Hindus 'being heard in VPA change' - BD govt claims

Source: Bdnews24.com
Url: http://bdnews24.com/details.php?id=161801&cid=2

Dhaka, May 21 (bdnews24.com)--The government is taking the recommendations of the Hindu community seriously in amending the Vested Property (Return) Act to make the stronger and more effective, deputy parliament leader Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury has said.

Speaking at a meeting at the Dhakeshwari national temple, Sajeda also criticised hartal call of the main opposition BNP. She claimed the hartal has been called for June 27 on orders of the Pakistanis to delay the war crimes trial.

The AL presidium member said, "A large part of the Hindu community is being tormented in the name of Enemy Property Act since the 60s.

"Though the Awami League government passed the Vested Property (Return) Act in 2001, the subsequent government did not take any steps to implement the law. The caretaker government made it more complicated by issuing a fresh ordinance."

"The process of passing the Act in the parliament is on-going", she said.

After the India-Pakistan war in 1965, the Pakistan government had seized huge assets of the Hindus dubbing them 'enemy' property. The still gives the state power to deprive a Bangladeshi citizen of their property.

The VPA has long been criticised in Bangladesh and abroad as a major violation of the rights of minorities, who had property seized in the past simply on leaving the country.

Later, the AL government took the initiative to return those assets by passing the Vested Property (Return) Act.

"The Hindu community has had immense contribution in the liberation war. There would be cooperation from the government to resolve all their problems," said information minister Abul Kalam Azad.

State minister of religious affairs Shahjahan Mia said, "The process of forming Hindu Foundation is underway in line with the demand of the Hindu community."

He also promised necessary steps to recover the grabbed land of the Dhakeshwari Temple.

The chief adviser of Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad, retired major genral CR Datta, Bir Uttam, inaugurated the conference.

The local MP, Mostafa Jalal Mohiuddin spoke among others.

Criticising the hartal called by BNP, Sajeda said,"They have called the hartal in the name of price hike. But hartal will further increase the prices."

Those who allowed Jamaat-e-Islami leaders to use the national flag in their house and cars would also be tried, said Sajeda.

'Create alternative jobs for Harijans'

Source: The Daily Star News

Speakers have called for creating alternative job opportunities for Harijans, who have been stuck in the profession of cleaning roads and offices for almost 200 years without any recognition from society.

They called on Harijans to send their children to schools and prepare them for future, which shows huge potential of increased employment in the community, which already faces competition with the mainstream people.

Harijans have urged the government for minimum 80 percent quota in cleaning jobs for them at city corporations and government offices as well as providing basic rights enshrined in the constitution.

The speakers made the call at the orientation of the newly elected central committee of Bangladesh Harijan Oikya Parishad at Cirdap auditorium in the city.

A 101-member committee comprising representatives from across the county made their first appearance yesterday.

Krishnalal, chairperson of Bangladesh Harijan Oikya Parishad, said: “We keep the city clean and for that occupation we are considered as untouchables. Our children receive formal education, but they do not get jobs because of their identity as Harijans.”

About 15 lakh traditional sweepers, also known as Jaat sweepers, are originally descendants of immigrants from Kanpur, Nagpur and Andhra Pradesh of India, brought in 1830s during the British rule to provide all sorts of menial services for colonial rulers.

Their jobs include sweeping the streets and offices, clearing clogs in the sewerage lines, cleaning up manholes, water reservoirs, hospital wastes and handling carcasses. Many of them are employed in crematoriums.

Human rights activist barrister Sara Hossain said the national constitution ensures that no one will be subjected to caste-based discrimination and that the disadvantaged communities can demand special support programme from the government.

Shaheen Anam, executive director of Manusher Jonno Foundation, said Harijans must respect themselves first, then others will respect them and they must educate their community to this end.

Whip Shagufta Yasmin MP, Babu Kailash Das Hela, chief adviser of the parishad, and Nirmal Chandra Das, secretary general, also spoke.

14 girls kill themselves in 4 months

Source: The Daily Star News

At least 14 girls and the father of a stalking victim committed suicide during the last four and half months, data shows.

