Under pressure at home abroad, the government has reduced the number of
"crossfire killings" and taken the route of "undercover killings" in its
third year in office to reduce the heat it faces, according to human
rights organisation Odhikar.
At least 30 "undercover killings" -- or 'secret killings', according to opposition BNP -- took place last year, Odhikar said in its annual report for 2011.
The report said the state has taken the route of undercover killings "in the wake of national and international demand to stop extrajudicial killings".
The report based its findings on data provided by human rights activists from different districts and media reports, secretary of Odhikar Adilur Rahman Khan said on Saturday.
According to the report, there were 154 reported extrajudicial killings in 2009 after the Awami League-led government took charge. The number decreased to 127 in 2010, and 84 in 2011.
In contrast, abduction and "undercover killings" have increased alarmingly over the last couple of years. While only two such deaths were reported in 2009, the number jumped to 18 in 2010 and at least 30 last year, the report said.
According to Odhikar, deaths in 'crossfire' -- or gunfight between Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) or police and 'miscreants' -- decreased in the middle of last year. Almost eerily, the report says, the term "undercover killings" came to vogue and started making top news from that point on.
In most such cases, bodies of victims, allegedly picked up by plain-clothed law enforcers, were found in canals or roadside ditches. Most victims belonged to political parties, especially the BNP.
NOT INVOLVED, CLAIMS GOVT
Both RAB and the police, however, have repeatedly denied their involvement in such incidents.
Asked specifically about the increase of such 'secret killings', home minister Shahara Khatun had recently said that she was unaware of such murders and learnt about them only from media reports.
Refuting allegations that law enforcement officials were involved in these incidents, inspector general of police Hasan Mahmud Khandker claimed these abductions and killings were handiwork of criminals in the guise of law enforcers.
While he had stated that these incidents would be thoroughly investigated, not a single case has till date been resolved.
COPS INVOLVED IN TORTURE: ODHIKAR
"Allegations have been raised against the police over taking accused (persons) into remand and torturing them in the name of interrogation," Odhikar's report stated.
It said though the number of "undercover killings" is lower than that of crossfire deaths, the fact that innocent people being "tortured to death, mainly during remand in custody, is a shameful human rights violation".
"The government needs to urgently address (this issue)," it reiterated.
The organisation also expressed concern over increase in mob lynching.
According to the report, while people are aware of extrajudicial killings and human rights activists are continuously protesting, law enforcers are "encouraging mob violence".
The report mentioned an Aug 7, 2011 footage broadcast by private TV channel 'Shomoy'.
The channel showed how one Shamsuddin Milon, 16, of Noakhali was apprehended purportedly by the police, who then handed him over to the masses at Tekerhat Mor from the police van. The police then allegedly instigated the mob to kill Milon -- he was beaten to death, while the police persons remained mute witness, the report mentioned.
The police took away Milon's body after confirming his death.
The Odhikar report said despite compelling India to compensate for victims killed by its Border Security Force (BSF), "irresponsible statements" from the top level of government showed Bangladesh's "weak foreign policy".
It quoted Shahara Khatun as saying on May 29 about the killing of teen girl Felani on Jan 7: "Felani, who was shot dead by the BSF, was not a Bangladeshi but an Indian. (But) even then the government did a lot for the family of Felani… I personally visited their village home."
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN RISE
According to the report, 251 people were killed in political violence in 2009, 220 in 2010, and 135 last year.
Odhikar found contest over control of tender, extortion and fight over influence in varsity dormitories areas were among the major reasons behind these violence.
It found 711 incidents of rape, 516 dowry-related violence against women, and 672 cases of sexual harassment in 2011. "Lack of police action in providing support to the victim and a weak judicial system create barriers for women seeking justice," the report observed.
Expressing concern over blocking of public gatherings by imposing Section 144 of CrPC, the report said 2011 saw 103 such incidents.
"Complaints have been received that most of these incidents were initiated by the Awami League or its allies. In 2011, meetings have been obstructed across the country through imposition of this section of the law," the report said.
