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BANGLADESH: opposition political activists beaten and arrested by the police during demonstrations and a country-wide strike

February 23, 2006

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ASIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION - URGENT APPEALS PROGRAMME

Urgent Appeal

23 February 2006
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UA-070-2006: BANGLADESH: opposition political activists beaten and arrested by the police during demonstrations and a country-wide strike

BANGLADESH: Arbitrary arrest; beating and ill-treatment
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Dear friends,

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has been informed that the police have beaten a number of political activists and demonstrators during a nationwide dawn-to-dusk strike and peaceful demonstration programme called by a 14 political opposition party alliance on January 22, 2006. One leading activist was also arrested and later released. Reports indicate that other activists, including women, were arrested and detained in different police stations across the nation, although no further information is currently available concerning their plight.

The alliance of 14 political opposition parties, led by the Bangladesh Awami League, called the country-wide dawn-to-dusk ‘Hartal’ (strike) to protest against rising prices and calling for reforms to the Constitution, notably concerning the caretaker government and election systems.

Ms. Shamima Rahman, who is the president of Awami Jubo Mohila League (Youth Women League), a political wing of the mainstream opposition Bangladesh Awami League, based in the Tenjgaon Police Station unit’s jurisdiction area, has stated that the police attacked a demonstration at around 2:45 pm. Some 30 to 40 female demonstrators were reportedly injured due to physical assaults by the police. Ms. Shamima Rahman herself reports having sustained considerable injuries to her hands, legs, back and waist. She alleges that the police beat other demonstrators and also used abusive language. The police arrested her, but she was released later on following an escalation to the demonstrations as a result of her arrest. She received medical treatment for her injuries at a private clinic at Dhanmondi in Dhaka and later at her home.

Ms. Maya Akter, who is the general secretary of the Awami Juba Mohila League in the Kafrul police station unit’s jurisdiction area, alleges that she was also beaten by the police at around 12 noon while taking part in a procession in Dhanmondi. Male members of the police beat the women and used abusive language, allegedly without any provocation from the demonstrators. The police dragged her along the street while taking her to a police van. One of her wrists has reportedly been fractured as a result of the police’s actions. She has been receiving medical treatment at home and continues to fear further police reprisals.  

Another political activist, Mr. Nasir Uddin, who is a member of the Bangladesh Awami League in the Kafrul police station unit’s jurisdiction area, alleges that he was beaten by the police in the Mohakahali area of Dhaka while taking part in a demonstration. The policemen reportedly beat him to the ground and continued beating him with sticks. He has reportedly sustained injuries all over his body.

Mr. Zahirul Haque Jillur, the president of the Awami League in the No. 39 Ward area, alleges that he was beaten by the police at the Nabisko bus stop in Dhaka during the strike. At around 10:30am, a former Member of the Parliament (MP), Mr. Dr. H B M Iqbal, who was leading a procession in the Nabisko area, was also beaten by the police. The police allegedly beat Mr. Iqbal to the ground and he was later admitted to Samarita Hospital at Panthapath with several injuries.

Mr. Karim Shikder, who is a leader of Jatio Samajtantrik Dal (JSD - National Communist Party), was also reportedly beaten by the police on the day preceding the strike, sustaining numerous injuries. The victims allege that other leaders and activists were also beaten by the police, including: Mr. Azizur Rahman, Mr. Abdul Mannan, Mr. Jalal and Mr. Sanowar Hossen.

However, the police have denied the allegations related to the beating of opposition political activists during the strike. The Officer-in-Charge (OC) of the Tejgaon police station, Mr. Kamrul Islam, denied the allegations when contacted by a fact-finding team. The Assistant Commissioner (AC) of the Tejgaon Zone of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), Mr. Taherul Islam Chowdhury, told a fact-finding team that the allegations of beatings by the police are politically motivated. The evidence suggests otherwise.

SUGGESTED ACTION:

Please send letters to the Inspector General of Police and other persons listed below expressing your concerns about the arbitrary arrest and beating of political activists and demonstrators by the police in Bangladesh. The concerned government agencies must be urged to initiate thorough and impartial investigations into these events. All persons being detained arbitrarily as a result of these events must be released immediately in the absence of valid legal charges against them. The perpetrators must be brought to justice and adequate reparation must be provided to the victims. 

