Odhikar defends civil, political, social, economic and cultural rights of the people and as part of its mission, observes reports and analyses the human rights situation of Bangladesh. Odhikar documents and records violations of human rights and receives information from its network of human rights defenders as well as from monitoring  media reports in twelve national daily newspapers. Odhikar conducts detailed fact-finding investigations where serious violations occur.
In line with this campaign, an account of the human rights situation of Bangladesh covering the month of April 2011 is presented below:  

1. On March 23, 2011, Limon Hossain (16), son of a day-labourer Tofazzal Hossain of Saturia village under Rajapur Upazila in Jhalokathi district, and a HSC examinee of Kathalia PGS Polytechnic College, was returning home with grazing cattle when a team of RAB-8  led by Deputy Assistant Director (DAD) Mohammad Lutfar Rahman, caught him in front of local resident Shahid Zomaddar’s house, and inquired about his identity. Limon replied that he was a student. RAB members then shot his left leg. RAB members kept wounded Limon without medical aid for about two/three hours at the spot. Later he was admitted to the Barisal Medical College Hospital and shifted to the Orthopedic Hospital at Dhaka when his condition deteriorated. Limon’s left leg had to be amputated at the Orthpedic Hospital.
2. Limon’s father Tofazzol Hossain and mother Henowara Begum alleged that they were threatened with death in ‘crossfire’ by RAB if they pressed charges or publicised the incident. They said, “People who spoke with journalists in favour of our son after the incident, had been threatened by RAB.”
3. On April 10, 2011, Limon’s mother Henowara Begum filed a case with the Senior Judicial Magisrate’s Court at Jhalokathi, accusing 12 persons in total, including the DAD Lutfar Rahman and five other members of RAB-8 unit and against six unknown people. Judge Nushrat Jahan ordered the office-in-charge of Rajapur Police Station to record the complaint as a case. On April 26, 2011, 16 days after of the Court order, police recorded the case which was numbered 14. Hemayet Uddin Sumon, elder brother of Limon, in a press conference organised at the Dhaka Reporters Unity, on April 23, 2011, said, “RAB is still allegedly trying to prove Limon a criminal. His family and the people who gave witness statements to the investigation committee have been intimidated by top level RAB sources.”     
4. On April 12, 2011, the Director General of RAB, Mokhlesur Rahman, in a press briefing, said, “Limon may be a victim of the shootout between RAB and the criminals, as he received bullet injuries in the leg. He is a young boy. He was not a criminal.”
5. Meanwhile, police ‘secretly’ submitted a charge sheet against Limon showing him as an associate of alleged criminal Mizan-Morshed and since he was a child, to prosecute him in Juvenile Court. On April 24, 2011 Sub-Inspector Ariful Islam of Rajapur Police Station, investigating officer of the case filed by RAB, submitted a charge sheet before the Court ‘secretly’.
6. On April 28, 2011, Home Minister Sahara Khatun said, “The government has nothing to do with the Limon case at this stage, as it is now for the court to decide the matter”. She further added that “The police have submitted a charge sheet against him after an investigation.”
7. The statement of the Home Minister also validates the activity of RAB. However, the Home Minister was silent as to why the police of the Rajapur Police Station recorded the case filed by Limon’s mother after 16 days, despite the Court order, and ‘secretly’ submitted a charge sheet through a Sub Inspector of the same police station against Limon to the court.
8. Odhikar is concerned that the statement of the Home Minister will act as the hindrance against the rule of law.     

Death in police custody

1. On April 21, 2011 a medicine seller named Moniruzzaman Rubel (28) died in police custody at Tangail. Moniruzzaman Rubel, son of Delowar Hossain of Beparipara at Tangail along with his friend Shariful Islam were arrested on April 20, 2011 by Sub Inspector Mosharaf Hossain and taken to Tangail Police Station. Elder brother of Rubel, Iqbal Hossain Russel, alleged that Rubel and Shariful were tortured in police custody and Rubel died as a result. On April 22, 2011, a murder case had been filed with Tangail Police Station by the deceased’s bother Iqbal Hossain Russel, accusing Sub Inspector Mosharaf Hossain and Assistant Sub-Inspector Shahjahan. The accused have been arrested under this case.
2. On April 23, 2011, Shafiqul Islam Raja (25), an under trial prisoner of the Dhaka Central Jail, died in Dhaka Medical College Hospital. The family of Raja alleged that he was tortured by police after being taken into remand in Sutrapur Police Station in the capital, Dhaka.

