Bangladesh protests US sanctions against top security officers
3 years ago

Bangladesh protests US sanctions against top security officers

Firstpost  

Washington has imposed sanctions against the Rapid Action Battalion, which is accused of involvement in hundreds of disappearances and nearly 600 extrajudicial killings since 2018 Dhaka, Bangladesh: Bangladesh on Saturday called in the US ambassador to protest sanctions by Washington against its top security officers after seven people including the country’s national police chief were accused by the Biden administration of human rights abuses. Washington imposed sanctions against the Rapid Action Battalion, which is accused of involvement in hundreds of disappearances and nearly 600 extrajudicial killings since 2018. “We are determined to put human rights at the centre of our foreign policy, and we reaffirm this commitment by using appropriate tools and authorities to draw attention to and promote accountability for human rights violations and abuses,” said Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Bangladesh officials were quick to denounce the move, with foreign secretary Masud Bin Momen summoning the US ambassador “to convey Dhaka’s discontent” over the decision, his ministry said.

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History of this topic

'Sanction those behind heinous acts against minorities in Bangladesh': US lawmakers over attacks on Hindus
5 days, 13 hours ago

'Sanction those behind heinous acts against minorities in Bangladesh': US lawmakers over attacks on Hindus

India TV News  

Washington: Expressing a sense of urgency on the escalating crisis of human rights violations in Bangladesh, an influential American Congressman called on the US Departments of Treasury and State on Wednesday to impose and enforce sanctions on those perpetrating these heinous acts against minorities in the South Asian country. "I call on the Departments of Treasury and State to impose …

Report names former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Hasina in disappearances, recommends RAB shutdown
1 week, 3 days ago

Report names former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Hasina in disappearances, recommends RAB shutdown

India Today  

In a significant development, the Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearance has presented its interim findings, implicating former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and several senior officials in incidents of enforced disappearances. The report names several individuals allegedly involved, including: Former Defence Adviser: Major General Tarique Ahmed Siddique Former Director General of NTMC: Sacked Major General Ziaul Ahsan Senior Police Officers: …

Ensure fair legal representation for those detained, US urges Bangladesh
2 weeks, 5 days ago

Ensure fair legal representation for those detained, US urges Bangladesh

India Today  

The United States pushed for basic fundamental freedoms and human rights for those detained in Bangladesh, and urged the country to ensure appropriate legal representation for them. US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel, responding to a question on the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, Patel said on Tuesday, “We continue to stress and emphasise that even those …

'Bangladesh facing existential threat’: Trump’s ex-advisor Johnnie Moore on attacks on minorities
3 weeks, 4 days ago

'Bangladesh facing existential threat’: Trump’s ex-advisor Johnnie Moore on attacks on minorities

Firstpost  

Bangladesh is facing existential threat as interim ruler Mohammed Yunus is failing to provide security to the nation’s minorities, said Johnnie Moore, who served as the US Commissioner for International Religious Freedom during the first Trump administration Johnnie Moore served as the US Commissioner for International Religious Freedom during the first Trump administration. Johnnie Moore, an advisor to US President-elect …

UN to deploy team to Bangladesh to probe rights abuses, violations during mass uprising
3 months, 3 weeks ago

UN to deploy team to Bangladesh to probe rights abuses, violations during mass uprising

Associated Press  

GENEVA — The U.N. human rights office said Friday that it will deploy a fact-finding team to Bangladesh to investigate alleged rights abuses and violations through use of excessive force by security forces to quell protests led by students against the former government this summer. The office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said he had …

Bangladesh’s government led by Yunus signs UN convention involving enforced disappearance
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Bangladesh’s government led by Yunus signs UN convention involving enforced disappearance

Associated Press  

DHAKA, Bangladesh — Bangladesh’s interim government on Thursday signed the instrument of accession to an international convention of the United Nations aiming at preventing enforced disappearances as a state party, authorities said. Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, who took over this month as head of the government after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stepped down and fled the country to India …

'Strong indications' Bangladesh security forces used 'unnecessary' force: UN
4 months, 1 week ago

