Monthly Archives: March, 2010
Inadequate publicity for the Right to Information Act, inability of the information commission and slow pace in making necessary rules and regulations have delayed implementation of the act, observed speakers at a discussion yesterday.
They were very critical of the government for not providing the three-member commission, responsible for implementing the act, with necessary manpower, logistic support and offices. The government is taking too much time to prepare rules and regulations, which are necessary for effective implementation of the act, they said. (more…)
South Asians for Human Rights (SAHR) vehemently condemn the action taken by the Government of Bangladesh to ban the photo exhibition of extra judicial killings in Dhaka. This is a violation of a citizen’s right to freedom of expression.
Hours before the exhibition was due to open at a special ceremony in Dhaka, Police closed down the Drik Picture Library on Monday, 22nd March 2010. The exhibition, “Crossfire,” by Shahidul Alam, features photographs based on Drik’s case studies relating to the alleged extra-judicial killings by the Rapid Action Battalion of Bangladesh. The reason for the closure of this exhibition, as stated by the police, was that the exhibition had no official permission to open and that it would “create anarchy”. From this day onwards police officers have been stationed at the gates every day to stop people from entering the exhibition. (more…)
By Iftikhar A. Khan
ISLAMABAD: The year 2009 saw a sharp increase in violence against women and religious minorities, while new incidents of enforced disappearance continued to be reported throughout the year from across the country, said a report released by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan here on Monday.
The report, portraying a dismal state of affairs, said that terrorist attacks constituted the greatest threat to fundamental rights of people.
The report, released at a press conference by HRCP Chairperson Asma Jahangir and Secretary General I. A. Rehman, said the principle that military operations against terrorists should not be carried out in a manner that they did not violate human rights of the combatants and non-combatants alike was not always observed.
It referred to various complaints about extra-judicial and revenge killings in the aftermath of the Swat operation. The most harrowing reports were of bodies strewn upside down with notes attached to them warning that anyone supporting the Taliban would meet the same fate.
The HRCP regretted that its suggestion to set up a parliamentary committee to probe these incidents involving mass graves had gone unheeded.
According to figures compiled by the authorities, only five Al Qaeda and Taliban leaders were killed in 44 strikes carried out by the Afghanistan-based American drones in tribal areas, while 700 innocent civilians lost their lives in these attacks, it said. (more…)
South Asians for Human Rights vehemently condemn the attack on the MTV/MBC office at Braybrooke Place, Sri Lanka on 22nd March 2010. The attackers forced themselves into the premises of the head office of the Sirasa media network while hurling stones and other objects causing extensive damage to the building and surrounding vehicles. Several members of the Sirasa staff have also sustained injuries due to this attack.
SAHR also notes with dismay and concern the many other attacks, murders and arbitrary arrests of media personnel during the past months in Sri Lanka. The increase in such acts and the pathetic attempts at investigation of these acts portray the level of impunity in the country.
SAHR calls for an independent unbiased investigation to be conducted ensuring that the perpetrators are brought to justice to face a fair trial. SAHR also underlines the responsibility of a truly democratic state, to protect media freedom, and thus call upon relevant authorities to ensure the protection of media organisations thereby preventing such incidents in future.
On behalf of South Asians for Human Rights
Dr Hameeda Hossain
Co-Chair SAHR
23.03.2010
Five organisations of ethnic minorities will march towards the Prime Minister’s Office today to demand institution of a judicial inquiry commission to investigate the attacks on ethnic minorities at Baghaichari in Rangamati and in the Khagrachari town and immediate arrest of the perpetrators.
Sajek Bhumi Raksha Committee, Sajek Nari Samaj, Pahari Chhatra Parishad, Hill Women’s Federation and Democratic Youth Forum will first gather in Muktangan and then march towards the Prime Minister’s Office at 10:30am.
The organisations will also submit a memorandum to the prime minister, said a release issued by Sajek Bhumi Raksha Committee.
Source: New Age, 22 March 2010
Two visiting members of the Japanese parliament met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday and urged her to fully implement the 1997 Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord.
They submitted a petition signed by 35,757 people from 105 countries and 12 autonomous territories. The statement also has peace messages from 2754 people including 1976 Nobel Peace Prize winner Mairead Corrigan-Maguire.
Naoto Sakaguchi and Mieko Tanaka, Democratic Party parliamentary members of Japan who arrived here on March 20, had an hour’s talk from 7:00pm yesterday with the premier at her office. Japanese ambassador to Bangladesh Tamotsu Shinotsuka and 3 others were with them. (more…)
Members on the Chittagong Hill Tracts Land Commission have censured the unilateral decision of the commission chairman to invite applications for settling disputes over land ownership in the three hill districts.
The members on the commission and ethnic minorities in the three hill districts prefer an amendment to the land commission law 2001 first and then inviting applications for settling disputes and finally conducting a cadastral survey. (more…)
| By Prashant Bhushan |
| When one examines the hopes and fears that one has from judiciary, it is necessary to define the role that one expects the judiciary to play in the country. Apart from dispensing justice in individual disputes brought before it, the judiciary is expected to be the guardian of the Constitution and is supposed to protect the fundamental rights of the people and implement the rule of law. This in particular means that that the judiciary is expected to protect the civil rights under Articles 14 (equality), 19 (speech, movement, profession etc.) and 21 (life and liberty), not just in the narrow literal sense, but also in the liberal purposive sense in which the Supreme Court itself has interpreted these rights. Thus, the Judiciary is expected to protect the rights of the common people of the country to a free and dignified life where every citizen is guaranteed the means of securing the basic necessities of leading a dignified life, such as food, clothing, housing, healthcare and education etc. The judiciary is also expected to ensure that the executive and the legislature function within their powers and do not encroach on the fundamental rights of the people. (more…) |
Bangladesh Rifles and the Indian Border Security Force traded gunfire for around three hours yesterday after the latter crossed the Jaintapur border in Sylhet and shot at the locals.
At least 15 villagers were injured in the BSF firing, reports our staff correspondent from Sylhet.
The border troops from either side fired over a thousand shots, forcing the villagers to flee their homes, said witnesses.
The skirmish took place a day after BSF intruded into Bangladesh, dug bunkers and retreated following a flag meeting.
Only three days back, the Indian frontier force assured their Bangladesh counterpart of no more shooting at the civilians in the border areas. The assurance came when directors general of the two forces met in New Delhi.
Some 40 Indians entered the Bangladesh territory through Muktapur-Jaintapur at around 10:30am. (more…)
The Indian Border Security Force yesterday came up with a commitment to remove their newly set up ‘border post’ inside Bangladesh territory and ’sub-post’ on Naljuri border in Jaintapur in Sylhet.
They made the fresh commitment at a battalion commander-level flag meeting with Bangladesh Rifles at Tamabil international check post, BDR officials said.
The BSF set up the ‘border post’ 120 yards inside Bangladesh territory and the ’sub-post’ on the Zero Line nearby days ago. (more…)
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