Amnesty urges Bangladesh to ensure protection of Hindus amid communal violence
Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka Tribune
Tribune Desk
Publish : 19 Oct 2021, 12:19 PMUpdate : 19 Oct 2021, 12:19 PM
Condemning the recent violent attacks on Hindu homes and temples in Bangladesh during as well as after the Durga Puja, Amnesty International has called on the Bangladesh government to protect members of the minority community against such attacks and ensure access to justice.
Saad Hammadi, the UK-based rights body’s South Asia campaigner, in a statement on Monday said reports of attacks by angry mobs against Hindus, their homes, temples and Durga Puja mandaps during the country’s biggest Hindu festival are “symptomatic of the growing anti-minority sentiment in the country”.
“Such repeated attacks against individuals, communal violence, and destruction of the homes and places of worship of minorities in Bangladesh over the years show that the state has failed in its duty to protect minorities,” he remarked.
Targeting religious sensitivities to fuel communal tension is a serious human rights violation and requires immediate action from the Bangladesh government to address the situation of minorities in the country, Hammadi said.
He urged the authorities to take urgent steps to protect the members of the minority community against such attacks and ensure access to justice and effective remedies for the victims.
“The authorities must promptly, thoroughly, impartially and transparently investigate the incidents and bring those suspected to be responsible for the violence and vandalism to account through fair trials,” Hammadi suggested.
Communal tension has gripped Bangladesh over the past few days following allegations of the Holy Quran being dishonoured at a Durga Puja venue on October 13 which triggered violence in several districts across the country.
Dozens of people have been arrested over the attacks and the spreading of communal hatred on social media during the largest festival of Hindus. Security was beefed up at places of worship and Border Guard Bangladesh troopers were dispatched to more than two dozen districts. The 10-day festival came to a close on Friday with the immersion of Durga idols.
At least four people were killed in police shootings during the attack on Puja locations in Chandpur's Hajiganj on October 13, and in Noakhali's Choumuhani, attacks on Hindu temples left two dead on October 15.
The government and law enforcement agencies have described the incidents as attempts to destabilize the country.
Amnesty urges Bangladesh to ensure protection of Hindus amid communal violence
Condemning the recent violent attacks on Hindu homes and temples in Bangladesh during as well as after the Durga Puja, Amnesty International has called on the Bangladesh government to protect members of the minority community against such attacks and ensure access to justice.
Saad Hammadi, the UK-based rights body’s South Asia campaigner, in a statement on Monday said reports of attacks by angry mobs against Hindus, their homes, temples and Durga Puja mandaps during the country’s biggest Hindu festival are “symptomatic of the growing anti-minority sentiment in the country”.
“Such repeated attacks against individuals, communal violence, and destruction of the homes and places of worship of minorities in Bangladesh over the years show that the state has failed in its duty to protect minorities,” he remarked.
Targeting religious sensitivities to fuel communal tension is a serious human rights violation and requires immediate action from the Bangladesh government to address the situation of minorities in the country, Hammadi said.
He urged the authorities to take urgent steps to protect the members of the minority community against such attacks and ensure access to justice and effective remedies for the victims.
“The authorities must promptly, thoroughly, impartially and transparently investigate the incidents and bring those suspected to be responsible for the violence and vandalism to account through fair trials,” Hammadi suggested.
Communal tension has gripped Bangladesh over the past few days following allegations of the Holy Quran being dishonoured at a Durga Puja venue on October 13 which triggered violence in several districts across the country.
Dozens of people have been arrested over the attacks and the spreading of communal hatred on social media during the largest festival of Hindus. Security was beefed up at places of worship and Border Guard Bangladesh troopers were dispatched to more than two dozen districts. The 10-day festival came to a close on Friday with the immersion of Durga idols.
At least four people were killed in police shootings during the attack on Puja locations in Chandpur's Hajiganj on October 13, and in Noakhali's Choumuhani, attacks on Hindu temples left two dead on October 15.
The government and law enforcement agencies have described the incidents as attempts to destabilize the country.