And three men were killed and four others were tortured for protesting at stalking by local youths this year.

Sayeed Ahmed, senior coordinator, Media and International Advocacy of Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), presented these facts during a discussion at Shilpakala Academy in the capital.

Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid, as the chief guest, said the government would observe June 3 as a day of campaign against stalking.

Rally, procession and discussion will be held on that day at all academic institutions across the country.

He urged all to work together and wage social movement to stop stalking. “Social values and awareness can prevent stalking and ensure women's easy movement.”

Nahid said the ministry has a plan to include texts addressing such issues in school curriculum.

The teachers would also be trained on social issues to counsel students, he said.

Nahid called upon the religious leaders to play an active role in resisting stalkers.

Sultana Kamal, the executive director of ASK, said political parties should come forward to resist stalking. There are instances where stalkers have taken shelter of the political leaders, she said.

“So, apolitical movement is needed to stop stalking.”

The meeting recommended forming forum comprising school authorities and guardians to protect girls from stalkers.

Participants at the discussion titled “Our Responsibilities to Prevent Stalking” also recommended setting complaint centres at all institutions by issuing circular from the education ministry.

They urged to define stalking and enforce law against it.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Noor Muhammad as a special guest said the police department already initiated some moves to prevent stalking.

ASK Chairperson Hameeda Hossain chaired the discussion.

Land grab by politicians alleged

Source: Gulf Times

Minority Hindus of Mothbaria sub-district in Bangladesh’s Pirojpur district have alleged that ruling Awami League activists backed by the party’s lawmaker were trying to grab nearly 200 acres of their land.
“They’re grabbing the land of anyone who is leaving for India,” Shamol Chandra Haldar of Dakkhin Sonakhali village told media yesterday.
He also alleged that two families had already left Bangladesh and many more were making preparations.
Shankar Mitra, speaking on behalf of 100 Hindu families living in the sub-district, alleged that Mujibur Rahman Sayed, who is father of former central Chhatra League (Awami League’s student wing) leader Ashrafur Rahman, along with his associates had been trying to grab land owned by the religious minorities.
Mitra claimed that this group of people had set fire to their shops and harassed women, bdnews24.com newspaper web site reported.
He alleged that Sayed attacked his home on April 1 in order to grab his land and injured his brother Subhash.
Haldar alleged that the reason behind the violence was to grab nearly 199.9 acres of land owned by the families.

Stop land grabbing by false documents

Source: The Daily Star News

Indigenous people urge govt for urgent steps

Indigenous people of Gomostapur upazila under Chapainawabganj district have made allegations of harassment and repression on them by the land grabbers.

Leaders of indigenous people of Dighori, Pargana, Baisi Parishad, Lahanti Akhra Forum, Adivasi Samonnya Parishad and Jatiyo Adivasi Parishad made the accusations at a press conference at Chapainawabganj Press Club on Saturday.

They alleged the land grabbers have been harassing them by filing false cases. Not only that, when anybody comes forward to help the victims, the land grabbers threat him of dire consequences, they added.

Indigenous leaders of Chapainawabganj Corneleus Murmu, Motilal Toppo, Jaoharlal Ekka, Bichitra Tirpi and Shirish Khalko were present.

Giving an example of harassment, the indigenous leaders said one Sirajul Islam of Lebudanga village under Radhanagar Union in Gomostapur upazila came under bomb attack at the same village by some unidentified criminals on the night of April 29. Sirajul's father- in-law Golam Rabbani filed a case with Gomostapur Police Station the following day against two innocent indigenous people.

Without finding the real culprits, police had sent the two indigenous people to jail custody, they alleged.

They told the press conference that Sirajul grabbed 2.14 acres of land of Sunil Keoar of Telipukur village by making a false document. He and his men threatened indigenous leaders Jaoharlal Ekka and Motilal Toppo with death on May 10 as they went to Chapainawabganj jail to meet one of the two accused.

This correspondent could not contact Sirajul Islam despite several attempts over mobile phone.

Our Mymensingh correspondent adds: The indigenous leaders of Mymensingh region have demanded that the government form separate land commission to solve their land problems.

