34 years?
Look to our neighbor.
Highlighted portion: Maximum Hindus lives in those area.
Lastly, we don’t enjoy human right under any of our Government.
That is the truth though sad and disrespectful to a nation.
Reactionaries have ransomed the aspiration of our freedom fight.
We need another fight to restore our values.

Our Government articulated the same type of words like American Vice President

Why are the Ahmadiyya being persecuted?

PS The Government of my country does not have a Vice President

Why are the Ahmadiyya being persecuted?

PS The Government of my country does not have a Vice President

Ok made the correction.
Read American vice president.

Regarding Ahmadiyya:
It is a theological controversy.
Citizen of Bangladesh are mainly Sunni.
They treat them renegade and misleading Muslim believe in the name of Islam.

But why are they being persecuted ? They have a right to their beliefs.

What have you done personally to protest this persecution ?

here are some highlights from the report:

1. At least 147 people reportedly died during the year in what the government portrayed as deaths in crossfire between the special security force known as the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and suspected criminals. There were concerns that the deaths, which usually occurred in desolate locations after the arrest of suspects, were deliberate killings by the RAB. Opposition parties alleged their members were most frequently targeted, but the government denied this.

2. Human rights defenders continued to receive death threats and to be at risk of attacks. Perpetrators were believed to be linked to Islamist groups comment : what a surprise or armed criminal gangs whose conduct the defenders had criticized.

3. Impunity for violence against minorities, including members of the Hindu and Ahmadiyya communities, was endemic. comment : dictionary definition of ENDEMIC : Prevalent in or peculiar to a particular locality, region, or people.

4. No independent inquiry was conducted into the attacks on tribal people in the Chittagong Hill Tracts in 2003, which involved killing, rape, sexual assault, and the burning of hundreds of homes. No one was brought to justice for the killing of an Ahmadi preacher or for the chanting of hate slogans or for attacks against the Ahmadiyya community’s places of worship. Although several people were arrested on charges of involvement in the burning of a Hindu home in Banskhali Upazila in 2003, there were concerns that the main alleged culprits were not among them.

5. Violence against women was widely reported, including acid attacks and cases of women killed in dowry disputes. Women accounted for the large majority of acid attack victims. According to the Acid Survivors Foundation, at least 153 women were attacked between January and October, and in cases that went before the courts, only one in nine ended in successful prosecution. In some cases the matter was reportedly “settled” out of court between the families of the victim and the perpetrator. Reasons for most attacks were reportedly disputes between families or refusal by women of marriage or sex.

6. In several waves of mass arrests, thousands of people were detained, usually for weeks. Thousands were detained in April during a campaign of general strikes and anti-government protests organized by the Awami League. Thousands more were detained in September. Bangladeshi human rights organizations challenged the lawfulness of the arrests before the High Court, which sought but did not receive an explanation from the government.

http://web.amnesty.org/library/index/engasa130052004

Guys lets just not get personal alright

Mr.Wudjab,
When I witness your great concern about my country, I feel delighted.
Before reporting about a country, please do some basic work and don’t depend on net only.
I do not oppose or criticize the report of Amnesty International but do not agree to some point.

here are some highlights from the report:

1. At least 147 people reportedly died during the year in what the government portrayed as deaths in crossfire between the special security force known as the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and suspected criminals. There were concerns that the deaths, which usually occurred in desolate locations after the arrest of suspects, were deliberate killings by the RAB. Opposition parties alleged their members were most frequently targeted, but the government denied this.

I shall come to reply to your question about me in due course if possible.
Now let me describe the fact for the member of the forum.
In my view RAB should be empowered with more immunity.
Out of 147 there were none who had a clean record.
All of them were in the criminal and terrorist list, absconding for long period.
There was a long list of criminal charges against them and taking the advantage of our week judiciary and corrupt bureaucrats they always used to show thumb to the system.
When they placed to the court for justice they come out with bail and corrupt bureaucracy and filthy corrupt politician help them, common people become hostage.
There is no public reaction against RAB and we want more bonafied criminal should be dealt properly by RAB.
You are to understand the prevailing scenario of our society.

Point # 2. Not unlikely.
Point # 3. Regarding Ahmadiyya communities : If they like to introduce as Ahmadiyya communities, I find no problem. But if they want to highlight them as Ahmadiyya Muslim communities , there will be problem. You are to know the basic difference between Ahmadiyya communities and Muslim.
It is not political issue it is a theological issue.
Point#4. Replied above. Regarding Hindu home, neither it was political nor communal.
It was a case of robbery and as usual criminal get out through week point of our system. So RAB are required. Following a simple strategy, shoot on site.
Point# 5. There is answer in your post. Visible or invisible dowry systems are there in our society. It is changing it shape and color. There is a law against dowry but does not come in effect. It a social problem existing in the subcontinent.
Point# 6. True. When Awami league come to the power do the same thing with opposition , now BNP in power , following the tradition. It began in 1972.

