HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT: Monthly Human Rights Report (Jan 2010) by GHRD

Source: http://www.ghrd.org/pagina.asp?ID=3710
Global Human Rights Defence (GHRD) Monthly Human Rights Report Bangladesh 1st - 31st January 2010
Publishing date: 1st February 2010
Introduction
Commencing in 2010, GHRD publishes monthly human rights reports, featuring our current cases, urgent appeals, and activities in Bangladesh but also highlighting incidents and news relating to minorities reported in media during the month. GHRD collaborates with local organisations and observers who conducts media monitoring, fact finding and provides legal assistance to minorities in Bangladesh. In January, several incidents of minority repression was reported, especially attacks and violence targeting Dalits and indigenous people, who live in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
Breaking News!
The National Human Rights Commission orders investigation in harassment case against GHRD observer Rabindra Ghosh The Bangladesh National Human Rights Commission issued an order on January 20, 2010 regarding the case of harassment of Adv. Rabindra Ghosh. The order stated that the allegation received from the Global Human Rights Defence and Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights (BIHR) should be investigated by an Additional Inspector General of Police (Ad). It also requested the Inspector General of Police (IGP), to submit a report by February 28, 2010 regarding the action taken. Rabindra Ghosh was physically assaulted and threatened by the Police during an investigation on 10th January. This incident is one of many that has taken place over the years, were Mr. Ghosh has been exposed to threats and assault as a result of his work. ‘The recent order may create a sense of responsibility amongst police officers in general in the future in dealing with the human rights defenders’, says Rabindra Ghosh.
Legal assistance
The abduction of a 12 year old Hindu girl GHRD continued to pursue the case of a 12 year old Hindu girl who was abducted on the 18th December 2009. The case is under the section of Women and Children Repression Act. According to the parents, the perpetrators are threatening them not to pursue with the case. The girl is still missing.
Partners Reports
A mentally disabled Dalit man burned by villagers On 3rd January, a mentally disabled Dalit man was physically assaulted and burned in Monirampur Upazilla District. The perpetrators allegedly accused him for stealing palm juice from their garden. Various objects like bottles and sticks, which they set alight to burn the man all over his body. The man was taken to a village doctor who advised the victim’s family to take him to a general hospital. However, the family were afraid to take
this advice due to threats from the Perpetrators. Parittran picked the victim up later that night, and admitted him to the Monirampur Upazilla Government Health Complex. Parittran have been told by the local administration that they will handle all the costs for the victim’s medical treatment. However, only one out of the four perpetrators has been arrested. Parittran, 9th January 2010
Dalit leaders urge for the immediate arrest of the murderer of a Dalit man On the 16th January a 28 year old Dalit man was beaten to death. GHRD supported Parittran in an action raising awareness to his murder. Leaders from the Jhenaidah Dalit Parishad, a group working for the rights of Dalits in Bangladesh urged for the immediate action to arrest the perpetrators during a press conference on the 28th January 2010.
The acting president of Jhenaidah Dalit Parishad briefed the press and said that if the local police did not arrest the killer within seven days, they will protest. Thousands of people from the Dalit community formed a human chain and wore black bandanas as part of the protest. Dalit leaders also submitted a memorandum to the District Commissioner of Jhenaidah.
A 13 year old Jumma girl raped by a local policeman On 19th January, a 13 year old Jumma girl was allegedly raped in a hotel room by the Assistant Sub Inspector of the local police station and the hotel manager. On the day of the incident, the Sub Inspector had invited the girl to join him for a cup of tea at the hotel. However, the girl was taken to a hotel room and raped by the Sub Inspector and the hotel manager. She was first found by a group of human rights activist who heard about the incident.
