--- Begin Message ------ Begin Message ---Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh MinoritiesP.O. Box 5493 Santa Clara, CA 95056 USA http://www.hrcbm.org http://www.hrtribune.com Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Ph: 212-592-3627 Fax: 212-202-6251 Saturday, November 15, 2003 HRCBM/Bang/UA_11_15_03/Proection_2003 Bangladesh: Grave Concern on Harkat-E-Islam Al-Jihad�s Ultimatum �Convert to Islam in 7-Days or Face Death�, Brutal Killing, Abduction, Gang Rape, Eviction and Attack on Temples. We Appeal: Uphold Human Rights, Protect life and Properties of Religious Minorities and Indigenous People, Guarantee Life and Freedom- Bring the Criminals to Justice. 1.0. INTRODUCTION We express our anguish for the ongoing violence, brutality, killing, gang rape, land grabbing and gross violation of human rights; and express our grave concern for life and safety of religious minorities of Bangladesh. We urge upon the governments of the civilized countries of the world to exert their good offices so the Government of Bangladesh upholds human rights, and guarantees freedom and justice for all her citizens. Since Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)- Jamat-E-Islam led coalition government of Prime Minister Khaleda Zia came to power in October 2001, inhuman violence has been unleashed against the freedom loving people of Bangladesh, especially against religious and ethnic minorities and indigenous people- the Hindus, Budhists, Christians and people of tribal origin. The silent pogrom of minorities is going on unabated. The following is a glimpse of violence perpetrated against the religious minorities and indigenous people of Bangladesh including ultimatum by fundamentalist Harkat-E-Islam for conversion to Islam or face death, killing, abduction, gang rape, brutal atrocities, forced Ziziya (minority protection) tax, land-grabbing, eviction, attack on temples, etc., over the last four weeks that have been reported. It is to be pointed out that majority of brutality and violence goes unreported for fear of life. This Urgent Action Appeal urges the Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and all democratic governments and freedom loving people of the world to help save the religious minorities and indigenous people�s communities, the most harmless and hapless citizens of Bangladesh, from the perils of ongoing silent genocide. 2.0. GLIPMSES OF VIOLENCE AND HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES SINCE 15 OCTOBER 2003 2.1. Harkat-E-Islam Al-Jihad�s Ultimatum to religious minority businessmen and Awami League leaders: �Convert to Islam in Seven Days or Face Death� (The Daily Sangbad (a National Bengali Daily News Paper published from Dhaka), 3 November 2003) Sangbad Correspondent, Manikganj, Bangladesh: Harkat-E-Islam Al-Jihad has issued an ultimatum to religious minority businessmen and Awami League leaders to convert to Islam with in seven days of receiving the letter. It has been stated in the letter that family members will be attacked and houses burnt if they do not follow this order. Osman bin-Abdullah Al Jihadi, member of South-East Asia Harkatul-E-Islam Al-Jihad Sub Committee, signed the letter and the signature is in Arabic. The letter sent to Rajat Shubhra Ghosh was postmarked 31 October 2003, Khilgaon Post Office, Dhaka. The letter was sent to Rajat Shubhra Ghosh, care of Rabindra Ghosh (Rajat�s father), using his nickname, �Gop Babu�. It appears from this that some local people are involved with this organization. The letter is written on Harkat-E-Islam Al-Jihad�s letterhead with picture of two swords on the left, and pictures of a mosque and moon in the middle. Document number is: 2/ES/G/ASIA 029. The date is hand written, 2 Ramjan 1424 Hijri (Arabic year). Besides this, the whole letter is composed with a computer. The letter started with, �listen the Kafirs (non-believers), Jews and the Infidels, you are living in a Muslim country like Bangladesh and sending assets to a neighboring Infidel country�. We have formed South-East Asia Harkat-E-Islam Al-Jihad to annihilate people like you by the order of the Muslim Supreme Command. Our Jihad will continue until total victory is achieved. Our main objective of the Jihad is to exterminate you from the soil of this country. In addition to Rajat Shubhra, the same letter has been sent to Dipak Ghosh and some other minority leaders by mail, which reached Manikganj yesterday (2 November 2003). 