Govt says US HR report lacks balance

The government yesterday termed the US state department's Human Rights Practices Report 2007 on Bangladesh disappointing for its "lack of balance" in presenting the country's ground realities.
Reacting to the report released in Washington Tuesday saying the caretaker government's human rights record worsened in part due to the state of emergency and postponement of elections, the foreign ministry said Bangladesh is committed to upholding human rights of all its citizens in accordance with its constitutional obligations, reports UNB.
Home Adviser MA Matin also dismissed the report that said former prime ministers Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia were arrested as the government failed to exile them in the first six months of its coming to power.
A foreign ministry spokesman noted that all, including the international community, are aware of the circumstances, which led to the declaration of the state of emergency early January 2007.
"It is understood that during the state of emergency, some fundamental rights remain suspended. However, the government is extremely careful about enforcing such provisions so that the fundamental rights are not infringed," the spokesman said.
He said the report however acknowledges these aspects as it acknowledges various reform initiatives taken by the caretaker government, including separation of the judiciary from the executive, revision of the Police Act with adherence to human rights principles and standards, and several major steps to improve the prison conditions.
The US state department report also duly noted significant drop in the number of extrajudicial killings, introduction of special training courses on human rights for the members of law enforcement agencies, including Rapid Action Battalion (Rab), and persons charged with criminal offences receiving due process, he said.
The report also noted freedom of religions being upheld, enhanced government efforts to combat trafficking in person and improving labour conditions. It further acknowledged the government's efforts to relax the extent of limitations placed on the media by the Emergency Power Rules.
"The government is, however, disappointed at the report's lack of balance as evidenced in its failure to mention the significant reform measures taken by the caretaker government for consolidating and sustaining democracy," the spokesman said.
"These include the restructuring and empowering of the Election Commission, the Public Service Commission and the Anti-Corruption Commission."
He said the report could further mention the initiatives taken with a view to establishing a "national human rights commission" and promulgating the Right to Information Ordinance.
"These landmark reform initiatives would significantly improve democratic practices, leading to promotion and protection of human rights in a sustained manner," the foreign ministry spokesman added.
Home Adviser MA Matin yesterday said the US state department cannot say that the two former prime ministers were arrested as the government failed to exile them in the first six months of its coming to power, reports our staff correspondent.
"You have seen our realities," Matin told reporters after a meeting on law and order at his ministry. He said the government has kept the two former premiers behind bars with due honour. "We have enough respect for them. We are regularly looking after them," he added.
The report mentioned suspension of many fundamental rights that include freedom of the press, freedom of associations and right to bail. It said the anti-corruption drives gave rise to concerns about due process.
Asked if the government will protest at the report, Matin said, "We will have to think about our reality from our perspective."
The law and order meeting chaired by the home adviser also discussed the report. The home secretary, inspector general of police (IGP), inspector general (prisons), director generals of Bangladesh Rifles and Rab were present at the meeting.
Expressing deep concern at the rising incidents of murder in the country, the meeting directed the law enforcement agencies to take the issue seriously.
It also made it clear to the law enforcers that "custodial deaths are unacceptable", said officials.