When the women later tried to file a case against the two perpetrators the police refused to register any complaints against the Sub Inspector. But due to pressure from women rights activists and the media, a case has now been started against three perpetrators, including the Sub Inspector and the hotel manager. It is also reported that the Sub Inspector has been suspended from his position. Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights (BIHR), 25th January 2010
Indigenous human rights defender and his wife attacked On 22nd January, a human rights defender and his wife were attacked as they returned home after attending a meeting at Ranikhnong Catholic Mission, in Netrokona District. The man is very active in Indigenous Rights Nationally and internationally he is also the Secretary General of the Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples Forum. The attack is suspected to be set up by a political leader after the indigenous man accused him of corruption. One of the perpetrators was arrested on 24th January, but allegedly the political leader is trying to influence the local authorities to release him from custody. Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights (BIHR), 24th January 201
Urgent Appeals
Bangladesh: Ensure the protection of human rights defender Mr.Rabindra Ghosh [UA-BA-13.01.2010]
Bangladesh: A 28 year old Dalit man dies after being physically assaulted [UA-BA-27.01.2010]
Media and NGO Reports
This month several incidents of minority repression have been reported, especially attacks and violence targeting indigenous people, who live in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. A Jumma boy physically assaulted by Bengali settlers A 12 year old Jumma boy was injured on 2nd January, in Rangmati District. The boy and his father went to the jungle to collect bamboos when approximately five to six Bengali settlers attacked them, by throwing sharp objects at them. One of the objects hit the boy which left him with a deep wound on his leg. He was taken to the hospital on 3rd January. A case has begun at the Naniarchar Police Station, but so far none of the perpetrators have been arrested. Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS) 3rd January 2010 An indigenous leader shot by UPDF armed forces A leader of the Parbatya Chattagram Jana Sanghati Samiti (PCJSS), a political organisation working for the rights of indigenous people in Chittagong Hill Tracts, was shot on 2nd January, in Rangmati District. The man had just left his home when he was stopped by armed forces of United People’s Democratic Front (UPDF), a political party based in Chittagong Hill Tracts. There was a confrontation between the man and the forces which resulted in the man being shot in the hand. After the incident the municipal branch of PCJSS in Rangmati town held a protest meeting. Speakers demanded the arrest of the perpetrators. They also expressed their concern regarding the local administrations passive role to prevent the continuing criminal activities, carried out by the UPDF forces. They also demanded the immediate implementation of the CHT Accord. Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS) 3rd January 2010 Bengali settlers occupy the land of Jumma villagers Since 17th January 2010, Bengali settlers with the help of the army have been occupying lands of Jumma villagers, in the Sajek area of Rangamati District. So far the Bengali settlers have build several houses on their premises. Incidents of physical attacks have also occurred. Allegedly, on 21st January, two Jumma youths were taken to the office of the security personnel of the army, where they were assaulted. That same day security personnel also beat up Jumma villagers, including women at the market. Eight people were injured. This alleged incident was denied by one of the security personnel of the Khagrachhari Brigade. Two other attacks allegedly took place on 24th January. In the first incident, Bengali settlers attacked few Jumma people at the Rangmati District, leaving four people injured. During another incident three students and one teacher were injured after Bengali settlers attacked a hostel where a high school class had been staying. The Minister for the CHT Affairs Ministry visited the Baghaichari area, but according to the local villagers no actions have been taken thus far to prevent or improve the ongoing situation. Parbatya Chattagram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS), 22nd January 2010 The Daily Star, 23rd January 2010 Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights, 24th January 2010
The local organisation Odhikar has released their Human Rights Monitoring Report from January. Read the full report here
GHRD Dhaka conducts fact finding investigations and provides legal assistance to minority victims of human rights violations in Bangladesh. GHRD Dhaka, Observer Advocate Rabindra Ghosh 3/2 Purana Paltan – Purana Paltan P.S, Dhaka-1000 Telephone : + 0711172468 (BANGLADESH) In addition GHRD Dhaka, collaborates with Parittran (Dalit Rights), Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights, Bangladesh Rehabilitation Centre for Trauma Victims and Justice foundation.