Extra-judicial killings continue

1. The members of law enforcement agencies have been killing people including suspicious ‘criminals’ without due process of law, despite repeated assurances of the government to stop extrajudicial killings. On April 4, 2011, at around 2.30 am, Mohammad Shafiqul Islam (45), former Chairman of Ziarkandi Union Parishad under Comilla district, was shot dead by members of the Crime Prevention Company (CPC)-1 of RAB-11. The family of the deceased alleged that he was shot dead by RAB at Chhoto Karamerchor Dakshinpara village under Araihazar Upazila in Narayanganj after being picked up from Demra in the capital, Dhaka.     
2. On April 9, 2011, the Law Minister Barrister Shafiq Ahmed told the daily Amader Shomoy that “It can not be termed as ‘extrajudicial’ killing, if anyone kills anybody for self-defense.”     
3. The law enforcement agencies have taken it as a policy to kill suspicious people extra-judicially and out of legal purview. Odhikar believes that the statements made by high-up Government official have encouraged them even more.
4. Odhikar demands the Government bring the perpetrators of extra-judicial killings before court through impartial investigations by creating an independent commission.      
5. During the month of April 2011, 05 people were killed extra-judicially. It has been further alleged that of these people, 02 were killed by RAB, 03 by Police. In addition to this, 03 passed away while they were in custody of the law enforcement agencies.

Crossfire/encounter/gun fight:

1. Among the extra-judicial killings, 03 persons were killed in ‘crossfire/encounters/gun fights’. Of these deaths, 02 were killed in the hands of RAB and 01 by police.

Death due to torture:

1. Of the deceased, 02 were allegedly tortured to death by police during April 2011.

1. Of the 05 deceased, 01 was from Purbo Banglar Communist Party (Red Flag), 01 was from Purbo Banglar Communist Party (Jonojuddho), 01 was a former Chairman of the Ziarkandi Union Parishad, 01 was a medicine trader and another one was a employee of a cloth store.

Death in jail custody

1. In the month of April 2011, 07 persons reportedly died in jail and police custody.

Public Lynching

1. In the month of April 2011, 18 people were allegedly killed by mob beating.

Torture on a child at the Khulna Police Station

1. On April 12, 2011, a 9-year-old boy Belal was allegedly tortured in the room of the Officer-in-Charge in Khulna Sadar Police Station. Belal told Odhikar that he had taken a piece of iron rod secretly from a mill factory to buy bread. But people caught him and handed him over to police. He was blindfolded by police and his hands and legs were tied in chains. Then, he was given electric shocks to his hands.        
2. Odhikar condemns and expresses deep concern regarding torture on a child. Torture on a child is a grave violation of human rights. When the State cannot provide food to starving children it has no moral right even to detain them. Odhikar demands exemplary punishment of the perpetrators for this crime.    

BSF killings at border continues

1. Indian Border Security Force (BSF) had promised, after the killing of a 15-year- old girl, Felani at Anantapur border in Kurigram, that the BSF would not kill anyone at the border areas. BSF also assured that they would use rubber bullets during patrol duty at the border. Despite this assurance, BSF continues torture and killing at the border. On April 18, 2011, a 17-year -old boy Rekatul Islam, son of Mansur Ali, was shot dead by the BSF at Gazipur border under Satkhira district.
2. According to information gathered by Odhikar, during April 2011, along the India Bangladesh border, the BSF reportedly shot dead 05 Bangladeshis, while 10 Bangladeshis were shot and injured and 02 were allegedly tortured.         

