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At Trafalgar Sq.
22/7/2024 Protesting the killing of students in Bangladesh https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1243666970377984&rdid=vteIDNrCnkGEuV2K David Bergman on his
recent tweet Https://bangladeshchronicle.net/david-bergman-on-his-recent-tweet/?amp=1
With VfGB Executives Messrs. Mahidur
Rahman, Ohid Ahmad and Shamsul Alom Liton at the House of Commons (UK Parliament), yesterday
29.07.24, discussing the ongoing
'Killing of Students in Bangladesh' 29.07.24
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Rt. Hon. Mr. Anthony J. Blinken,
Secretary of State,
Foreign Affairs USA.
P.O.Box 321,
NewYork 10920, USA.
Subject: Appeal for an Impartial Investigation
into Human Rights Violations in Bangladesh
Dear Mr. Blinken:
29 July 2024
I am writing to draw
your urgent attention to the severe human rights violations in Bangladesh
following the reinstatement of a discriminatory quota-based recruitment system
for government jobs. On June 5th, 2024, students protested this decision, and
the government responded by labeling the protesters as anti-state traitors,
ignoring their legitimate demands.
Subsequently, threats
were issued by cabinet ministers and ruling party leaders. On July 15th, this
incitement resulted in a brutal attack on students at Dhaka University by
members of the Chhatra League and Jubo
League; student wing of the ruling party Bangladesh Awami
League (BAL). Female students, pedestrians, and even injured students in
hospitals were not spared.
Following these
attacks, a joint operation involving the police, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB),
Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and the military, accompanied by a nationwide
internet shutdown and curfew, led to further atrocities. Innocent and unarmed
civilians were targeted with heavy weaponry, including AK-47s and SKS snipers,
constituting a blatant violation of human rights.
The violence resulted
in the deaths of pedestrians, women, and children in their homes, alongside the
protesters, due to indiscriminate firing from RAB helicopters on government
orders. An atmosphere of fear has been imposed through enforced disappearances,
murders, and mass arrests, with thousands detained under false charges. We
strongly condemn these actions.
Currently, joint raids
by the police, RAB, BGB, and the army continue in residential areas, leading to
further harassment and arrests of innocent civilians. There are also reports of
police engaging in bribery schemes, detaining individuals and then releasing
them for large sums of money. The people of Bangladesh are living in constant
fear and uncertainty, with no security or hope for justice.
Given the historical
context, we fear that this massacre of students will not be properly investigated.
We suspect that any state-backed investigation will be influenced to protect
the government’s interests and the perpetrators.
In light of these
circumstances, we are appealing to the United Nations for a fair and impartial
investigation. We request that the UN investigate these murders under its
supervision to ensure that justice is served. We also question the use of
military vehicles and equipment intended for peacekeeping missions against
students and civilians, which appears to be an abuse of the UN’s resources and
principles.
During the massacre,
the internet was shut down, leaving the people of Bangladesh with the
impression that they were being targeted as if by a UN peacekeeping mission. We
seek a clear explanation from the United Nations regarding this matter.
The students and young
generation of Bangladesh are enduring severe hardships. Hundreds have been
massacred, countless others injured, and many are facing false charges.
Enforced disappearances, torture, and mass arrests are rampant, creating an
environment of intense insecurity.
We urge human rights
organizations to recognize the severe violations occurring in Bangladesh.
Women, children, the elderly, and young people who are
not safe. Crimes against humanity are being committed with the direct support
of government forces and pro-government terrorists. The current government is
creating an atmosphere of fear by imposing curfews, violating fundamental human
rights and forced disappearances.
We implore you to
monitor the situation in Bangladesh closely and take action to protect the
innocent people, including the students, who are suffering under these dire
conditions.
Thank you for your
attention to this urgent matter.
Yours sincerely,
Dr. Hasanat Husain MBE
On behalf of Voice for
Global Bangladeshis
Convenor : www.voiceforjustice.org/