'Strong indications' Bangladesh security forces used 'unnecessary' force: UN

The Hindu  

The United Nations said on Friday there were strong indications that the Bangladeshi security forces used unnecessary force in tackling the student-led uprising that ousted premier Sheikh Hasina. "There are strong indications, warranting further independent investigation, that the security forces used unnecessary and disproportionate force in their response to the situation," the UN Human Rights office said in a preliminary …

Bangladesh interim government sets trail in killings during students' movement
4 months, 1 week ago

Bangladesh interim government sets trail in killings during students' movement

The Hindu  

Bangladesh's interim government on Wednesday said it will try those involved in the killings during the recent mass movement of the students against the Sheikh Hasina-led government in the International Crimes Tribunal. The murders conducted within the period from July 1, 2024 to August 5, 2024 will be tried by the International Crimes Tribunal," Law Adviser Dr. Asif Nazrul was …

U.S. will continue to monitor situation in Bangladesh, says White House
4 months, 1 week ago

U.S. will continue to monitor situation in Bangladesh, says White House

The Hindu  

The United States will continue to monitor the situation in Bangladesh, the White House said, emphasising that President Joe Biden is "consistent in speaking loud and clear" on human rights issues. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was responding to questions regarding calls from Hindu-American groups and Indian-American lawmakers seeking the US government's intervention in protecting the lives and properties …

Bangladesh police lob stun grenades to disperse march over excessive use of force
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Bangladesh police lob stun grenades to disperse march over excessive use of force

The Hindu  

Police in Bangladesh fired tear gas and stun grenades to disperse people who were demonstrating on July 31 against the excessive use of force by authorities during protests earlier in July that left at least 150 dead. That initial unrest earlier in July left thousands wounded as security forces fired rubber bullets, tear gas and stun grenades to disperse those …

'March for Justice': Bangladesh protestors back to street, demand UN probe as 200 killed in violent clash
4 months, 3 weeks ago

'March for Justice': Bangladesh protestors back to street, demand UN probe as 200 killed in violent clash

India TV News  

Bangladesh police fired tear gas and lobbed sound grenades on Wednesday to scatter protesters marching to demonstrate against violence that killed at least 200 people this month during student-led agitation against job reservations. "We requested the protesters to move from the road, but they didn't listen and instead attacked the police, forcing us to disperse them with tear gas and …

Sandeshkhali violence | NHRC issues notice to West Bengal government over human rights violations
10 months ago

Sandeshkhali violence | NHRC issues notice to West Bengal government over human rights violations

The Hindu  

The National Human Rights Commission on Wednesday issued a notice to the West Bengal Chief Secretary and to the Director General of Police, seeking a detailed report regarding the media accounts of the harassment and sexual assault of women in Sandeshkhali, by politically connected groups. Sandeshkhali violence | NCW chairperson seeks Mamata resignation, demands President’s rule in Bengal It has …

Thousands of opposition activists languish in prison as Bangladesh gears up for national election
11 months, 2 weeks ago

Thousands of opposition activists languish in prison as Bangladesh gears up for national election

Associated Press  

DHAKA — Fazlur Rahman died on a hospital floor with his hands and legs still cuffed, his son Mohammad said, his voice breaking while recalling his father’s final moments. “My father was with the BNP, which is why they took him,” Mohammad said, “if he dies, BNP’s name will vanish from our neighborhood.” The BNP has accused Prime Minister Sheikh …

Sanctions threat looms over Bangladesh’s garment sector ahead of elections
1 year ago

Sanctions threat looms over Bangladesh’s garment sector ahead of elections

Al Jazeera  

Garment manufacturers worry a one-sided national vote could lead to economic sanctions for the nation and them. Dhaka, Bangladesh — Weeks after turbulent wage-hike protests and subsequent factory closures, Bangladesh’s ready-made garment industry, a key revenue earner for the nation, is dealing with a new phase of anxiety: “possible” economic sanctions by the country’s Western partners. It was just a …

US concerned about possibility of growing Chinese presence in Bangladesh: Official
1 year, 2 months ago