I do not oppose or criticize the report of Amnesty International but do not agree to some point.

Classic shamy taqiya. You agree 100% with the AI report when it criticizes the US but are selective when it applies to your country ! Amazing ! Who would have imagined that !

You are to understand the prevailing scenario of our society.

Why ? Human rights are universal. They do not depend on the prevailing scenario anywhere.

Why do you not consider the prevailing situation in Guantanamo Bay ? Who are the people there ? Why are they there ?

Why do you not consider the prevailing situation in Guantanamo Bay ? Who are the people there ? Why are they there ?
You are correct , Human rights are universal.
We are backward and corrupt.
You can buy our judiciary, bureaucrats and politician, depend how much you are ready to pay.
Whom you want to buy?
Do you follow the same system in your America?

No.

So why do you wish to sweep the human rights violations in Bangladesh under the carpet ?

oint # 3. Regarding Ahmadiyya communities : If they like to introduce as Ahmadiyya communities, I find no problem. But if they want to highlight them as Ahmadiyya Muslim communities , there will be problem. You are to know the basic difference between Ahmadiyya communities and Muslim.
It is not political issue it is a theological issue.

So that gives you the right to violate their human rights ?

Point#4. Replied above. Regarding Hindu home, neither it was political nor communal.
It was a case of robbery and as usual criminal get out through week point of our system. So RAB are required. Following a simple strategy, shoot on site.

So why do AI think this is a human rights issues ? How come you can explain everything away when it refers to Bangladesh but act like a stubborn mule when demanding the US clean up it's human rights record ?

Point# 6. True. When Awami league come to the power do the same thing with opposition , now BNP in power , following the tradition. It began in 1972.

And this is supposed to be make it okay ?

I am really sorry to comment “Shoot on site” but that a feeling from the core of my heart.
We want to get rid of these terrorist, hooligans and criminals.
We shall fix up our problems and will never allow out side participation.
I am not trying to sweep anything under the carpet.
Gave you the correct picture of my country, our system, feeling of the mass.
You have highlighted a single incidence of Hindu home in Banskhali Upazila in 2003and trying to prove abuse of human right.
We have become tired by viewing such incidence all most every day with Bangladeshi Muslim.
We don’t evaluate from communal point of view.
It’s a national problem.
Regarding other point, if you think Bangladesh is an ideal model for you to follow, I Welcome you.
But don’t pose that you are the vanguards of human rights.
At least our Government doesn’t do that.

Keep your anger and emotions to yourself.

You have highlighted a single incidence of Hindu home in Banskhali Upazila

Not me. Your favourite human rights organization, AI did so.

You have issues with the AI report, then take it up with AI.

The hypocrisy you exhibit is breathtaking. AI is the absolute truth when it involves the US, it is worthless when it involves Bangladesh.

We shall fix up our problems and will never allow out side participation.

what have you done recently ? How many forums have you contributed to about the problems in your country ? How many threads have you opened concerning the human rights violations of the Ahmediya community in your country ?

None.
None.
None.

The hypocrisy you exhibit is breathtaking. AI is the absolute truth when it involves the US, it is worthless when it involves Bangladesh.
Are you blind?
Look to the confession.
I have checked the report.
http://www.amnestyusa.org/countries/bangladesh/document.do?id=2686654FCE2A14A180256B1800644D1E
The report is true.

Our Government articulated the same type of words like American Vice President

Your government might have said anything, but you personally shot holes in the report with your denial.

Remember this comment ? You have highlighted a single incidence of Hindu home in Banskhali Upazila in 2003and trying to prove abuse of human right.

The recent event of Mrs. Bidisha proves that the human rights are under the spike of the boots of our corrupt politicians.
The six organisations — Bangladesh Society for the Enforcement of Human Rights, Ubinig, Bangladesh National Women Lawyers’ Association, Ain O Salish Kendro, Naripokkho and Manabadhikar Sangstha — have done a creditable job of highlighting the issue. If men like Ershad can indeed get away with such bad treatment meted out to their spouses, the case for women’s rights can only come by more and newer hurdles in the future. We agree with the six organisations that an impartial inquiry should be instituted into the entire Bidisha affair in the interest of justice. There is a clear and present need to dig into the roots of the problem, identify the individuals responsible for the young lady’s harassment and bring those who have made her suffer to justice under the terms of the law. Bidisha Ershad is an ailing woman and in these past few days, in which she has been dragged from one place to another in a clear display of insensitivity, her physical and psychological condition has been made worse. There are all the questions flying around. One of crucial importance is why General Ershad was allowed to fly out of the country at a time when his presence (because it is a matter involving him and his wife) here was called for. How a simple issue of marital conflict can snowball into wider areas of investigation is a matter that calls for explanation on the part of the authorities.
We got a flag only not freedom.