The raised the demand at a workshop on 'Problems over land of indigenous people of Mymensingh region and its remedy' at the auditorium of Zila Shilpakala Academy yesterday noon.

Influential people have already grabbed the land of many adivasi families by making false documents and they are still active, the indigenous leaders alleged.

They urged the government to immediately form a land commission to settle their land disputes.

Over 100 indigenous leaders from Mymensingh, Tangail, Sherpur and Netrokona joined the workshop jointly arranged by Joyenshahi Adivasi Samaj Kalyan Sangstha, Achik Michik Society, Hajang Mata Rashimoni Kalyan Parishad, Dhalu Adivasi Unnayan Sangstha, Indigenous People Development Services, Society for Biodiversity Conservation and CARITAS.

B'desh Hindus allege land grabbing by ruling party members

Source: Znews

Dhaka: Minority Hindus in a Bangladeshi district have alleged that some ruling Awami League leaders are trying to grab their land, even as a judicial investigation is underway to examine identical complaints during the previous regime of Khaleda Zia.
"Since the incumbent government assumed office (after December 29, 2008 elections), ruling party lawmaker Anwar Hossain is trying to grab our lands," one of the victims Subhash Chandra Debnath told agency today.
He added, "We have strong reasons to believe that ruling party lawmaker Anwar Hossain and local municipal chairman Rafiuddin Ahmed Ferdous, also an influential Awami League leader, and the party?s student front leader Ashrafur Rahman are behind the attempts of land grabbing."

Debnath's comments came as the mass circulation Jugantor newspaper and several other dailies today carried statements of the victims saying some 100 Hindu families at the Mathbaria sub-district of Pirozpur were passing days in fright as the politically influential quarters created a "reign of terror" to uproot them from the area.
Debnath and another local journalist Gautam Saha said during the past one and half years the "politically influential terrorists" set ablaze a shop owned by a Hindu resident, critically injured another member of the community, harassed several women and threatened several others if the pieces of lands were not handed over to them.

"An unholy quarter is involved in the process. They are very influential," Debnath said, adding that several Hindu families were planning to leave the country to take refuge in India while at least one Hindu family already migrated to the neighbouring country.

The allegations came as a judicial enquiry committee headed by a senior judge was recording statements of the particularly the minority people in the southwestern districts as they were exposed to identical repressions during the past Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)-led four party government with fundamentalist Jamaat-e-Islami being its key partner.

The repression on minority Hindus at that time sparked wide protests while the ruling Awami League of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had promised to expose the culprits of communal repression to justice in her election manifesto.

Economist and general secretary of Bangladesh Economic Association Abul Barakat in a study in 2007 found politically powerful people grabbed most of the land during the BNP-led regime from 2001 to 2006.

"Forty-five per cent of the land grabbers were affiliated with the BNP, 31 per cent with the Awami League, eight percent with Jamaat-e-Islami (main ally of the BNP-led coalition) and six per cent with the Jatiya Party and other political organisations," the study report read.

The incumbent government, however, enacted a law to return Hindu Property which were confiscated during the 1965 war between India and the then Pakistan, when Bangladesh was eastern wing of Pakistan.

The law is meant to redress the long-disputed law of the Pakistani era, which was widely criticised as a major violation of the minority rights.

During the Pakistan period, the law was called as Enemy Property Act.

According to a study conducted by a Dhaka University professor several years ago nearly 200,000 Hindu families lost approximately 40,667 acres of land since 2001 until the annulment of the Vested Property Act, considered a "black law".

URGENT APPEAL: Hindu Minority under attack in Bangladesh

Source: GHRD

This is an urgent appeal from GHRD.


10th May 2010,

The Hague, The Netherlands

URGENT APPEAL: Bangladesh: Hindu community attacked, physically assaulted and deprived from its property; alleged involvement of a member of the Bangladeshi Army. [UA-BA-10-05-2010]

ISSUES: Physical assault against minority members, including children; property violation and theft.

Dear Friends,

Global Human Rights Defence (GHRD) is investigating another attack against the Hindu community in the Manikgonj District, where at least twelve people were physically assaulted during a property violation attempt. According to GHRD sources, the main perpetrator holds a post in the Bangladeshi Army, posted at the Jessore Cantonment.

