Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Dacca (Agenzia Fides) – The “Human Rights Report 2008,” has been published by the Bengali Non-Governmental Organization “Odhikar” (meaning “rights” in Bengali), which began in 1994 with a group of activists, lawyers, politicians, and social movements who seek to promote and protect human rights in Bangladesh.
The Report addresses various themes and analyzes the process of the political and social life in the country, articulating the violations and abuses that have taken place during the “state of emergency” that ended in December 2008.
There are chapters dedicated to reporting on the torture and violence committed against women, as well as murders, minority rights, threats suffered by human rights activists, abuses and exploitation of workers and farmers. The Report observes the alarming fact that the practice of torture has become common, as those who carry it out go unpunished. Torture is regularly used by the police to make someone confess to a crime, and what is worst is that it is considered almost part of their routine. In Bangladesh's legislation, it is not considered a crime, although the country signed the International Convention Against Torture.
Another unfortunately noteworthy occurrence are the arbitrary arrests that, during the state of emergency, were countless: in June 2008, over 50,000 people were arrested, affiliates of political parties. However, no standard procedures were used.
“Odhikar” also warns of the cases of violence against women, as there are many in Bangladesh. The number of women who suffer violence – including rape, for a dowry, beatings, torture, and murder – is particularly high in the poorest slums of the country, especially among women living in rural areas, both inside and outside the family home. Among the reasons for such violence are: the difficulty in bringing criminals to justice, police corruption, bad administration, ignorance of the law, and scarce medical attention.
Although they are a small minority in a Muslim country, the Christian Churches in Bangladesh have conducted campaigns, on various occasions during the last two years, in defense of human rights and the dignity of every person. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 31/3/2009)