US concerned about possibility of growing Chinese presence in Bangladesh: Official

ABP News  

Washington, Jul 25 : The United States is concerned about the possibility of growing Chinese presence in Bangladesh, a senior administration official has told the lawmakers. “We are concerned about the possibility of a growing Chinese presence in Bangladesh. Congresswoman Young Kim said the Chinese Communist Party is a top trading partner for Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Afghanistan, …

Bangladesh court jails prominent rights activists for two years
1 year, 3 months ago

Bangladesh court jails prominent rights activists for two years

Al Jazeera  

Adilur Rahman Khan and Nasiruddin Elan of the Odhikar group documented extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and police brutality. A court in Bangladesh has sentenced two leading human rights activists to two years in jail in a trial that critics say is part of a government crackdown ahead of elections. Both Adilur Rahman Khan and Nasiruddin Elan, leaders of the Odhikar …

UN ‘concerned’ by harassment of human rights defenders in Bangladesh
1 year, 3 months ago

UN ‘concerned’ by harassment of human rights defenders in Bangladesh

Al Jazeera  

UN human rights chief Volker Turk calls on Dhaka to create a ‘safe’ environment for activists and civil society leaders. The United Nations rights body has expressed its concerns against the continued harassment and detention of human rights defenders in Bangladesh, including Nobel laureate Mohammad Yunus and leaders of prominent rights organisation Odhikar. On Tuesday, UN High Commissioner for Human …

HRW accuses Bangladesh police unit of ‘rampant’ Rohingya abuse
1 year, 11 months ago

HRW accuses Bangladesh police unit of ‘rampant’ Rohingya abuse

Al Jazeera  

Rights group says the Armed Police Battalion is engaged in extortion, harassment and wrongful arrests of refugees it is tasked with protecting. An elite Bangladesh police unit is engaged in the “rampant” extortion, harassment and wrongful arrests of the Rohingya refugees it has been tasked with protecting, Human Rights Watch alleges. “Abuses by police in the Cox’s Bazar camps have …

Bangladesh’s RAB received foreign intelligence training in the EU
2 years ago

Bangladesh’s RAB received foreign intelligence training in the EU

Al Jazeera  

Despite being accused of forced disappearances and extrajudicial killings, the notorious Rapid Action Battalion was hosted in Poland and the Netherlands. “We are concerned that these governments are perhaps enabling the abuses that RAB has already been accused of and been found responsible for,” Human Rights Watch Southeast Asia Director Meenakshi Ganguly told Al Jazeera. “Diplomacy and development partnership …

Notorious Bangladesh police unit received spy training in the UK
2 years ago

Notorious Bangladesh police unit received spy training in the UK

Al Jazeera  

Despite US sanctions against the Rapid Action Battalion, members went to Britain to receive mass surveillance training. Several members of a Bangladesh anti-crime unit accused of human rights abuses travelled to the United Kingdom in 2022 to receive security training, Al Jazeera’s Investigative Unit reports. Members of the Rapid Action Battalion, a law enforcement unit dubbed a “death squad” by …

UK refusal to sanction Bangladesh ‘death squad’ revealed
2 years ago

UK refusal to sanction Bangladesh ‘death squad’ revealed

Al Jazeera  

The US and UK received the same evidence regarding the Rapid Action Battalion’s alleged involvement in forced disappearances and extrajudicial killings, but only the US decided to sanction the RAB. I was extremely disappointed when they failed to do so.” ‘Very surprising’ Cadman’s disappointment was shared by Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman, liaison officer at the Asian Human Rights Commission who provided the …

UN finds possible ‘crimes against humanity’ in report on China’s Xinjiang
2 years, 3 months ago

UN finds possible ‘crimes against humanity’ in report on China’s Xinjiang

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy China’s arbitrary detention of Uyghur …

U.N. cites possible crimes against humanity in China’s detention of Uyghurs in Xinjiang
2 years, 3 months ago

U.N. cites possible crimes against humanity in China’s detention of Uyghurs in Xinjiang

