The
character at right represents the
Government telling human rights organisation 'Odhikar' (on left) to lie down in a grave.
Behind that is a grave marked "Deceased: Human
rights. Died in 2009"
In 1994, a group of human rights activists initiated discussions and
underscored the need to uphold the civil and political rights of the
people of Bangladesh along with social, cultural and economic rights.
Eventually, a decision was arrived at to form an organisation in order to
advance such rights.
Odhikar’s concern about
the proposed Anti-Terrorism (Amendment) Bill 2011
Odhikar is deeply concerned
to learn from the media of the proposed amendments to the
Anti-Terrorism Act 2009, approved by the Cabinet meeting on
December 26, 2011, which has widened the scope of the Act by
approving death penalty for financing terrorist activities.
The existing law stipulates that a person guilty of the
offence of financing acts of terrorism shall be sentenced to
not more than 20 years and not less than three years of
imprisonment. According to new amendments, as reported by
media, a person or entity will be considered a terrorist if
they harm or help harm another country while staying in
Bangladesh.
Students of the progressive student
society were injured in an attack from activists of Chhatra
League and Jubo League of Rajshahi University
On 10 September 2011, members of the general student of
Rajshahi University along with the Progressive Student
Society formed a committee named ‘Students Against Increased
Fees’ for the hike of the 1st year admission fees of the
2011-2012 academic session and the increasing rate of
residential hall fees. Under the same banner, all leftist
student organisations and the general students planned
different programmes to be undertaken to demand for
withdrawal of price hike.
On 14 September 2011, as part of the programme, all students
took a procession to the administrative building. They
continued a sit-in programme after surrounding the building.
Then in the presence of the police, the Vice Chancellor
arrived with members of the Awami League supported Chhatra
League1 and some Jubo League2 members to deliver a speech.
Later on, supporters of Chhatra League and Jubo League
vandalised buses and in front of the police, attacked the
students involved in the movement. In this incidence about
15 students were injured.
Dewan Shohidur Rahman Shopon
was tortured at Kaliakoir Police Station in Gazipur
Dewan Shohidur
Rahman Shopon (36) is the son of Dewan Mozibur Rahman and
Shefali Begum of Gosatra village in Gazipur. At around 2.30
pm on 19 August 2011, police officers of Kaliakoir Police
Station in Gazipur arrested him on suspicion over the theft
of a motorcycle. According to the complaint he lodged, in
order to get a statement from him, the police tied his
hands, hung him to the ceiling fan by his arms, and tortured
him.
On that
allegation, an official investigation team was created,
which found proof of the allegation and suspended the
Officer in Charge of the Kaliakoir police station.
Belly Khatun
was allegedly burnt to death for dowry
On 22 August
2011 at around 12 noon, Belly Khatun (21) was killed by her
husband Md. Anwar Hossain, brothers-in-law Ariful Islam
Dolon, Md. Ahsanul Islam Meno, father-in-law Md. Nurul
Islam, sisters-in-law Anjuara Khatun, Mossammat Sabina
Khatun, brother-in-law Md. Zoblu Hossain and her husband’s
uncle Abdur Sattar; who poured kerosene on her in the Batia
village of Shahjadpur Upazilla of Sirajganj district.
Belly’s father, Md. Yusuf Ali filed a case in the Shahjadpur
Police Station of Sirajganj as a plaintiff. The case number
is 21 and dated- 23/08/11, under section 11(ka)/30 of the
Nari O Shishu Nirjaton Daman Ain 2000 (Amended in 2003).
On 22 August
2011, police arrested Belly’s brother-in-law Md. Zoblu
Hossain and her uncle-in-law Abdur Sattar. At present, they
are out on bail. Belly’s husband Anwar Hossain is still
absconding and the other accused people are out on bail from
the Court.
Odhikar: 17 Years of Protecting
Rights, Freedom and Justice
Odhikar marks its 17th year of
formation on 10 October 2011, which is also the World Day
Against the Death Penalty Campaign against the death penalty
is one of the many areas in which Odhikar has dedicated itself
for last seventeen years. Created after the fierce movement
against military dictatorship, Odhikar as a network of human
rights defenders in Bangladesh, has earned its credibility by
becoming a part of the peoples’ movement to constitute
Bangladesh as a democratic state, ensuring liberty, rights,
justice and participatory governance. Odhikar’s core
commitments for human rights and rule of law; and against
discrimination, exploitation and impunity remain as relevant
as they were on the day of its formation. The struggle it
started in 1994 continues today, even more intensely and under
restrictive conditions.
[Read more]
International Day
in Support of Victims of Torture
Odhikar organised a discussion meeting at the National
Press Club, Dhaka and rallies in six districts
(Rangpur, Rajshahi, Khulna, Barisal, Chittagong, Sylhet) on June 26
on the occasion of the International
Day in Support of
Victims of Torture.
World Press Freedom Day is
observed every year on 3rd May worldwide. This is
the day to evaluate press freedom, create awareness
regarding the importance of an independent media and to
remind governments of their duty to respect and uphold the
right to
freedom of expression.
To observe the World
Press Freedom Day, these programmes took place in Barisal,
Khulna, Rajshahi, Rangpur Sylhet and Chittagong. Odhikar
organised rallies and submitted memorandum to the Deputy
Commissioners and Superintendents of Police through its
human rights defenders and local journalists. A discussion
meeting was also organised at the Odhikar office.
The Coalition for the International Criminal Court (CICC)
and the Philippine Coalition for the ICC (PCICC) organized the “Regional
Strategy Meeting for Asia and the Pacific” in Quezon City, The Philippines,
from 11-12 April, 2011, to form strategies to move forward support for
justice and accountability throughout the region.
[Read more]
AFAD's Concern on the Recent Rise of Cases of Enforced
Disappearances in Bangladesh