Journalists from Bangladesh, Germany and Iran Win Courage in Journalism Awards from the International Women's Media Foundation


Sumi Khan 34, a reporter with Shaptahik 2000 (Weekly 2000) in Dhaka. Khan reports on politics, crime and corruption in one of the most dangerous countries for journalists in the world. Since 2000, nine journalists have been killed in Bangladesh and reporters are routinely harassed and beaten while trying to do their work.

In 2004, Khan began receiving threatening phone calls after she published an article about local politicians and religious organizations and their ties to attacks on minority groups. The phone calls were followed by an attack against her during which she was stabbed and beaten by three unknown assailants.

Khan was injured so severely that she was unable to work for three months.
Most recently, she received a death threat from the student wing of the Jamaat-e-Islami after her reporting tied the group to gang activity

To: Mr. Kofi Annan, Secretary General, UN
Mr. Kofi Annan,
Secretary General
United Nations

CC : Mr. George Bush, President of United States
Ms. Khaleda Zia, Prime Minister of Bangladesh
Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee, Prime Minister of India
Ms. Mary Robinson, UNHRC
Amnesty International


Sir,
Bangladesh held their national election on Oct 1st and BNP, led by Ms. Khaleda Zia in alliance with Fundamentalist Jamait-e-Islami emerged the victor. Immediately savage atrocities were unleashed upon the minority Hindu and other religious communities. Gangs rampaged into Hindu localities, looted and burnt down homes, attacked and killed people, gang raped women in public and took women as booty. Hindu temples were burnt down and deities destroyed. Victims were thundered to leave Bangladesh and to go to India. The rampage spread across Bangladesh very fast.

Barishal, Bagherhat and Firujpur are severely affected. In Barishal numerous women were gang-raped and tortured inhumanely. According to Daily Star and other newspapers, BNP and Jamait allies went on barbaric rampage in Chandshi, Bahadurpur, Barthi, Pingolkati, Ashukati, Agaizara and numerous other places on minorities for their support of Awami League. They gang-raped women publicly, gouged eyes, slaughtered any one in their way. An eyewitness says "you name any sorts of barbaric misdeeds, these Islamic fundamentalists have committed them all". The way two teens from Dhanduba under Gournadi sub-district were raped will shame the entire world. They have even poisoned the ponds so that minorities cannot even drink the water.

Acts of sheer brutality are reported from Rajshahi, Chapainababganj, Pabna, Atgoria, Kashinathpur and other northern districts of Bangladesh. Hindu minorities from Dinajpur, Takurgawn, Goaplpur, Tarash Sirajganj, Ullapara, Gaibanda and Shahajadpur are already leaving the country. The indigenous people along with Christian and Buddhist are also feeling the heat. Most of the victims stated that no police protection was seen anywhere. Minorities in Bangladesh have no government protection even in normal times against rape and abduction, forcible occupation of property & business, coercion and forced conversion to Islam.

Eyewitnesses are afraid that the situation has deteriorated so fast it may surpass the painful happenings of Dec '92 or Oct '90 when on each occasion over three thousand Hindu temples were destroyed, thousands of women raped, hundreds of thousands of homes burnt & businesses looted and millions of Hindus cleansed. If not intervened it may even touch the pathetic 1971 war, when Pakistan army and Islamic Razakars killed close to three million Hindus, raped million Hindu women and cleansed ten million Hindus who took refuge in secular India.

However there is one silver lining this time: though slim yet a section of Bangladesh media is reporting at least a partial account of the pogrom at great personal risk. Following Internet editions can be browsed for this bold, honest journalistic act: -


http://www.dailystarnews.com/200110/18/n1101801.htm
http://www.hrcbm.org/news/janakant_news.html
http://www.bangladesh-web.com/news/oct/11/pv4n714.htm http://independent-bangladesh.com/news/oct/11/11102001ct.htm
http://www.hrcbm.org/news/mahyem_ajkerkagaj.html
www.homelandbangladesh.com

The Human rights and women rights groups are afraid that if it continued, then Hindus will be wiped out. Present government made light of the atrocities which encouraged the Islamic fanatics to further destruction.

To live a life in Islamic theocracy is a challenge everyday to a non-Muslim. Yet after every few years ethnic cleansing, rape and forced conversion takes place. Same thing happened in '92 when Ms. Khaleda Zia won her first prime ministerial bid .
In such a grave situation human-rights groups, media, intellectuals, NGOs and governments of civilized nations preferred to remain silent.

We urge you, the secretary General of the august world body, to please act swiftly to stop the carnage, to make reparations to the victims and initiate ways to stop such dehumanizing acts forever in this Islamic theocracy of Bangladesh.

With all the expectations so that Bangladesh Hindus, Buddhists and Christians have a chance to live their life with safety and security,

Thank you very much.
Yours sincerely,


Sincerely,

The Undersigned

Seems a pretty awful situation...

If only the citizens of Bangladesh concentrated on cleaning up the cesspool in their own backyard before worring about a country thousands of miles away..