LA Times  

China’s detention of Uyghurs and other mostly Muslim ethnic groups in the northwestern region of Xinjiang may constitute crimes against humanity, the United Nations human rights office said Wednesday in a long-awaited report that cited “serious” rights violations and patterns of torture in recent years. The 48-page report says “serious human rights violations” were committed in Xinjiang between 2017 and …

Bangladesh scrapping rights group’s licence a ‘chilling message’
2 years, 6 months ago

Bangladesh scrapping rights group’s licence a ‘chilling message’

Al Jazeera  

Dhaka, Bangladesh – The Bangladesh government has cancelled the operating licence of one of its top human rights groups, in a move critics say is intended to send a “chilling message” to the rights defenders in the country. “This move by Dhaka sends a chilling message that the government doesn’t care about repairing its rights record and that it wants …

Rohingya in Bangladesh welcome US calling repression genocide
2 years, 9 months ago

Rohingya in Bangladesh welcome US calling repression genocide

Al Jazeera  

Residents in Cox’s Bazar district – the world’s largest refugee camp – hope the declaration would lead to more action. “It has been 60 years starting from 1962 that the Myanmar government has been torturing us and many other communities including Rohingya,” he said. “I think a path to take action by the international community against Myanmar has opened up …

For Minority Hindus of Bangladesh, It’s A Life of Non-Citizen Without Human Rights
2 years, 10 months ago

For Minority Hindus of Bangladesh, It’s A Life of Non-Citizen Without Human Rights

ABP News  

The oppression, victimisation and instilling of fear among the minority Hindus in Bangladesh continue unabated, with the government, rights organisations and international bodies turning a Nelson’s eye to them. Bangladesh's Hindus face a constant onslaught of government tolerated murder, rape, abduction, forced conversion, land grabs, and more, including a 2009 pogrom that took place right behind a Dhaka police station,” …

UN rights chief says response to Myanmar crisis ‘ineffectual’
2 years, 10 months ago

UN rights chief says response to Myanmar crisis ‘ineffectual’

Al Jazeera  

Michelle Bachelet demands quick restoration of civilian rule in the country almost a year after the military takeover. The United Nations human rights chief has urged world leaders to ramp up the pressure on Myanmar’s military rulers to cease violence against the country’s own people and quickly restore civilian rule. Almost one year on since the military seized power in …

Rights groups want UN to ban Bangladesh’s RAB from peacekeeping
2 years, 11 months ago

Rights groups want UN to ban Bangladesh’s RAB from peacekeeping

Al Jazeera  

Twelve human rights groups write to the UN to exclude Bangladesh’s Rapid Action Battalion from peacekeeping operations following evidence of widespread abuses. Human rights organisations documenting abuses committed by the Bangladesh’s Rapid Action Battalion have requested the United Nations to ban the unit’s members from its peace operations. In a letter to Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix made public …

Are sanctions on RAB a shift in US policy towards Bangladesh?
3 years ago

Are sanctions on RAB a shift in US policy towards Bangladesh?

Al Jazeera  

Experts believe there are wider implications of last week’s US sanctions against Bangladesh’s notorious paramilitary force. So far, Dhaka’s reaction to the US sanctions against the RAB has been visceral and sporadic, with Bangladesh’s foreign minister saying the US “possibly invited only weak democracies” to the summit and the home minister saying the sanctions against the paramilitary force was based …

Sanctions and rights: On U.S. move to sanction RAB
3 years ago

Sanctions and rights: On U.S. move to sanction RAB

The Hindu  

The U.S. move to sanction a paramilitary unit in Bangladesh, the Rapid Action Battalion, has apparently caught the administration in Dhaka off-guard, prompting a diplomatic pushback including Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen summoning U.S. Fresh on the heels of the U.S. President Joe Biden’s Democracy Summit, which Dhaka was not invited to attend, the U.S. Treasury said that as …

Bangladesh shocked by ‘unilateral’ U.S. sanctions on paramilitary unit
3 years ago

