Rights problems consistent, acute
Human Rights Watch has painted a grim picture of Bangladesh's human rights situation, saying it deserves "regular and high-level attention" from the UN, the US and others.
In a hearing before Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission of the US Congress on Thursday, John Sifton, director of Asia Advocacy at Human Rights Watch (HRW), said general human rights situation in Bangladesh remains poor, both for structural and policy reasons.
"The primary structural problem, we believe, is that the army continues to wield tremendous power over the civilian authorities. The military acts as if it is above the law. The ever-present threat of a destabilisation campaign by the military against the elected government hangs in the air in Bangladesh," said Sifton.
Sifton said after its landslide victory in 2008, the Awami League had the opportunity to take steps to rein in the security forces.
"Yet extrajudicial killings and impunity continue to characterise the human rights situation in Bangladesh. Repeatedly, the government has failed to take action even in cases of abuse that are similar to what members of the Awami League suffered while in opposition."
He said Bangladesh's rights problems are consistent and acute across successive governments. HRW welcomes the greater attention the United States gives to Bangladesh. Unfortunately, much more should be done.
"The current government has been largely hostile to efforts to offer advice on key rights issues, arguing that facts presented are 'fabricated and politically motivated' and that critics are part of an 'international conspiracy' against the government.
"This makes all of our efforts to improve the rights situation for the people of Bangladesh much more difficult."
He urged the Bangladesh government to rethink its approach to human rights reporting and related recommendations.
The HRW official said, "The recalcitrance it has shown on human rights and related issues have made it difficult and sometimes impossible to engage in any meaningful way with the government on issues that affect large numbers of Bangladeshis.
"This approach has severely affected both domestic and international opinion about the government and its sincerity in promoting and protecting human rights.
"Instead of adopting an 'us-against-them' mentality, summarily dismissing reports, and treating human rights work as a conspiracy to undermine the ruling party, the government should address allegations and recommendations seriously.
"It is time for a reset in Dhaka on rights, and we hope this hearing can contribute to this."
He said although the government is publicly committed to “zero tolerance” for human rights violations, Bangladesh has not shown a great amount of progress in key areas in the last few years. The country has largely failed to use its significant parliamentary mandate to adopt policies and enact laws to ensure strong protections of human rights.
Perhaps, the most important example is Rab (Rapid Action Battalion), he said.
Sifton went on, "We have labelled Rab a 'death squad' because we and others have documented large numbers of cases in which Rab forces have identified individuals, detained them, and then staged a shootout in which the detainee is killed, claiming self-defence.
"The Rab would then issue very similar press statements explaining how victims died in the 'crossfire'. We do not know why the government takes this completely untenable position."
He also said there are continuing worrying signs about the health of Bangladesh's civil society. And the draft law purporting to regulate foreign donations to Bangladeshi NGOs is a matter of concern.
"We have every reason to believe that this law has the potential to be used not for legitimate regulatory or tax purposes but rather as a cudgel to silence or neuter civil society groups whose work is out of favour with the government," Sifton added.
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