Kathmandu: Nepali human rights and civil society activists expressed concerns over the state of human rights and use of unlawful force against student protestors in Bangladesh.
We have been deeply disturbed by the unlawful killings, possible enforced disappearances, and the torture and detention of thousands of people, and by the reports of targeted attacks, threats, intimidation, and retaliation by the authorities and government-aligned groups against protesters, political activists, human rights workers, and journalists, reads a release by activists.
Here is the full text of the statement:
Bangladesh: Unlawful Killings, Detentions, and Coercion by the Hasina Government Must End
July 29, 2024, Kathmandu
We, the undersigned Nepali human rights and civil society activists, have been shocked by the Bangladeshi authorities’ use of unlawful force against student protestors, amid 14 days of shutdown and communication restrictions, in what started as the quota reform protests. We have been deeply disturbed by the unlawful killings, possible enforced disappearances, and the torture and detention of thousands of people, and by the reports of targeted attacks, threats, intimidation, and retaliation by the authorities and government-aligned groups against protesters, political activists, human rights workers, and journalists. Given the extremely repressive nature of the Bangladeshi authorities’ response to the protests, we are alarmed and concerned also that the withdrawal statement by one group of student coordinators, made while in police custody yesterday, was done under duress.
We strongly condemn the ruthless crackdown on protesters, the deployment of the army, and the government’s issuing of shoot-on-sight orders. We also condemn the curfew and the nationwide shutdown of internet access, which continued for more than a week. Amnesty International’s verification and analysis of what little video and photographic evidence has come out of the country clearly shows incidents of the lethal use of assault rifles and pellet guns by law enforcement agencies against the protesters and the dangerous use of tear gas within an enclosed space. There has also been a clear failure to provide medical assistance to the wounded and, furthermore, attacks within hospitals by government-aligned groups.
The Bangladeshi authorities have shown an absolute intolerance of dissent. This must end and it is also high time that world leaders and the United Nations do everything in their power to end the violence against those who are exercising their right to protest. Furthermore, at a people-to-people level, Bangladeshis need our solidarity. The lack of this solidarity also made it difficult for the stories of government suppression to be disseminated outside of Bangladesh during the long period of communications shutdown.
We call on the Government of Bangladesh to:
· End immediately the violent crackdown, release all protesters, and ensure full accountability for human rights violations against protesters along with due process.
· Lift immediately the shoot-on-sight order, fully restore internet access across the country, and end use of the army and paramilitary forces in the policing of protests.
· Uphold the right to peaceful protest and freedom of assembly as enshrined in international human rights instruments and the Constitution of Bangladesh.
· Promptly conduct a credible, independent, and impartial investigation into all human rights violations committed by security forces, including the high death toll of protesters, ensuring that all those responsible are held to account.
· Provide full reparations by the state to victims of unlawful use of force by law-enforcement agencies and government-aligned groups, including those who have been injured and family members of those who have been killed.
· Ensure full restoration of internet and telecommunications across the country
Signatories:
– Abil Bista
– Ajit Acharya
– Arjun Dhakal
– Ashirbad Subedi
– Bhawaraj Regmi
– Bijaya Gautam
– Bikash Basnet
– Charan Prasai
– Dinesh Tripathi
– Dr. Gopal Krishna Siwakoti
– Hari Sharma
– Himali Dixit
– Jit Ram Lama
– Kanak Mani Dixit
– Manissa Taylor
– Nayantara Gurung Kakshapati
– Neetu Pokharel
– Nishant Jung Singh
– Prem Sapkota
– Purushottam Aryal
– R. K. Romas
– Raju Chapagain
– Roney Maharjan
– Som Niroula
– Sujit Saxena
– Sundar Seni
– Sushil Pyakurel
– Tika Prasad Dhakal
– Trilotam Paudel
– Usha Titikshu
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