CASE DETAILS:

The incident occurred on the 30th April 2010 in a Hindu village at Baguli, of the Manikgonj district. It is reported that the attack took place as a result of a property violation attempt, during which the perpetrators illegally confiscated crops from local Hindu owners.

Thirteen identified and armed perpetrators, reportedly lead by a member of the National Army, entered the Hindu property around 7 a.m. on 30th April 2010 and started pillaging agrarian produce. When the owners made an effort to protect their property, the perpetrators attacked them with sharp weapons, causing serious physical injuries. Some Muslims who tried to help their Hindu neighbours, were also physically assaulted. At least four victims were taken to hospital, one in a critical condition. One of the villagers filed a complaint against the thirteen perpetrators at Doulatpur police station on 1st May 2010.

A First Information Report (FIR) was filed at Doulatpur police station on 1st May 2010 under sections143/447/323/325/326/307/379/114/506 (ii) of the Penal code. After the lodging of the complaint, some of the perpetrators surrendered before the Chief Judicial Magistrate-Manikgonj and got a relief. Subsequently, the perpetrators once again intimidated the victims and ordered them to leave the country immediately.

GHRD started the investigation on the 8th May 2010 and has visited the location of the incident and took statements from the victims. More than 100 witnesses, both Hindus and Muslims, confirmed the incident. According to their statements, the perpetrators are violent and constitute a threat to the local community and must be immediately brought to justice.

To this moment none of the perpetrators have been arrested. GHRD has collected FIR's, photographs, medical reports and additional documentation verifiying the violent incidents. A lawyer has also been engaged. GHRD will continue to monitor the case.

GHRD notes with concern that violence against minorities and intolerance persist in Bangladesh. In only a month, this is the third attack against Hindus that GHRD has investigated, which occurred as a result of a property violation.

On the 20th and 26th March 2010 at least 15 perpetrators illegally entered ponds, property of Hindus and stole fish, which is a main source of income for the locals. One of the victims was physically assaulted. According to information gathered by GHRD, a police officer is involved in the unlawful acts. Furthermore, between 25th February and 3rd April 2010 the property of over 21 Hindus was violated and their houses were occupied by perpetrators, belonging to the Muslim population. Notably, in all three cases there are allegations for police negligence or even collaboration with the wrongdoers.

SUGGESTED ACTION:

In light of the above, GHRD strongly urges the local police authorities to conduct a proper investigation into this case, and to bring the perpetrators to justice. The allegation of involvement of a member of the Bangladeshi Army is particularly worrying and GHRD urges upon the local authorities to undertake all legal measures required in this case in order to establish the facts and identify the perpetrators. The victims must receive necessary legal assistance and adequate compensation for the damages caused, and their safety and wellbeing must be guranteed during the entire process.

We trust that immidate action shall be taken in this regard.

Thank you,

In order to help, please print the following sample letter and send it to the relevant authorities found below.

Sample letter:

Dear ___________,

I am deeply concerned with the news received from Global Human Rights Defence (GHRD) regarding another attack against the Hindu community in the Manikgonj District, where at least twelve people were physically assaulted during a property violation attempt. According to GHRD sources, the main perpetrator holds a post in the Bangladeshi Army, posted at the Jessore Cantonment.

I am told that the incident occurred on the 30th April 2010 in a Hindu village at Baguli, of the Manikgonj district. It is reported that the attack took place as a result of a property violation attempt, during which the perpetrators illegally confiscated crops from local Hindu owners.

GHRD reports that thirteen identified and armed perpetrators, reportedly lead by a member of the National Army, entered the Hindu property around 7 a.m. on 30th April 2010 and started pillaging agrarian produce. When the owners made an effort to protect their property, the perpetrators attacked them with sharp weapons, causing serious physical injuries. Some Muslims who tried to help their Hindu neighbours, were also physically assaulted. At least four victims were taken to hospital, one in a critical condition. One of the villagers filed a complaint against the thirteen perpetrators at Doulatpur police station on 1st May 2010.