Hartal

1. A dawn to dusk Hartal called by the Islami Ain Bastobaon Committee in protest of the National Women Development Policy, was observed on April 4, 2011 with clashes, arrests and baton charges by the police. At least 100 people, including policemen were wounded during hartal clashes and chases between the police and supporters of the hartal across the country. Furthermore, nearly 300 people have been arrested by police across the country. The supporters of the hartal were involved in vandalising vehicles, arson and blocking roads in different parts of the country including Dhaka. A clash occurred with police when an organisation named ‘Hefazat Islam’ brought out a procession in favour of the hartal in Jessore a day before the hartal. Hossain Ahmed, a student of class five of Jamia Imdadia Madaninagar Madrassa, was shot dead by police at Monirampur under Jessore district on the day of the hartal.
2. Odhikar expresses it deep concern over the incident of the killing of a student of class five and vandalizing vehicles and damaging property by the supporters of the hartal on the hartal day.

Attack on political meeting  

1. On April 8, 2011 about 50 BNP activists were injured when police and supporters of the Awami League attacked a conference organised by Shakta Union unit BNP and its alliance organisations at Keraniganj, Dhaka.
2. Odhikar urges the Government to refrain from shrinking the space and culture of democratic rights.
3. Odhikar believes that any citizen of the State has the right to form associations or organisations and carry out activities through peaceful means. Article 38 and 39 of the Constitution also guarantees the rights of the citizens to organise meetings and peaceful processions.

Political violence continues

1. On April 18, 2011 one person died and 25 persons, including police were injured in a clash between factions of Awami League in Jhinaidah, breaking section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. A clash occurred over submitting tender bids between supporters of the Shailkupa Municipality Mayor and Awami League President Kazi Ashraful Azim; and the supporters of Shailkupa Upazila Awami League Publicity Secretary Toiyabur Rahman Khan and Awami League leader Arif Reza Munnu. Local administration imposed section 144 in order to prevent a clash. Supporters of the two groups engaged in an altercation with local made weapons, violating section 144, which left dead Abdur Rashid (40), son of Ishaq Mandol of Shailkupa.
2. At least 75 people were injured in a clash between two factions of the Awami League backed Chhatra League in Haji Mohammad Mohsin Hall at Dhaka University on April 26, 2011. The clash took place between supporters of Awami League backed Chhatra League’s Mohsin Hall unit President Mohammad Ali and supporters of the hall unit Organising Secretary Mohiuddin Mahi, over establishing supremacy in the hall . Nearly 10 rounds of bullets had been fired and furniture in 20 rooms at the residential hall were vandalised during the violence.      
3. In the month of April 2011, according to information gathered by Odhikar, 08 persons were killed and 1229 injured in political violence. 26 incidents of internal violence in the Awami League and 09 in the BNP were also recorded during this period. In addition to this, 04 persons were killed and 399 people were injured in Awami League internal conflicts while 110 persons were injured in BNP internal conflicts.

1. On April 17, 2011, a clash occurred between the people belonging to ethnic minority communities and Bengali settlers over a land related dispute at Guimara area under Ramgarh Upazila in Khagrachhori. Three Benagli settlers, named Ayub Ali, Mohammad Noab Ali and Sunil Chandra Sarkar died and 10 people were injured during the violence. It was learnt that Abdul Kashem of Boro Pilak area along with 8/9 labourers went to excavate soil from a disputed hillock at Shonkholapara. At that time, some members of the ethnic minority community attacked them. Soon after this, news spread around the area and local Bengalis united and organised a counter-attack on the local ethnic minority people, which resulted in a clash between the two groups. It was alleged that the attackers set fire to 30 houses of ethnic minority people at Shonkhola and Reo Murangpara areas and incidents of looting also occurred during the conflict.
2. Odhikar observes that conflicts erupt in the Chittagong Hill Tracks due to the State’s discrimination and lack of political will to settle the land related to these disputes.  It is the responsibility of the State to protect the fundamental rights of all the people along with protecting their land rights and all that rightfully belongs to them. Odhikar expresses concern over the conflicts in the CHT area and the incidents of bloodshed, arson and looting between Bengalis and the people belonging to ethnic minority communities. Odhikar demands that the government form a judicial probe committee to investigate all these incidents impartially. 
3. Odhikar believes that all land related disputes must be resolved by identifying all illegally acquired land through a Land Commission. Odhikar also believes that the issue regarding the rights of the ethnic minority people is related to the ownership of land and the creation of a democratic Constitution. The people belonging to ethnic minority communities are losing control over their property since their rights of possessing inherited lands are not recognised as historically and traditionally owned by a community in the Bangladesh Constitution. In the absence of major democratic principles such as a right to self-determination and community property rights, in the Bangladesh Constitution, there is no scope for the ventilation of grievances of the ethnic minority population. Furthermore, the ‘Peace Accord’ has been drafted without addressing these key issues. Therefore, despite the signing of the Peace Accord, enmity and violence prevails in the residential localities of the ethnic minority community people and the overall situation has taken a turn for the worse.
4. Odhikar urges the government to take immediate action in order to ensure human rights and peace for the Bangali and ethnic minority communities in the CHT, failing which, the situation might become unstable.   

