We are concerned by reports that senior members of the Barisal district bar association attacked a peaceful demonstration by local Christians protesting the encroachment of church property to construct a court building.
There can be no excuse for legal professionals behaving lawlessly. Some 14 people including ten women taking part in a human chain around the church and a journalist were injured when lawyers allegedly snatched their banners and attacked them.
Although police were called after the protestors took shelter inside the church, no one has been arrested and the land dispute at the heart of the matter remains unresolved.
Barisal Saint Peter’s Church was constructed in 1849 on 1.5 acres of land and has always included a large pond which is used by local people as well as the congregation.
The Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association District Coordinator says the local court compound already has sufficient land to construct a new building and on the face of it, filling in the water body used by the public is a violation of the Environment Act and public interest.
The government needs to look into this matter. If as locals claim, court authorities have instructed Barisal Public Works Department to begin filling in church property without proper authorisation and compensation, this needs to be investigated thoroughly. It is especially important because the appearance has been given that authorities have trampled on the rights of a minority community.