United News of Bangladesh

Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Thursday said recent legislative initiatives by Bangladesh’s interim government risk undermining fundamental freedoms. Instead of pursuing its pledge to reform the criminal justice system and bring accountability for serious abuses, the government is attempting to suppress the rights of supporters of the deposed leader, Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League party, the New York-based rights body said in a statement on Thursday. “Sheikh Hasina’s government abused legal powers to silence political opponents, but using similar methods against the supporters of her Awami League party would also violate those same fundamental freedoms,” said Meenakshi Ganguly, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “The draft legislation on enforced disappearances, on the other hand, does little to advance justice or provide answers for the hundreds of victims and families affected by disappearances under Hasina’s rule," Ganguly said. HRW hands over report to Dr Yunus, says Hasina "directly ordered" enforced disappearances, killings On May 12, the interim government ordered a “temporary” ban on the activities of Awami League, using newly introduced powers under a draconian amendment to the Anti-Terrorism Act. The ban includes, among other actions, meetings, publications and online speech supporting the party. To build a foundation for the respect of human rights in Bangladesh, the interim government should reverse its actions to protect rights of freedom of expression of Awami League members and supporters, and focus instead on prosecuting members of the former government accused of crimes based on credible evidence, said the rights body. "It should refrain from politically motivated pretrial detentions, and ensure that they remain the exception, only when necessary in an individual case, and not the rule,”  according to the HRW. The priority should be to deliver justice for human rights violations, particularly unlawful killings and enforced disappearances. The government should use evidence gathered by the commission of inquiry to investigate enforced disappearances to prosecute alleged perpetrators, remove suspects in the security forces from active duty, and reveal the fate of the missing, it said. “There is widespread anger against the Awami League for the many abuses committed during Hasina’s rule, but stripping supporters of opposition parties of their rights isn’t a way forward,” said Ganguly. “Instead, the interim government should ensure progress on revealing what happened to the disappeared and holding perpetrators accountable through fair trials.” Lasting reforms needed in Bangladesh to stop abuses: HRW Meanwhile, the draft legislation to address enforced disappearances, which were widespread under the previous government, does not meet international standards and scarcely addresses accountability for past crimes, it added.

The United States has encouraged the government of Bangladesh to investigate reports of violence "thoroughly, transparently, and impartially," and to hold the perpetrators to account. The US also urged Bangladesh to create a safe environment for people to peacefully assemble and voice their concerns. Read: Momen denounces Quran burning in address to OIC Council of Foreign Ministers "We call on all parties to respect fundamental freedoms and the rule of law, and to refrain from violence, harassment, and intimidation," US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said during a regular briefing in Washington on July 31. He said they are concerned about reports of intimidation and political violence in Bangladesh surrounding last weekend’s political protests. Read: Chinese special envoy in town; discreet meetings held with MoFA Miller said free and fair elections depend on the commitment of everyone – voters, political parties, youth groups, and police – and cannot take place in an environment with political violence.

Bangladesh is deeply committed to the principles of human rights and fundamental freedoms, which is reflected in the country's engagements with the human rights mechanisms of the United Nations, said Ambassador Rabab Fatima. Bangladesh Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Fatima was speaking at the general debate on the report of the Human Rights Council (HRC) at the General Assembly Thursday. "As a member of the Human Rights Council, Bangladesh remains actively engaged and committed to the mandate and work of the Council," Ambassador Fatima added. She appreciated the efforts of the HRC for keeping the Rohingya issues high on its agenda and for adopting a consensus resolution in its 47th session. Also read:Rabab Fatima calls for international solidarity against terrorism Fatima also acknowledged the role and work of the Special Rapporteur and the Independent Investigative Mechanism on Myanmar. She called upon the Council to continue its efforts to ensure a safe, voluntary and dignified life for the Rohingya, free from discrimination and persecution in their homeland in Myanmar.

The Media Freedom Coalition have issued a statement expressing deep concern over continued efforts by the military and police to crack down on media freedom in Myanmar. “Media freedom is a cornerstone of democratic societies. It is essential to the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. Access to information is vital and journalists must be free to report on the developments in the country, including the protests, without fear of reprisal or intimidation,” reads the statement issued Friday. Independent reporting, it noted, is all the more important in the current context, helping to counter the disinformation campaigns in Myanmar, both online and offline, and to provide the public with factual accounts of events taking place in the country. “The importance of the work of journalists, particularly in remote areas, cannot be underestimated,” it said. Members of the coalition who signed the statement are: Australia, Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Honduras, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Republic of Korea, Slovakia, Slovenia, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom, and United States. The statement noted that since the Feb 1 military coup, attacks against media professionals by the security forces and their offices have increased significantly. At least 60 journalists have reportedly been detained and some of these now also face charges. Licences of five news organisations have been revoked by the military and access to local and international news networks have been suspended. The military imposed “draconian measures that repress free speech and the diffusion of reliable and verified information”. Internet shutdowns have also been used to restrict news coverage, communications and access to information, the statement noted. “We strongly condemn the military coup and the ongoing violence and call for the restoration of Myanmar’s democratically elected government and parliamentary assemblies elected in November 2020,” the Coalition said. It called on the military to “immediately and unconditionally” cease attacks on, and intimidation and harassment of, journalists and media workers, and to release all those who have been arbitrarily detained. “We call for the perpetrators of violations and abuses, including attacks on journalists and media workers, to be held accountable,” the coalition said. It demanded the military to respect the rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression, refrain from the use of force, and respect the media’s freedom to report protests independently, safely and without fear of violence or arbitrary detention. “We call for the end of all Internet restrictions in Myanmar that suppress media freedom and violate the right to freedom of expression, including freedom to seek, receive, and impart information,” the statement said. Also read: End assault on media freedom, Fortify Rights to Myanmar