1. On April 5, 2011, supporters of local Awami League parliamentarian Zahid Malek Swapon attacked a Hindu temple and ransacked their houses at Ukiara Bazar under Manikganj district. The attackers ransacked the Durga temple and allegedly set fire to four houses and a shop belonging to the religious minority community. Hearing this, Manikganj representative of private TV channel Bangla Vision and the daily Shomokal, Biplob Chokroborty; and private channel ATN Bangla representative Abul Kalam Azad rushed to the spot. Awami League activists attacked and wounded them allegedly under the instructions of Manikganj District Awami League Religious Affairs Secretary Israfil Hossain. The attackers also snatched away their cell phones and cameras.
2.  On April 29, 2011 assailants attacked and committed brutal physical harm on F M Abdur Razzak (45) a former secretary of the Paikgachha Press Club in Khulna and the Editor of the fortnightly Gono Michhil, who is also a volunteer of the Asian Human Rights Commission, and his brother Badiur Rahman (22), a shrimp farmer at Paikgachha, over a land dispute at Godaipur of Paikgachha in Khunla. The victims were admitted to the Paikgachha Health Complex, Khulna Medical College Hospital and Dhaka Medical College Hospital. When their condition deteriorated, they were shifted to the Trauma Centre at Dhaka on April 30, 2011.
3. According to Razzak some 30 people led by Moklesur Rahman Kajal, brother of one major Mustafizur Rahman of the Bogra cantonment, had attacked them near the Paikgachha bus stand at about 10.00 pm on April 29 over a dispute regarding 21 decimals of land.
4. Odhikar observes that journalists and human rights defenders, who raise voices against the injustices perpetrated by powerful sectors of the society, come under frequent attack. Odhikar demands proper treatment of the victims, arrest of the perpetrators and exemplary punishment for such crime.    
5. In April 2011, 09 journalists were reportedly injured, and 03 journalists assaulted.

Odhikar welcomes the ratification of the Convention on Migrant Workers

1. In order to protect the rights of migrant workers and their families, Bangladesh has ratified the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, which was adopted by the General Assembly in 1990. On April 11, 2011, the Cabinet took a decision to ratify the convention. It is to be mentioned that Bangladesh signed the Convention in 1998.
2. The Government of Bangladesh ratified this Convention as a result of prolonged demands by the organisations dealing with human rights and the protection of migrant workers rights.
3. Odhikar welcomes the decision for ratification and also urges the Government take necessary measures to finalise formal ratification of the Convention, in order to bring benefits to Bangladeshi migrant workers.

May Day and Labour’s Rights

1. 1st May is International Labour Day. In light of this historic day, Odhikar urges the government and the factory owners to respect laws, tripartite agreements and International Conventions in protecting the rights of the factory workers. Odhikar demands that the legitimate payments to the workers must be paid and safety and security of the workers must be ensured.

Verdict of the former BDR members under mutiny cases

1. The verdict of the BDR mutiny at the 23 Rifles Battalion at Goalkhali in Khulna was given on April 2, 2011. Colonel Mohammad Ahiya Azam Khan, judge of Special Court-12 declared the judgement by accusing 59 BDR jawans. In the verdict, 59 former BDR jawans were sentenced to different terms of imprisonment with fine.
2. On April 26, 2011, the judgement of the BDR mutiny at Khulna BDR Sector Headquarters was delivered. Colonel Mohammad Ahiya Azam Khan, judge of the Special Court-12 declared the verdict. In the verdict, 27 former BDR jawans were sentenced to different terms of imprisonment with fine.
3. On April 27, 2011, the verdict of the BDR mutiny at the 24 Rifles Battalion in Jessore was by Colonel Mohammad Ahiya Azam Khan, judge of the Special Court-12. In the verdict, 63 former BDR jawans were sentenced to different terms of imprisonment with fine and one BDR jawan was acquitted as his charge could not be proved.
4. It is to be mentioned that the accused BDR members were not entitled to present statements during cross examine the information through their lawyers.

