The Urgency for UN Human Rights Office in Bangladesh
The Rights and Risks Analysis Group (RRAG) has urged the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, who is visiting Bangladesh today, to press the Interim Government of Bangladesh to allow the establishment of a UN human rights office mission in Bangladesh with full and unrestricted access to the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHTs). The RRAG has highlighted the government’s failure to make the report of the inquiry commission headed by the Additional Divisional Commissioner of Chittagong, Mr. Mohammad Nurullah Noori, public. The commission’s report documented acts of violence against indigenous peoples in Dighinala, Khagrachari, and Rangamati from September 19 to October 1, 2024. Additionally, Chief Advisor Dr. Mohammad Yunus announced that the next elected government would address the problems of indigenous peoples in the CHTs. These attacks by the Bangladesh Army and illegal settlers resulted in the deaths of at least four indigenous persons, severe injuries to at least 75 indigenous Jumma people, and the looting, destruction, or burning of at least 142 houses, shops, and other business establishments, as well as Buddhist temples.
“Noble Laureate Dr. Mohammed Yunus has distanced himself from the indigenous peoples of the Chittagong Hill Tracts by asserting that the next elected government will implement the Peace Accord. However, he has also dismissed investigations into acts of violence against religious minorities, attributing these attacks to their allegiance with the Awami League. This exclusionary approach towards indigenous peoples and religious minorities is evident in the formation of the Constitutional Reforms Commission, which excluded both religious minorities and indigenous peoples’ representatives. These issues demand immediate attention.”- stated Mr. Suhas Chakma, Director of the RRAG.
As of August 31, 2024, approximately 1,94,000 individuals, including 26,268 named and around 1,68,000 unnamed persons, have been accused in approximately 268 FIRs. Furthermore, at least 54 journalists perceived as supporters of the previous government led by Hasina have been charged with various offenses, including genocide and crimes against humanity, for their reporting. Unless the proceedings of these FIRs are halted and a Committee of the Public Prosecutors is established to assess each FIR registered, thousands of unnamed individuals will suffer due to false prosecution, ” stated Mr. Chakma.
The RRAG expressed concerns that while innocent individuals are being prosecuted, at least 43 high-profile criminals and militants, including Mufti Jashimuddin Rahmani, the chief of the Ansarullah Bangla Team, an Al-Qaeda-inspired militant outfit now known as Ansar al Islam, have been convicted for the murder of Rajib Haider, a blogger. Despite numerous pending cases, these individuals have been released on bail. Other notable terrorists released include Abbas Ali alias ‘Killer Abbas’ of Mirpur, Sheikh Mohammad Aslam alias Sweden Aslam of Tejgaon, Imamul Hasan Helal alias Picchi Helal of Mohammadpur, and Sanjidul Islam alias Emon, who were all named in the list of 23 top terrorists published by the home ministry on December 26, 2001.