Bangladesh shocked by ‘unilateral’ U.S. sanctions on paramilitary unit

The Hindu  

Bangladesh reacted sharply to the U.S. Treasury’s decision to sanction a special military and police task force for alleged human rights violations. On Friday, the U.S. Treasury announced a designation and sanctions against Bangladesh’s Rapid Action Battalion force for “serious human rights abuse”, as a part of a batch of sanctions announced on International Human Rights Day on Friday, against …

Bangladesh protests US sanctions against RAB, security chiefs
3 years ago

Bangladesh protests US sanctions against RAB, security chiefs

Al Jazeera  

Seven people, including Bangladesh’s national police chief, have been sanctioned by Biden’s administration over alleged rights abuses. Bangladesh on Saturday called in the US ambassador to protest sanctions by Washington against its top security officers after seven people, including the country’s national police chief, were accused by the Biden administration of human rights abuses. “We are determined to put human …

Freedom of religion is human right: US condemns attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh
3 years, 2 months ago

Freedom of religion is human right: US condemns attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh

India Today  

The United States has condemned the recent attacks on the Hindu community in Bangladesh and said, "Freedom of religion or belief is a human right." Every person around the world, regardless of their religious affiliation or belief, should feel safe and supported to celebrate important holidays.” Read: Being Hindu in Bangladesh, and Jogen Mandal’s inglorious legacy | View “The State …

Bangladesh disputes study into alleged forced disappearances
3 years, 4 months ago

Bangladesh disputes study into alleged forced disappearances

Associated Press  

DHAKA, Bangladesh — Bangladesh on Wednesday disputed a Human Rights Watch investigation into disappearances of government critics and others as built on questionable, uncorroborated allegations that security forces were involved. She added in the statement that the study “conflates” what could be kidnappings with “government- Shahriar said Bangladesh investigates every reported disappearance, but that it “cannot, logistically or legally, give …

HRW calls for UN probe into Bangladesh ‘enforced disappearances’
3 years, 4 months ago

HRW calls for UN probe into Bangladesh ‘enforced disappearances’

Al Jazeera  

Human Rights Watch report identifies 86 activists, businessmen and opposition politicians who went missing in the past decade. The Human Rights Watch is calling for a United Nations probe into the alleged enforced disappearances of Bangladesh opposition activists, demanding sanctions on the officials found responsible. The rights watchdog released a report on Monday, identifying 86 political activists, businessmen and student …

UN Rights Envoy Warns Myanmar Against Excessive Use of Force
3 years, 10 months ago

UN Rights Envoy Warns Myanmar Against Excessive Use of Force

News 18  

Myanmar security forces and police have a duty under international law to refrain from using excessive force against peaceful demonstrators protesting against the military coup, a U.N. human rights investigator said on Wednesday. Thomas Andrews, U.N. special rapporteur on human rights in Myanmar, voiced concern at reports of security forces using lethal force. “Myanmar military personnel and police need to …

Rapid Action Battalion: Bangladesh’s notorious paramilitary force
3 years, 10 months ago

Rapid Action Battalion: Bangladesh’s notorious paramilitary force

Al Jazeera  

Since it was established in 2004, the Rapid Action Battalion, or RAB, has been accused of serious human rights violations and abuse of power. Since it was established in April 2004, Bangladesh’s Rapid Action Battalion – a paramilitary force – has been accused of serious human rights violations and abuse of power. End to extrajudicial killings Six months after RAB …

Bangladesh to bring in death penalty for rapists after weekend of protests
4 years, 2 months ago

Bangladesh to bring in death penalty for rapists after weekend of protests

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

Bangladesh considering death penalty for rapists as protests flare
4 years, 2 months ago

Bangladesh considering death penalty for rapists as protests flare

Deccan Chronicle  

Dhaka: Protests rocked Bangladesh on Saturday as hundreds of people took to the streets to demand justice after a series of rapes and sexual assaults that have spurred the government to seek capital punishment for offenders. Such incidents have surged in Bangladesh in recent years, with gang rapes accounting for more than a fifth of the nearly 1,000 attacks reported …

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