New York: With no end in sight to politically motivated violence and other abuses in Bangladesh, authorities need to ensure their response respects the rights of all and avoids arbitrary use of force, arrests and disappearances, Human Rights Watch said Saturday. Over the past month, nearly 60 people have been killed, hundreds injured and thousands arrested across the country. All political leaders should give clear statements that their supporters should not use unlawful violence.
“All parties should cooperate to stop the cycle of violent crimes and ensure those responsible for all crimes are arrested and prosecuted,” said Brad Adams of Human Rights Watch. “The violent crimes being committed by some members of the opposition cannot justify killings, injuries, and wrongful arrests by the government.” The violence and clampdown by government security forces began in early January 2015, with protests to mark one year since the controversial 2014 elections which saw the ruling Awami League party win a landslide victory after an opposition boycott of the polls.
The government’s tactics to contain the violence echo previous violations including arbitrary arrests and killings as well as enforced disappearances. The current cycle of opposition violence, including deadly arson attacks, follows the same pattern as documented by Human Rights Watch a year ago when over 500 people were killed in the 2014 election-related violence.