Violence against women
Sexual harassment and stalking:

1. During the month of April 2011, according to information gathered by Odhikar, a total of 56 girls and women were victims of sexual harassment. Among those 56 victims, 02 committed suicide, 07 were injured, 07assaulted, and 02 were the victims of attempted rape. To protest against sexual harassment against women, 01 man was killed and 06 men were injured by the stalkers.

Incidents of rape:

1. In the month of April 2011, a total of 54 women and girls were reportedly raped. Among them, 16 were women and 38 were girls. Of the adults, 05 were killed after being raped and 05 were victims of gang rape and one woman committed suicide after being raped. Out of the 38 child victims, 06 children were killed after being raped and 12 were victims of gang rape.

Dowry-related violence:

1. In April 2011, a total of 25 women were subjected to dowry related violence. Of these women, it has been alleged that 21 women were killed because of dowry, 02 were ill-treated in various other ways for dowry demands and 02 women committed suicide. During this period, 03 children became victims of dowry related violence along with their mothers. Among them one girl child was killed and one was injured by their father and a mother committed suicide with her son.

Acid violence:

1. During the month of April 2011, it was reported that 07 persons were victimised due to acid violence. Of these affected persons, 04 were women, 03 were men.

Recommendations

1. The Government should arrange better treatment and compensation for Limon, who became a victim of RAB shooting. The charge sheet framed secretly against Limon should also be immediately withdrawn. Legal action must be taken against the responsible members of the law enforcement authority, including RAB.   
2. Extra-judicial killings must be stopped. The Government must bring all involved in extra-judicial killings before justice through proper and independent investigations by an independent investigation committee. The investigation report should also be made public. 
3. Action must be taken against police officers who tortured Belal in custody. The Government should take responsibility for his treatment, food and education. Furthermore, the State should create a social safety net for the poor and disadvantaged children.    
4. The issues related to human rights violations and aggression at the Bangladesh border by the Indian BSF should be incorporated in the agenda of discussion between India and Bangladesh. Illegal intrusions into an independent and sovereign State and shooting its citizens are serious violation of human rights and international laws. The Bangladesh Government should take effective measures to stop illegal trespass and killings by the BSF and also ensure the security of those citizens residing at the border areas.
5. The Government should refrain from shrinking the space for the practice of democracy and also abstain from repression on political opponents.
6. Appropriate action must be taken against the perpetrators following a judicial investigation into the incidents of killing and arson attacks in Khagrachhori.
7. The State should ensure the rights of the people belong to religious minority and ethnic minority communities and also ensure the security of their right to life and property.
8. Attacks on journalists should stop and perpetrators brought to justice.
9. The Government should approve Articles 97 and 143 of the ILO Convention in order to protect the rights of migrant workers.     
10. Transparency and accountability in the trials of BDR mutiny cases need to be ensured. Full investigation reports prepared by the Government regarding the BDR massacre must be made public.
11. The Government must take appropriate measures to stop violence against women and the offenders must be brought under the purview of the law to ensure that justice is served. The relevant authorities need to be proactive in providing adequate legal support to the victims. Public awareness regarding the rights of women, prevention of violence against women and children as well as related laws must be incorporated into the primary, secondary and higher secondary school books.

Tel: 88-02-9888587, Fax: 88-02-9886208,
Email: odhikar.bd@gmail.com, odhikar.documentation@gmail.com
Website: www.odhikar.org

Notes:

1. Odhikar seeks to uphold the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of the people.
2. Odhikar documents and records violations of human rights and receives information from its network of human rights defenders and monitors media reports in twelve national daily newspapers.
3. Odhikar conducts detailed fact-finding investigations into some of the most significant violations.
4. Odhikar is consistent in its human rights reporting and is committed to remain so.