Bangladeshi security forces committed serious abuses in 2005 including extra-judicial killings and torture of detainees, Human Rights Watch said Wednesday in its annual report. ‘The country’s human rights record, already of pressing concern, worsened as Bangladesh security forces continue to commit abuses including extra-judicial killings, excessive use of force and custodial torture,’ the US-based organisation said.The government does not dispute the deaths but rejects the term ‘extra-judicial killings.’ It says the killings are not unlawful because they occur when suspects resist arrest or are caught in ‘crossfire’ between security personnel and suspected criminals.
| "Just because they all take place at 4AM in a dark alley behind a deserted train station and the dead guys cadre always get away without leaving a trace doesn't mean it didn't happen!" |
The government came to power in 2001 with a mandate to crack down on lawlessness and claims that some crimes such as extortion have halved since the RAB became operational.
The report also accused the government, a four-party Islamist-allied coalition led by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, of fuelling the persecution of the Ahmadiyas, a Muslim minority movement.‘In January 2004, the government placed a ban on all Ahmadiya publications in response to an ultimatum by the Islami Okiya Jote (a government coalition partner).’ it said. Although the ban was later suspended by a court, the ‘BNP chose to save its coalition rather than defend the rights of the Ahmadiyas,’ the report said.‘Attacks on Ahmaidya homes and places of worship also continued in 2005. The government to date has not prosecuted any of the responsible individuals.’