US outraged by USAID official Xulhaz murder

The United States last night strongly condemned the brutal killing of USAID official Xulhaz Mannan at his Dhaka home.

“We are outraged by the barbaric attack on Mr. Xulhaz Mannan, a beloved member of our embassy family and a courageous advocate for LGBTI rights, human rights,” US State Department Spokesperson John Kirby said at the daily press briefing in Washington.

“An act like this is beyond words, unjustifiable, inexcusable. As we mourn his death, we celebrate Xulhaz's life and everything he contributed to Bangladesh, to the United States, and to the global struggle for human rights and dignity,” added the spokesperson.

Xulhaz, 35, and his friend Mahbub Tonoy were hacked to death by a gang of five/six who entered Xulhaz's Kalabagan flat posing as couriers yesterday afternoon.

US Ambassador to Bangladesh Marcia Stephens Bloom Bernicat has urged the government to apprehend the criminals behind the murders.

In a statement, she said, “I am devastated by the brutal murder of Xulhaz Mannan and another young Bangladeshi this evening in Dhaka. Xulhaz was more than a colleague to those of us fortunate to work with him at the US Embassy. He was a dear friend. Our prayers are with Xulhaz, the other victim, and those injured in the attack.” 

She added, “We abhor this senseless act of violence and urge the Government of Bangladesh in the strongest terms to apprehend the criminals behind these murders.”

Amnesty International has also condemned the murders.

Champa Patel, Amnesty's South Asia Director, said: "The brutal killing today of an editor of an LGBTI publication (Roopbaan) and his friend, days after a university professor was hacked to death, underscores the appalling lack of protection being afforded to a range of peaceful activists in the country."

Patel added that there have been four deplorable killings so far this month alone and it is shocking that no one has been held to account for these horrific attacks and that almost no protection has been given to threatened members of civil society.

"While the Bangladeshi authorities have failed to bring these violent groups to justice, the attackers have expanded their range of targets to now include a university professor and LGBTI activists," said the Amnesty official.

Meanwhile, the Committee to Protect Journalists has deplored the killings.

"Authorities must immediately investigate the murder of Xulhaz Mannan, and bring the perpetrators to justice," said Bob Dietz, CPJ's Asia programme coordinator.

"Journalists and intellectuals are under attack in Bangladesh and the government has done little to end the murderous mayhem or to ensure the safety of at-risk groups."