Reprisals against victims and activists on the rise
More instances of intimidation and reprisals against victims, members of civil society and activists have been recorded by the UN Human Rights Office, depicting a global rise in such violations. A full report was presented last week before the Human Rights Council, which reported such instances in 48 countries across the globe, including Bangladesh.
Andrew Gilmour, the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, stressing on the severe cases of threatening and intimidation of the activists, stated that some countries would “go to any length” to punish those who cooperate with the UN.
The report identified “the use of national security arguments and counter-terrorism strategies by States as justification for blocking access to the United Nations.” Some individuals have also been “charged with terrorism, blamed for cooperation with foreign entities or accused of damaging the reputation or security of the State”.
With the growing use of online media of communication, it is unsurprising that hate speech, cyberbullying and smear campaigns have been significant trends in the furtherance of the reprisal. Vulnerable groups, such as, women and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons were specifically targeted.
The report identified the use of intimidation against activists of the indigenous communities in Chittagong Hill Tracts during the 18th session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in New York in April 2019 and reprisals against staff members of the NGO Odhikar. The Government of Bangladesh expressed dismay over the former incident. The report also mentions the Foreign Donations (Voluntary Activities) Regulation Bill of 2016, a law that allows suspension of NGOs if they fail to comply with the national laws of Bangladesh.
Compiled by Law Desk (Source: UN.ORG).
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