I am also informed that a First Information Report (FIR) was filed at Doulatpur police station on 1st May 2010 under sections143/447/323/325/326/307/379/114/506 (ii) of the Penal code. After the lodging of the complaint, some of the perpetrators surrendered before the Chief Judicial Magistrate-Manikgonj and got a relief. Subsequently, the perpetrators once again intimidated the victims and ordered them to leave the country immediately.

GHRD started the investigation on the 8th May 2010 and has visited the location of the incident and took statements from the victims. More than 100 witnesses, both Hindus and Muslims, confirmed the incident. According to their statements, the perpetrators are violent and constitute a threat to the local community and must be immediately brought to justice.

To this moment none of the perpetrators have been arrested. GHRD has collected FIR's, photographs, medical reports and additional documentation verifiying the violent incidents. A lawyer has also been engaged. GHRD will continue to monitor the case.

GHRD notes with concern that violence against minorities and intolerance persist in Bangladesh. In only a month, this is the third attack against Hindus that GHRD has investigated, which occurred as a result of a property violation.

Additionally, I was informed by GHRD that on the 20th and 26th March 2010 at least 15 perpetrators illegally entered ponds, property of Hindus and stole fish, which is a main source of income for the locals. One of the victims was physically assaulted. According to information gathered by GHRD, a police officer is involved in the unlawful acts. Furthermore, between 25th February and 3rd April 2010 the property of over 21 Hindus was violated and their houses were occupied by perpetrators, belonging to the Muslim population. Notably, in all three cases there are allegations for police negligence or even collaboration with the wrongdoers.

In light of the above, I strongly urge the local police authorities to conduct a proper investigation into this case, and to bring the perpetrators to justice. The allegation of involvement of a member of the Bangladeshi Army is particularly worrying and therefore I urge upon the local authorities to undertake all legal measures required in this case in order to establish the facts and identify the perpetrators. The victims must receive necessary legal assistance and adequate compensation for the damages caused, and their safety and wellbeing must be guranteed during the entire process.

I trust that you will take immediate action on this serious matter.

Yours sincerely,

(...)

PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:

1. Mrs. Sheikh Hasina

Prime Minister

Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh

Office of the Prime Minister

Tejgaon, Dhaka

BANGLADESH

Fax: +880 2 811 3244 / 3243 / 1015 / 1490

Tel: +880 2 882 816 079 / 988 8677

E-mail: pm@pmo.gov.bd or ps1topm@pmo.gov.bd or psecy@pmo.gov.bd

2. Mr. Justice Mohammad Fazlul Karim

Chief Justice

Supreme Court of Bangladesh

Supreme Court Building

Ramna, Dhaka-1000

BANGLADESH

Fax: +880 2 956 5058

Tel: +880 2 956 2792

3. Barrister Shafique Ahmed

Minister

Ministry of Law, Justice & Parliamentary Affairs

Bangladesh Secretariat

Dhaka-1000

BANGLADESH

Tel: +880 2 7160627

Fax: +880 2 7168557

4. Ms. Sahara Khatun MP

Minister

Ministry of Home Affairs

Bangladesh Secretariat

Dhaka-1000

BANGLADESH

Tel: +880 2 7169069

Fax: +880 2 7160405, 880 2 7164788

5. Mr. Mahbubey Alam

Attorney General of Bangladesh

Office of the Attorney General

Supreme Court Annex Building

Ramna, Dhaka-1000

BANGLADESH

Fax: +880 2 956 1568

Tel: +880 2 956 2868

6. Mr. Nur Mohammad

Inspector General of Police (IGP)

Bangladesh Police

Police Headquarters'

Fulbaria, Dhaka-1000

BANGLADESH

Fax: +880 2 956 3362 / 956 3363

Tel: +880 2 956 2054 / 717 6451 / 717 6677

E-mail: ig@police.gov.bd

7. Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG)

Khulna Range

Office of the DIG of Khulna Range

Khulna

BANGLADESH

Fax: +880 41 761300

Tel: +880 41 761823

E-mail: digkhulna@police.gov.bd