MPs condemn religious extremism in Bangladesh

International Bangladesh Foundation Patron Lord Dholakia Chair Lord Avebury 5 Mayfair Avenue. Romford. Essex RM6 6UD. UK Tel Sujit Sen 07766 704005 or Ansar Ahmed Ullah 07956 890689 Fax 020 8586 1098 Email admin@shadinata.org.ukor sujit7@hotmail.com www.secularvoiceofbangladesh.org We, the undersigned members of legislatures, Recognizing that religious extremism is threatening democratic institutions and constitutional guarantees of freedom of religion in Bangladesh, as well as fomenting hatred and violence towards minority ethnic and faith communities of Bangladesh, and towards secularists and secular institutions: Alarmed that the Bangladesh authorities have not only failed to stop extremist repression and violence, but have colluded with religious extremist groups to violate and usurp human rights of minority groups, namely, but not limited to, Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, Ahmadiyya Muslims, secular civil society members, NGOs, journalists and members of opposition parties: Deploring the government ban on Ahmadiyya publications, renaming of mosques and the burning of books and important historical documents which violates the freedom of religion and expression supposedly enshrined in the Constitution of Bangladesh: Regretting the state’s abject failure, despite clear evidence and warnings of intelligence agencies that fanatic militant groups are organising themselves, to investigate effectively and prosecute the criminals responsible for violent attacks and grenade blasts on leading members of the opposition, the British High Commissioner, arts and cultural events, members and institutions of religious minorities and others; Noting with concern the abuse of Islam, a religion of peace, for political objectives and the co-ordinated and orchestrated terrorist explosions, which occurred throughout the country in August 17; 1. Call upon the Government of Bangladesh to allow and authorize independent, comprehensive and transparent investigation by international intelligence agencies, in order to (i) to bring to justice the perpetrators and planners of violence in Bangladesh including the attack on Anwar Chowdhury, the British High Commissioner; Shah AMS Kibria MP, the former finance minister; and Ahsanullah Master MP (ii) to halt immediately extrajudicial killings and custodial tortures (iii) to bring to justice those responsible for attempting to assassinate Leader of the Opposition HE Sheikh Hasina by throwing grenades at the anti-terrorism rally being addressed by her on 21st August 2004, in which 24 people were killed and hundreds maimed. (iv) to institute an urgent impartial enquiry into the August 17 bombings and take effective action against the perpetrators. (v) to bring to justice those who smuggled truckloads of illegal arms (particularly those recovered from the government controlled jetties in Chittagong port, Bogra, Kuril, Budda ), including grenades, and to recover those arms which have already found their way into terrorist hands, and to publish a report on the origin of those arms, the persons and organizations involved in their smuggling 2. Call on the Government of Bangladesh to establish an Inspectorate of Madrassas and to close down those which are being used to incite the commission of criminal offences and communal hatred. 3. Demand that preparations be made and appropriate reforms instituted to ensure a free and fair election under a neutral administration, conducted by a independent election commission along with the interim government, to be chosen in consultation with the Opposition; 4. Urge the Government of Bangladesh to ensure the independence of the Judiciary, and to prevent and reverse party politicisation of the police, administration, the judiciary and other important institutions; 5. Call upon the government of Bangladesh to repeal the 5th and 8th amendment of the Constitution and the anti minority and racist laws such as the vested property legislation; 6. Demand the implementation of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord of 1997 and an end to the demographic transformation of the CHT under military occupation, 7. Remind the government of Bangladesh that in accordance with the constitutional rights of the people, Ahmadiyyas as well as all other communities and minorities have equal rights in all respect 8. Call upon the Government of Bangladesh to establish a permanent and independent commission for the promotion of ethnic, gender and religious equality. 9. Ask donors, including the World Bank, USAID, the EU and others, to concentrate on good governance, and in particular, on the maintenance of stable democracy in Bangladesh, based on respect for human rights, the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary. 10. Decide to establish an international civil society network to monitor the progress of Bangladesh towards compliance with international human rights standards, to make representations to governments and to the UN Human Rights Commission and to hold further meetings. Lord Avebury, UK Parliament Baroness Flather, UK Parliament Baroness Cox, UK Parliament Lord Dholakia, UK Parliament Baroness Whitaker, UK Parliament Rt Hon Peter Bottomley MP, UK Parliament Rt Hon Jeremy Corbyn MP, UK Parliament Rt Hon Simon Hughes MP, UK Parliament Rt Hon Robert Evans MEP Rt Hon Dr Charles Tannock MEP Hon John Bruce MP, Australian Parliament Hon Judi Moylan MP, Australian Parliament Ms Cecilia Wikstorm, MP Swedish Parliament Mr Thilop Hoppe MP, German Parliament

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