[Reader-list] BANGLADESH: 279 Custody Deaths in 20 Months of Emergency

[Shambhu Rahmat]

279 fall victim to extra-judicial killing in 20 months: Says Odikhar report

Staff Correspondent, The Daily Star, September 13, 2008

http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=54585

At least 279 people fell victim to extrajudicial killing by the law
enforcement agencies across the country during the state of emergency
between January 2007 and September 2008, revealed a study report
yesterday.

The report published by Odhikar, a human rights organisation, covers
20 months of the present government.

The government has set up National Human Rights Commission in the
country only to shore up their credibility before the international
community rather than safeguarding the rights of the people, it added.

The report mentioned that the National Human Rights Commission
Ordinance 2007 provided for establishment of an independent body to
safeguard the people's rights, but it left the power to select the
chairman and members of the commission to a committee controlled by
the government officials, which is an impediment to establishing an
independent body.

The ordinance stated that the commission would resolve the human
rights violations through arbitration or mediation, but Odhikar said
the violators should be tried in a court of law, which will ensure
exemplary punishment of the perpetrators.

Besides, Right to Information Ordinance will curb the freedom of the
press and people's right to know rather than extending it, the report
said, adding that if the ordinance is promulgated, a person even a
journalist will need to apply in a prescribed form for information and
the authority will have the power to reject the application or provide
the information sought.

It also expressed concern that the draft ordinance was prepared by a
committee dominated by bureaucrats who ignored submissions made by key
stakeholders like Federal Union of Journalists, National Press Club
and South Asian Free Media Association.

Odhikar observed that the tele-tapping by the state is a direct
contravention of Article 43 (b) of the constitution that ensure a
person's right to the privacy of his correspondence and other means of
communication.

The report said Truth and Accountability Communication (Tac) has not
only failed to attain its desired objective, but it is also contrary
to the constitutional provisions and the spirit of law.

Tac's aim to re-energise the country's economy has failed. Corrupt
businessmen and bureaucrats are allowed to continue their businesses
and services while politicians are barred from contesting in the
elections after being bestowed with mercy from the commission, it
added.

The report further said the government should allow trade unionism in
all sectors to ensure a sustainable and healthy growth of the economy.