Dear Sir Torture and extrajudicial killings in the form of alleged "crossfire killings," were serious problems before the caretaker government came to power, and have continued under its administration :: http://www.hrw.org/reports/2006/bangladesh1206/ Other violations, which stem from emergency rules that undermine basic due process rights, or the large number of arbitrary arrests and detention without proper judicial oversight, are a direct result of the caretaker government's policies. While certain restrictions on some rights during properly declared states of national emergency are permitted under international law, it is far from clear that the measures under the government's emergency law are limited to "the extent strictly required by the exigencies of the situation."
Bangladesh: Protecting Rights as Vital as Ending Corruption Press Release, August 1, 2007 :: http://hrw.org/english/docs/2007/08/01/bangla16556.htm Bangladesh: Release Journalist and Rights Activist Press Release, May 11, 2007 :: http://hrw.org/english/docs/2007/05/11/bangla15906.htm Bangladesh: Elite Force Tortures, Kills Detainees Press Release, December 14, 2006 :: http://hrw.org/english/docs/2006/12/13/bangla14844.htm Judge, Jury, and Executioner: Torture and Extrajudicial Killings by Bangladesh's Elite Security Force Report, December 14, 2006 http://www.hrw.org/doc?t=asia&c=bangla http://sotacit.wordpress.com/2007/10/16/everything-you-need-to-know- about-general-moeen-u-ahmed/ These three, seemingly unrelated issues are converging to make the lives of our citizens miserable. Since this military regime has taken over inflation has been skyrocketing. This has been a direct consequence of the actions and policies of this regime, in particular the arbitrary arrests and the continued state of emergency. Now we have been hit with a natural disaster and people's suffering is multiplying. General Moeen Ahmed has tried to take this opportunity to try to blame the politicians for this suffering. Most businessmen are either fleeing the country or their business has slowed dramatically because their trading partners have. No one knows who will be arrested next. a dozen businessmen have been extorted by military officers. The amounts demanded are staggering even compared to the corruption of the last BNP-Jamaat government; 20, 30 even 50 lakh Takas (US $29,000 to $72,000) per instance. Slowly our fine military is being corrupted again, just as they were during the terms of Generals Zia and Ershad. All it takes is a few rotten apples. Sheikh Hasina is being detained under the Emergency Powers Rule, 2007, not under the criminal code of Bangladesh. There is no due process under the emergency powers. Right to bail and right to appeal are denied and the detention can be extended indefinitely even without a trial. Trials are conducted by special tribunals in camera (only the judge is present, there is no jury and the proceedings are closed to outside scrutiny) and summarily (normal procedures such as conducting discovery are not allowed.) This is a violation of international human rights laws, in particular Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.They are just following Minus-2 plan. Law Advisor Mainul Hossain claimed that the people will be responsible if this government fails. The fact is this government has already failed. They should either hold elections immediately or step aside and hand over power to a constitutional caretaker headed by a retired Supreme Court Justice. Bangladesh cannot afford this regime any longer. Thanking you Habib http://wwwjoybangla.blogspot.com/2007/12/we-want-fair-election-in- 2008.html wwwjoybangla.blogspot.com
