Justice in

Bangladesh

There is a bright

future in

Bangladesh

for people of all

backgrounds.

But recent

events are

worrying.

Recent Events: Statistics

As of December 12th

Disappearances : 75

Killed : 775

Injured : 58,251

[Odhikar]

Recent Events: Statistics

According to Home Minister, in four

years: 16,000 murders, 3,000

abductions/forced

disappearances, 50,000 cases of

repression against women.

Attempts of peaceful protest by opposing

civilians

but they face…

POLICE BRUTALITY

Mussallihs Attacked at the Masjid

•Even places of

worship are not

spared.

•Friday prayer

attendees are

trapped in Baitul

Mukarram Masjid.

Bangladesh’

s Central

Masjid

- Batiful

Mukarram

Pulling

Mussallih out

of prayer

And the Vicious Attacks Continue

MULTIPLE Police Officers Attack a

SINGLE Man

Man handcuffed, yet the

police continue to

torture

Another young man savagely

killed

Police shoots

instinctively at a

crowd of young boys

THEY SHOW

NO MERCY!

Plain clothed

supporting

party members,

join police

beatings of

opposing party

members

In the photo below,

businessman, Abdur

Rahman, unarmed, runs

from the police, but he

is fatally shot and killed

Handcuffed

and Beaten

Turns

violent due

to police

aggression

Censorship

•Lack of press freedom

•Opposition blogs and news sites have been

shut down and

•Opposition bloggers and jounalists have been

arrested

Shahbag’s

Demands are

Undemocratic

and is not in line

with rule of law.

National tension

because of the

International Crimes

Tribunal (ICT)

Crimes were committed in 1971 war

with Pakistan, but ICT trial has

polarized the country

ICT Trial is

condemned by

multiple

international bodies

for falling short

of international

standards.

Critics include

The UN, Amnesty

and others.

Glaring violations of

fair trial standards

became apparent in

2012 in the trials of

the International

Crimes Tribunal

(ICT), a wholly

domestic court

International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)

The primary purpose for this act was to try the 195 war

criminals, all of who were Pakistani Prisoners of War

(none were Bangladeshi civilians).

International Lawyers Working For

The Case Have Been Barred From

Entering BangladeshToby Cadman: "The human rights situation in Bangladesh

requires the urgent attention of the international community. There are

numerous matters that give rise to grave concern and whilst the

International Crimes Tribunal, Bangladesh (hereinafter: Tribunal) may

be considered one of the fundamental areas that require attention, it is

not the only matter of concern and the general breakdown in human

rights protection, encompassing arbitrary arrest and detention, torture

in police custody, enforced disappearance and extra-judicial killings

are widespread."

(Part of the statement submitted to the

members of the United States Congress)

John Cammegh: "But a trial now starting in Bangladesh risks making a

mockery of that principle [principle of international criminal justice]. Indeed, it

serves as a terrible warning of the way in which the ideals of universal

justice and accountability can be abused." (The New York TImes "In

Bangladesh - Reconciliation or Revenge?")

Along with, International

Lawyer, Humans Rights Watch,

Amnesty International and The

Economist, U.S. War Crimes

Ambassador, Stephen Rapp

also speaks up against violations

committed by the ICT

"Individuals that choose to

target the innocent for their

own political or whatever end,

who choose to kill and to

maim innocent men, women

and children, will face

consequences"Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJGYkIR_0Fw

Witness Abduction

Abduction of a defense witness from the gates of

the ICT court in Dhaka.

•The tribunal is facing political pressures from a

government that has become “absolutely crazy for a

judgment” (according to Nizamul) [Source: Economist 2012]

Skype Leak

Seek Peace and

Reconciliation

We should

stay away

from

revenge

politics.

History should not be repeated

Banning

opposition

party and its

institutions

are not in

line with

democracy.

And might have unintended

consequences of pushing

opposition to covert activities

and to

As merciless

brutality

continues,

protestors have

no option but to

defend

themselves and

fight back

Which can easily lead to

CIVIL WAR!

Many speculate that Bangladesh is headed

towards a possible civil war.

“I have left Bangladesh at the brink of civil

war!” (Bangladesh Analyst, Ajmal Masroor)

Civil War Can Lead To:-Negative effect on the economy because of:

Substantial costs on the domestic economy

Decrease in private investment

-More intensified dislike between opposing sides

-Loss of innocent people, land, business etc.

-A country split apart which eventually has to be

reconstructed again

Boycott of several

major newspapers

and television

channels and arrest

of journalist is not

line with freedom of

speech which is an

essential element of

democracy.

A fair trial

should be

seeked with

independent

judges and

foreign

observers

Move away

from the

lynch mob

mentality of

Shahbag

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Comment on news articles, op-eds,

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the issue

Search for the Petition on “Express

concern against the International War

Crime Tribunal and Mob Justice in

Bangladesh” and sign the Petition.