Suggested Letter:

Dear Mr. _______________,

BANGLADESH: opposition political activists beaten and arrested by the police during demonstrations and a country-wide strike
Name of the victims:

1. Shamima Rahman, president of Awami Jubo Mohila League (Youth Women League),
a political wing of the mainstream opposition Bangladesh Awami League party, in Tenjgaon
Police Station unit’s jurisdiction, Dhaka
2. Maya Akter, general secretary Awami Juba Mohila League in the Kafrul police station unit’s jurisdiction, Dhaka
3. Nasir Uddin, a member of the Bangladesh Awami League in the Kafrul police station unit’s jurisdiction
4. Zahirul Haque Jillur, the president of the Awami League in the No. 39 Ward area
5. Karim Sikdar, a member of the central committee of the Jatio Samajtantrik Dal (JSD)
6. Azizur Rahman, president of Awami League of 20 No. Ward
7. Abdul Mannan, General Secretary of Shramik (labor) League in No. 19 Ward
8. Jalal, Member of the Shramik League in the Gulshan Police Station jurisdiction
9. Sanowar Hossen, General Secretary Shramik League’s Gulshan local branch
10. Many other activists of the opposition 14 Party Alliance in Bangladesh

Name of the alleged perpetrators: members of the police from different police stations across the country
Date of incident: January 22, 2006

I am writing to you in order to voice my concerns regarding allegations of beatings and arbitrary arrests of demonstrators and political activists by members of the police in Bangladesh during a strike programme on January 22, 2006.
 
According to the information that I have received, the Alliance of 14 opposition political parties declared a nationwide dawn-to-dusk ‘Hartal’ (strike) programme on January 22, 2006, to protest against rising prices and calling for reforms to the Constitution, notably concerning the caretaker government and election systems. The police have reportedly physically assaulted demonstrators and political activists and arbitrarily arrested a number of them in order to repress the movement.
Among the victims, Ms. Shamima Rahman was beaten by the police at Tejgaon area, while she was taking part in a procession. She was arrested and put in a police van, but released later on following increased pressure by the demonstrators. She has received considerable injuries due to the beating by the police and is under treatment at her home.

Another victim, Maya Akter was beaten by the police in the Dhanmondi area at around 12 noon on the same day, during a demonstrating. One of her wrists has reportedly been fractured as a result of the police’s action, which included dragging her along the ground while taking her to a police van. The male policemen used abusive language to the women demonstrators, including Maya. She has been receiving medical treatment at home.

In another case, Mr. Zahirul Haque Jillur was beaten by the police at the Nabisko bus stop area in Dhaka during a procession. Former Member of Parliament (MP), Mr. Dr. H B M Iqbal, was also beaten by the police in the same area while leading a procession. I have also been informed that Nasir Uddin was also beaten by the police in the Mohakhali area in Dhaka city during a procession.

I am aware that the victims are activists of the opposition political parties. They are not receiving appropriate medical treatment for the injuries they have suffered.
In light of this, I urge you to commence an impartial and thorough investigation into these alleged incidents of beating and ill-treatment without delay.  If it is found that the alleged perpetrators have committed offences against the victims, appropriate charges must be filed against them and they should be tried with all speed. The victims should be provided with adequate reparation for the sufferings that they have endured. 
 
I urge the Government of Bangladesh to enact domestic legislation declaring torture a crime. I am aware that the Bangladeshi government has acceded to the provisions of the U.N. Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT), but has thus far failed to enact laws in full conformity with the Convention.

I look forward to your urgent intervention in this matter.

Yours sincerely,

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PLEASE SEND LETTER TO:

1. Mr. Abdul Quayum
Inspector General of Police (IGP)
Bangladesh Police
Police Headquarters’
Fulbaria, Dhaka-1000
BANGLADESH
Tel: +88-02-9562054, 7176451, 7176677, 8362552 or 8362553
Fax: +88-02-9563362, 9563363

2. Mr. S M Mizanur Rahman
Commissioner
Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP)
The DMP Headquarters
1, Shaheed Captain Monsur Ali Road
Ramna, Dhaka-1000
BANGLADESH
Tel: +88-02-8322746, 8316248, 8855922
Fax: +88-02-8322746

3. Mr. Md. Lutfozzaman Babor MP
State Minister
The Ministry of Home Affairs
Government of the Peoples’ Republic of Bangladesh
The Bangladesh Secretariat
Dhaka-1000
BANGLADESH
Tel: +88-02-7169069, 8359000
Fax: + 88-02-7160405, 7164788

4. Mr. Anwarul Karim
Joint Secretary (Police)
Ministry of Home Affairs
Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh
Bangladesh Secretariat
Dhaka-1000
BANGLADESH
Tel: +88-02-7164680, 8953012
Fax: +88-02-7171592

5. Mr. A. J. Mohammad Ali
The Attorney General of Bangladesh
The Office of the Attorney General
Supreme Court Building
Ramna, Dhaka-1000
BANGLADESH
Tel: +88-02-9562868
Fax: +88-02-9561568

6. Mr. Syed J. R. Mudassir Husain
The Chief Justice
The Supreme Court of Bangladesh
Supreme Court Building
Ramna, Dhaka-1000
BANGLADESH
Tel: +88-02-9562792
Fax: +88-02-9565058

7. Prof. Manfred Nowak
Special Rapporteur on the Question of Torture
Attn: Mr. Sarir Syed
C/o OHCHR-UNOG
1211 Geneva 10
SWITZERLAND
Tel:+41 22 917 9230
Fax:+41 22 9179016 (general)
E-mail: ssyed@ohchr.org

8. Ms. Veronica Birga
Special Rapporteur on Elimination of violence against women
CC: Rachel Rico (rrico@ohchr.org)
c/o Ms Lucinda Ohanlon
Room 3-042
OHCHR-UNOG
8-14 Avenue de la Paix
1211 Geneva 10
SWITZERLAND
Tel: +41 22 917 9615
Fax: +41 22 917 9006
Email: rrico@ohchr.org  

Thank you.

