Dear Sir
Torture and extrajudicial killings in the form of alleged "crossfire
killings," were serious problems before the caretaker government came
to power, and have continued under its administration ::
http://www.hrw.org/reports/2006/bangladesh1206/
Other violations, which stem from emergency rules that undermine
basic due process rights, or the large number of arbitrary arrests
and detention without proper judicial oversight, are a direct result
of the caretaker government's policies. While certain restrictions on
some rights during properly declared states of national emergency are
permitted under international law, it is far from clear that the
measures under the government's emergency law are limited to "the
extent strictly required by the exigencies of the situation."
Bangladesh: Protecting Rights as Vital as Ending Corruption Press
Release, August 1, 2007 ::
http://hrw.org/english/docs/2007/08/01/bangla16556.htm
Bangladesh: Release Journalist and Rights Activist Press Release, May
11, 2007 ::
http://hrw.org/english/docs/2007/05/11/bangla15906.htm
Bangladesh: Elite Force Tortures, Kills Detainees Press Release,
December 14, 2006 ::
http://hrw.org/english/docs/2006/12/13/bangla14844.htm
Judge, Jury, and Executioner: Torture and Extrajudicial Killings by
Bangladesh's Elite Security Force Report, December 14, 2006
http://www.hrw.org/doc?t=asia&c=bangla
http://sotacit.wordpress.com/2007/10/16/everything-you-need-to-know-
about-general-moeen-u-ahmed/
These three, seemingly unrelated issues are converging to make the
lives of our citizens miserable. Since this military regime has taken
over inflation has been skyrocketing. This has been a direct
consequence of the actions and policies of this regime, in particular
the arbitrary arrests and the continued state of emergency. Now we
have been hit with a natural disaster and people's suffering is
multiplying.
General Moeen Ahmed has tried to take this opportunity to try to
blame the politicians for this suffering.
Most businessmen are either fleeing the country or their business has
slowed dramatically because their trading partners have. No one knows
who will be arrested next.
a dozen businessmen have been extorted by military officers. The
amounts demanded are staggering even compared to the corruption of
the last BNP-Jamaat government; 20, 30 even 50 lakh Takas (US $29,000
to $72,000) per instance. Slowly our fine military is being corrupted
again, just as they were during the terms of Generals Zia and Ershad.
All it takes is a few rotten apples.
Sheikh Hasina is being detained under the Emergency Powers Rule,
2007, not under the criminal code of Bangladesh. There is no due
process under the emergency powers. Right to bail and right to appeal
are denied and the detention can be extended indefinitely even
without a trial. Trials are conducted by special tribunals in camera
(only the judge is present, there is no jury and the proceedings are
closed to outside scrutiny) and summarily (normal procedures such as
conducting discovery are not allowed.) This is a violation of
international human rights laws, in particular Article 9 of the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.They are just
following Minus-2 plan.
Law Advisor Mainul Hossain claimed that the people will be
responsible if this government fails. The fact is this government has
already failed. They should either hold elections immediately or step
aside and hand over power to a constitutional caretaker headed by a
retired Supreme Court Justice. Bangladesh cannot afford this regime
any longer.
Thanking you
Habib
http://wwwjoybangla.blogspot.com/2007/12/we-want-fair-election-in-
2008.html
wwwjoybangla.blogspot.com
