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Dhaka HC asks govt`s clarification on attacks on Hindu minorities
A high court bench in Bangladesh has issued a rule, asking the government to explain within four weeks why it should not be asked to take proper steps to protect the country`s religious minorities from terrorist attacks and harassment.
A high court bench in Bangladesh has issued a rule, asking the government to explain within four weeks why it should not be asked to take proper steps to protect the country's religious minorities from terrorist attacks and harassment.
The court will hear on Tuesday the plea for punishment of persons, identified in investigations, for perpetrating pre and post-election attacks on the Hindu community and other incidents, following a petition by the state. The bench of Justice M A Matin and Justice Marzi-ul-Huq issued the rule on a writ petition filed by Ain-o-Salishi Kendra, a non-governmental organization campaigning for human rights in Bangladesh.
The petition stated that since announcement of election schedule for October 1 parliament election, the religious minorities came under various threats, attacks and persecution, and were subjected to looting of their properties. Women and children were also subjected to rape, the petition further said. The petition, citing its own investigation and newspaper reports, sought the court's directive to the home ministry and police administration to perform their duties in view of their failure to discharge constitutional obligations.
According to the writ petition, both the home ministry and the police administration failed to carry out their constitutional responsibilities by not taking necessary actions against atrocities committed against religious minorities. The court should instruct the authorities to take actions, the petition said.
It also pleaded the court to instruct the authorities to provide appropriate compensation to the Hindu victims of terrorism and sought an investigation into the incidents of atrocities to identify the criminals. The petition prayed for special protection of the victims, including the Hindus, of the ongoing repression and attacks.
Bureau Report
The court will hear on Tuesday the plea for punishment of persons, identified in investigations, for perpetrating pre and post-election attacks on the Hindu community and other incidents, following a petition by the state. The bench of Justice M A Matin and Justice Marzi-ul-Huq issued the rule on a writ petition filed by Ain-o-Salishi Kendra, a non-governmental organization campaigning for human rights in Bangladesh.
The petition stated that since announcement of election schedule for October 1 parliament election, the religious minorities came under various threats, attacks and persecution, and were subjected to looting of their properties. Women and children were also subjected to rape, the petition further said. The petition, citing its own investigation and newspaper reports, sought the court's directive to the home ministry and police administration to perform their duties in view of their failure to discharge constitutional obligations.
According to the writ petition, both the home ministry and the police administration failed to carry out their constitutional responsibilities by not taking necessary actions against atrocities committed against religious minorities. The court should instruct the authorities to take actions, the petition said.
It also pleaded the court to instruct the authorities to provide appropriate compensation to the Hindu victims of terrorism and sought an investigation into the incidents of atrocities to identify the criminals. The petition prayed for special protection of the victims, including the Hindus, of the ongoing repression and attacks.
Bureau Report