BANGLADESH: Secret Killings – Asian HR body call for probe

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AHRC-FST-002-2012
January 16, 2012

A Statement from the Daily Star forwarded by the Asian Human Rights Commission

BANGLADESH: Secret Killings – Asian HR body call for probe

Expressing concern over mysterious disappearances and secret killings in the country, the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has called for immediate investigation of all such incidents.

The rights watchdog in a statement on its website www.humanrights.asia has also asked the civil society to press the government to address the incidents of abduction and secret killing as a top priority.

The statement said abductions followed by killings have become a matter of serious concern for everyone in Bangladesh.

"All the incidents of abduction and secret killing deserve immediate investigation -- preferably by competent judicial officials as the police and Rab (Rapid Action Battalion) have already lost credibility for their constant actions beyond the purview of law -- which will help the nation to learn the truth regarding the crimes," the statement said.

Meanwhile, Ain O Salish Kendra, a rights organisation, in its annual report claimed that the numbers of mysterious disappearance and secret killing witnessed an alarming rise in 2011 compared to those of the previous years.

According to its report published on January 1, fifty-one people had vanished last year, of whom 15 bodies were recovered.

Odhikar, another rights organisation, in its report also said the number of "disappearances" allegedly attributable to law enforcers increased last year. According to the report, 30 people became victims of disappearances last year while it was 18 in 2010 and two in 2009.

AHRC said in a democratic country, the government has the undeniable obligation to ensure the protection of people regardless of their political or even national identity.

However, in reality, the authorities concerned, including the top law enforcement officials and persons with powerful portfolios, constantly blame either "criminal gangs" or the opposition parties for the incidents.

"The government has a fundamental obligation to address the problem instead of blaming others or maintaining silence that ultimately indicates the impaired capacity of the government itself," said the AHRC statement.

It also said the government should take the strongest possible measure to stop the law enforcement agencies from arresting a person without an arrest warrant.

"All that is needed in Bangladesh is to compel the government authorities to act within the framework of a basic nation for establishing justice to the people in general," the statement said.
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About AHRC: The Asian Human Rights Commission is a regional non-governmental organisation that monitors human rights in Asia, documents violations and advocates for justice and institutional reform to ensure the protection and promotion of these rights. The Hong Kong-based group was founded in 1984.

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