2.2. Ten members of a minority Hindu family stabbed on Broad Daylight for resisting abduction of a 18-year old girl in Brahmanbaria (The Vorer Kagaj, 14 November 2003) Eastern Regional Correspondent: It is reported in The Vorer Kagaj, a national daily newspaper in Bangladesh, on 14 November 2003, that 10-people of a family have been brutally stabbed and wounded on broad daylight by one Wasim Hossain (22) and his armed cadres of 10-12 miscreants, when they resisted the abduction of a 18-year old Hindu girl. The mother of the girl, Sabita Rani Mallick, father, Swapan Kumar Mallick and a one relative are admitted to Brahmanbaria Sadar Hospital. Eyewitness and the police reported that on Thursday, 13 November 2003, at about 7:30 AM (Bangladesh local time) Wasim Hossain (22), son of Nabi Hossain of Singerbil village, Brahmanbaria Upazila (Sub district) together with 10 to 12 armed miscreants attacked the home of Swapan Kumar Mallick of the same village and tried to abduct his 18-year old daughter. However, the father, Swapan Kumar Mallick and his relatives resisted the heinous attack. The miscreants went wild and stabbed 10 people of the same family one after another. Hearing the utter helpless cry of the relatives of the unfortunate girl, neighbors together chased the miscreants and caught the leader of the gang, Wasim but the rest of the goons absconded. Wasim was then handed over to the police. The helpless religious minorities demand justice and protection of their life, freedom and dignity. 2.3. Seven members of a Hindu family abducted and 2-Acres of land grabbed in Banaripara, Barisal (The Daily Sangbad, 14 November 2003) Barisal correspondent: Reported that Abed Ali of Banaripara, Barisal, with the help of cadres of the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) declared curfew and abducted members of a minority Hindu family in broad day light and occupied the home and 2-acres of land of the family. Neither the police have not arrested anyone nor the people of the area dare to talk about the situation for fear of death. Head of the family, Sushil Kumar Sheel, together with his wife Bakul Rani, son Subhash, daughter-in-law, Sudha Rani and three grand children-Mukta, Mangla and Sudam, were abducted. The fate of these people is not yet known. The life and properties of the minorities must be protected and the criminals must the prosecuted and punished. 2.4. Gang rape, plucking of both eyes and killing of Radha Rani Saha of Thakurgaon (HRCBM-Dhaka, 12 November 2003) HRCBM-Dhaka and Hindu, Buddhist and Christian Unity Council of Bangladesh reported (12 November 2003) that on 09 November 2003 Rafiqul Islam, Yunus Ali and Naziruddin of Chilarong Telipara village, Thakurgaon, gang-raped Radha Rani Saha (mother of four children), wife of Malin Chandra Saha of the same village. The miscreants then plucked both of her eyes and brutally killed her. A case has been filed with the police but nobody has been arrested yet. 2.5. Minority-Tribal girl is gang raped by criminal as well as by two police constables at Bagmara, Bangladesh (The Daily Sonali Sangbad, 18 October 2003) The Daily Sonali Sangbad Correspondent: Babita Rani Boby (18) (Belonging to Indigenous Harijan community) daughter of late Surendra Nath Baimali of Hatgangpara, Bagmara P.S. District Rajshahi was gang-raped by Jalaluddin, Raisuddin, Raja and also two Police constables of Hatgangpara Police Camp at Bagmara P.S. Rajshahi on 16th October, 2003. 2.6. Vandals raid temple, set Lord Shiva's image on fire (The Daily Star, Friday, 24 October 2003) The Daily Star Correspondent, Manikganj: Unidentified vandals attacked a temple and set fire to the image of Shiva in Manikganj town in the early hours of yesterday. Sources said the gang entered the temple in Dassara Kalikhola area of the town at about 3:30am, set the image afire and left the spot. The image was partially damaged before the neighbours rushed to the temple and extinguished the blaze. Protesting the sacrilege, Manikganj District Puja Udjapan (celebration) Committee took out a procession in town at about 11:00am and held a rally in front of Manikganj Press Club. The rally was addressed by Dolan Goswami, secretary of the committee, Rajat Shubhra Gosh, Gopal Shaha, Shushanta Mitra and Mohan. The speakers condemned the attack on the temple and demanded punishment of the guilty. 2.7. Temple desecrated and Shitala Idol beheaded in Gournadi, Barisal (The Daily Sangbad, 14 November 2003) Gournadi Correspondent: Miscreants have demolished the Idol in side the Shitala Temple, a symbol of hundred years of heritage and tradition of the Thikadar family of the village Chandshi, in the sub district of Gournadi. The priest, Mr. Haripada Thakur, told the reporter that he found the broken and beheaded Idol in Thursday morning (13 November 2003) when he entered the temple for daily prayer services. 2.8. A destitute minority woman is unlawfully evicted from her own homestead, Government officials involved Ms. Kamala Rani Sarkar (60) an widow, wife of late Gopal Sarkar of 41, D.N.Road, Nandipara, within Fatullah Police station, Dist. Narayanganj was evicted to-day (28th October, 2003) unlawfully with the unholy alliance of dishonest court and Bank officials. Valuable belongings of the widow have been looted, houses vandalized, and deity desecrated by some land grabbers namely 1) Ashraf Hossain son of late Gafur Meah, 2) Babu Meah 3) Selim Meah and many others at Narayanganj. For details review: Investigative Report by HRCBM-Dhaka Chapter, Bangladesh. (Visit: http://www.hrcbm.org/NEWLOOK/kamala_10_282003.html). 