"The events of the last three years, and particularly 2011, proved that the singular ritual of an electoral process to vote for a party to rule…can be fatal to the life, liberty and livelihood of the majority," it said.
At least 30 "undercover killings" -- or 'secret killings', according to opposition BNP -- took place last year, Odhikar said in its annual report for 2011.
The report said the state has taken the route of undercover killings "in the wake of national and international demand to stop extrajudicial killings".
The report based its findings on data provided by human rights activists from different districts and media reports, secretary of Odhikar Adilur Rahman Khan said on Saturday.
According to the report, there were 154 reported extrajudicial killings in 2009 after the Awami League-led government took charge. The number decreased to 127 in 2010, and 84 in 2011.
In contrast, abduction and "undercover killings" have increased alarmingly over the last couple of years. While only two such deaths were reported in 2009, the number jumped to 18 in 2010 and at least 30 last year, the report said.
According to Odhikar, deaths in 'crossfire' -- or gunfight between Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) or police and 'miscreants' -- decreased in the middle of last year. Almost eerily, the report says, the term "undercover killings" came to vogue and started making top news from that point on.
In most such cases, bodies of victims, allegedly picked up by plain-clothed law enforcers, were found in canals or roadside ditches. Most victims belonged to political parties, especially the BNP.
NOT INVOLVED, CLAIMS GOVT
Both RAB and the police, however, have repeatedly denied their involvement in such incidents.
Asked specifically about the increase of such 'secret killings', home minister Shahara Khatun had recently said that she was unaware of such murders and learnt about them only from media reports.
Refuting allegations that law enforcement officials were involved in these incidents, inspector general of police Hasan Mahmud Khandker claimed these abductions and killings were handiwork of criminals in the guise of law enforcers.
While he had stated that these incidents would be thoroughly investigated, not a single case has till date been resolved.
COPS INVOLVED IN TORTURE: ODHIKAR
"Allegations have been raised against the police over taking accused (persons) into remand and torturing them in the name of interrogation," Odhikar's report stated.
It said though the number of "undercover killings" is lower than that of crossfire deaths, the fact that innocent people being "tortured to death, mainly during remand in custody, is a shameful human rights violation".
"The government needs to urgently address (this issue)," it reiterated.
The organisation also expressed concern over increase in mob lynching.
According to the report, while people are aware of extrajudicial killings and human rights activists are continuously protesting, law enforcers are "encouraging mob violence".
The report mentioned an Aug 7, 2011 footage broadcast by private TV channel 'Shomoy'.
The channel showed how one Shamsuddin Milon, 16, of Noakhali was apprehended purportedly by the police, who then handed him over to the masses at Tekerhat Mor from the police van. The police then allegedly instigated the mob to kill Milon -- he was beaten to death, while the police persons remained mute witness, the report mentioned.
The police took away Milon's body after confirming his death.
The Odhikar report said despite compelling India to compensate for victims killed by its Border Security Force (BSF), "irresponsible statements" from the top level of government showed Bangladesh's "weak foreign policy".
It quoted Shahara Khatun as saying on May 29 about the killing of teen girl Felani on Jan 7: "Felani, who was shot dead by the BSF, was not a Bangladeshi but an Indian. (But) even then the government did a lot for the family of Felani… I personally visited their village home."
VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN RISE
According to the report, 251 people were killed in political violence in 2009, 220 in 2010, and 135 last year.
Odhikar found contest over control of tender, extortion and fight over influence in varsity dormitories areas were among the major reasons behind these violence.
It found 711 incidents of rape, 516 dowry-related violence against women, and 672 cases of sexual harassment in 2011. "Lack of police action in providing support to the victim and a weak judicial system create barriers for women seeking justice," the report observed.
Expressing concern over blocking of public gatherings by imposing Section 144 of CrPC, the report said 2011 saw 103 such incidents.
"Complaints have been received that most of these incidents were initiated by the Awami League or its allies. In 2011, meetings have been obstructed across the country through imposition of this section of the law," the report said.
"The events of the last three years, and particularly 2011, proved that the singular ritual of an electoral process to vote for a party to rule…can be fatal to the life, liberty and livelihood of the majority," it said.
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