Urgent Appeal Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission

Document Type :
Urgent Appeal Case
Document ID :
UA-070-2006
Countries :
Issues :
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Extended Introduction: Urgent Appeals, theory and practice

A need for dialogue

Many people across Asia are frustrated by the widespread lack of respect for human rights in their countries.  Some may be unhappy about the limitations on the freedom of expression or restrictions on privacy, while some are affected by police brutality and military killings.  Many others are frustrated with the absence of rights on labour issues, the environment, gender and the like. 

Yet the expression of this frustration tends to stay firmly in the private sphere.  People complain among friends and family and within their social circles, but often on a low profile basis. This kind of public discourse is not usually an effective measure of the situation in a country because it is so hard to monitor. 

Though the media may cover the issues in a broad manner they rarely broadcast the private fears and anxieties of the average person.  And along with censorship – a common blight in Asia – there is also often a conscious attempt in the media to reflect a positive or at least sober mood at home, where expressions of domestic malcontent are discouraged as unfashionably unpatriotic. Talking about issues like torture is rarely encouraged in the public realm.

There may also be unwritten, possibly unconscious social taboos that stop the public reflection of private grievances.  Where authoritarian control is tight, sophisticated strategies are put into play by equally sophisticated media practices to keep complaints out of the public space, sometimes very subtly.  In other places an inner consensus is influenced by the privileged section of a society, which can control social expression of those less fortunate.  Moral and ethical qualms can also be an obstacle.

In this way, causes for complaint go unaddressed, un-discussed and unresolved and oppression in its many forms, self perpetuates.  For any action to arise out of private frustration, people need ways to get these issues into the public sphere.

Changing society

In the past bridging this gap was a formidable task; it relied on channels of public expression that required money and were therefore controlled by investors.  Printing presses were expensive, which blocked the gate to expression to anyone without money.  Except in times of revolution the media in Asia has tended to serve the well-off and sideline or misrepresent the poor.

Still, thanks to the IT revolution it is now possible to communicate with large audiences at little cost.  In this situation there is a real avenue for taking issues from private to public, regardless of the class or caste of the individual.

Practical action

The AHRC Urgent Appeals system was created to give a voice to those affected by human rights violations, and by doing so, to create a network of support and open avenues for action.  If X’s freedom of expression is denied, if Y is tortured by someone in power or if Z finds his or her labour rights abused, the incident can be swiftly and effectively broadcast and dealt with. The resulting solidarity can lead to action, resolution and change. And as more people understand their rights and follow suit, as the human rights consciousness grows, change happens faster. The Internet has become one of the human rights community’s most powerful tools.   

At the core of the Urgent Appeals Program is the recording of human rights violations at a grass roots level with objectivity, sympathy and competence. Our information is firstly gathered on the ground, close to the victim of the violation, and is then broadcast by a team of advocates, who can apply decades of experience in the field and a working knowledge of the international human rights arena. The flow of information – due to domestic restrictions – often goes from the source and out to the international community via our program, which then builds a pressure for action that steadily makes its way back to the source through his or her own government.   However these cases in bulk create a narrative – and this is most important aspect of our program. As noted by Sri Lankan human rights lawyer and director of the Asian Human Rights Commission, Basil Fernando:

"The urgent appeal introduces narrative as the driving force for social change. This idea was well expressed in the film Amistad, regarding the issue of slavery. The old man in the film, former president and lawyer, states that to resolve this historical problem it is very essential to know the narrative of the people. It was on this basis that a court case is conducted later. The AHRC establishes the narrative of human rights violations through the urgent appeals. If the narrative is right, the organisation will be doing all right."

Patterns start to emerge as violations are documented across the continent, allowing us to take a more authoritative, systemic response, and to pinpoint the systems within each country that are breaking down. This way we are able to discover and explain why and how violations take place, and how they can most effectively be addressed. On this path, larger audiences have opened up to us and become involved: international NGOs and think tanks, national human rights commissions and United Nations bodies.  The program and its coordinators have become a well-used tool for the international media and for human rights education programs. All this helps pave the way for radical reforms to improve, protect and to promote human rights in the region.