2.9. Torture of Gyanendranath Bain and demand of Ziziya tax (The Daily Jugantor, 12 November 2003) Gopalganj Correspondent: On Monday (10 November 2003) night Salam Sheik demanded Tk. 25,000 from Gyanendranath Bain (60) a local bus-stand businessman of Pachuria, Gopalganj. At the refusal to pay the ziziya tax, Salam severely beat Gyanendranath and snatch Tk. 5,000, and threatened that if he does not pay the rest of the demand within 7-days, he (Salam) will kill Gyanendranath. Besides, Salam Sheik is reported to be involved in illegal narcotic trades and there are several criminal cases against him pending in the court. People of Pachuria, Gopalganj (Wards 7, 8 and 9) brought out a silent protest march and submitted a memorandum to the district commissioner demanding apprehension of Salam and justice. 3.0. URGENT ACTION DEMANDED The Human Right Congress for Bangladesh Minorities (HRCBM) is deeply shocked and anguished at the continuation of violence and gross abuse of human rights perpetrated against the minority communities in Bangladesh and inaction of the government and law enforcement authorities. In many instances, the police are also involved with the criminals in committing brutality. We express our grave concern about the safety and security of the Hindu, Buddhist, Christian and indigenous people�s communities in Bangladesh. Honorable Prime Minister, Begum Khaleda Zia, the perpetrators are anti-Bangladesh, anti-peace and destructive forces who are still allowed to commit these barbaric acts of crime against the most nonviolent, peace-loving and helpless human beings belonging to the minority and tribal communities of Bangladesh. These hateful creatures in human forms must be caught, punished and eliminated from the society so that nobody ever dares to commit violence again. These and innumerable incidents of brutality and heinous crimes continue to be perpetrated since the General Election of October 1, 2001; rarely, if any of these criminals are apprehended and verdict announced by the court of justice, the verdicts have never been implemented, even in the face of national uproar for justice and prosecution of the criminals. The minorities are still crying for justice and punishment of the criminals of these barbaric acts of violence perpetrated against them. Honorable Prime Minister, The government of Bangladesh and The Law Enforcement Authority must wake up and face the stern reality with resilience and determination and protect all law abiding citizens of the country. We urge the Prime Minister of the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh to instruct the law enforcement authorities to: Protect the minority businessmen and leaders Manikganj from forced conversion to Islam in the face of death threat, Provide immediate protection to the Mallick family of Brahmanbaria and bring the criminals to justice, Bring the criminals of violence against women and children to justice, Arrest the perpetrators who demolished Lord Shiva Temple of Manikganj, bring them to justice, and reconstruct the temple. Guarantee freedom of speech and religious practices. Secure the lives of Sheel family members of Banaripara, Barisal and return the land-grabbed and illegally occupied by miscreants with the help of local BNP-cadres Recover all unlawful occupation of land, and Rehabilitate all families displaced with full compensation all over the country. We demand that: -The laws of the land and those of a free democratic society must be enforced, -Secularism and communal harmony must be restored, -Basic human rights of all citizens enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights are upheld, -Security of life and property of the minority communities in Bangladesh are guaranteed, -The perpetrators are prosecuted and given exemplary punishments, and that -The minorities must be protected. APPEAL TO: Honorable Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia Office of the Prime Minister Gano Bhaban Sher-e Bangla Nagar Dhaka Bangladesh Telgrams: Prime Minister Zia, Dhaka Bangladesh Fax: 88028113243 Salutation: Dear Prime Minister or Hon�ble Prime Minister. Mr. Shahidul Haque Inspector General of Police Police Headquarter Fulbaria, Dhaka, Bangladesh Telegrams: Inspector-General Chowdhury Fulbaria, Dhaka, Bangladesh Fax: 880-2-956-3362; 880-2-956-3363 Salutation: Dear Sir PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY: You may please fax or mail your appeal. Contact us at [EMAIL PROTECTED] for any question and further details. NB: This Urgent Action Appeal has been sent the UN Secretary General, US State Department, US Ambassador to Bangladesh, Bangladesh Ambassador to the US, Amnesty International, IMF, World Bank, Paris Consortium, International Human Rights Organizations, world leaders and governments of more than 120 countries. http://www.hrcmb.org -------------------------------------------------------- IMPORTANT ADDRESSES: Post message: This is an announcement only list To Subscribe: Send mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] from the address you want to use to receive the e-mail. 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Why has SAPAC ignored atrocities against Hindus and other minorities in Muslim countries?
- RE: Urgent Action called: Bangladesh: Grave Concern on Viola... Niraj4570
