Date: Sat, 25 Jan 2014 11:56:52 -0800
171 Union Street, Ashland, MA 01721, Tel: 508-881-7765
_____________________________________________________________________________
Honorable James W. Wolfensohn
President, The World Bank
1818 H Street N. W.
Washington DC 20433
February 18, 2005
Subject: Political Killing, Failed Governance, Tainted Judiciary and
Unchecked Corruption in Bangladesh
Dear Mr. President:
We, as Americans of Bangladesh origin are deeply shocked and outraged at the sharp rise of fundamentalism, target killing and unchecked corruption in Bangladesh. We are pleased to learn that the 'Partners of Development in Bangladesh' under the auspicious of the World Bank have arranged a special meeting to discuss ever deteriorating law and order situation, poor governance, and virtually sold-out judiciary of Bangladesh.
For the last three years, target killing and rise of fundamentalism is becoming a nightmare in Bangladesh. In last August, former Prime Minister was targeted. Luckily she escaped death but 22 others were killed, 300 wounded. In recent days, a number of Opposition leaders that have excellent chance of winning elections such Shah AMS Kibria, Ahsanullah Master, Monzurul Ahsan, Ivy Rahman, to name a few have been assassinated. Many other Opposition leaders that have excellent chance of getting reelected such as Suronjit Sengupta, Zebunnessa Huq, Mayor Badiuzzaman Kamran, Dr. AQM B. Chowdhury (former President), Saber Hossain Chowdhury, Asaduzzaman Nur to name a few were targeted for killing. Such target killing may lead to more anarchy and subsequently, may lead to the end of 'multi-party democracy' in Bangladesh for which we all worked so hard for years.
Besides political killings, the rise of 'Bangla Bhai' and such other Islamic extremists that murdered a number of noted scholars and authors, for example, Dr. Humayun Azad, a professor of the Dhaka University, or Dr. M. Yunus, a professor of the Rajshahi University are gaining control. They are staging 'execution style' punishment to secularists and Mr. Bangla Bhai is a member of the Al-Qaeda operatives. Even the British Ambassador to Bangladesh was also a target of the fundamentalist and he suffered injury. It is sad that noted researcher and professor, Dr. Muntasir Mamun, reputed journalists like Saleem Samad, Shahriar Kabir, et al were jailed and tortured by government for voicing opinions against intolerance. Attempts were made to kill them. These are signs of extreme intolerance. More disturbing is the fact that the government is reportedly killing and eliminating without any judicial process those individuals that could provide evidence to bomb blasts or assassinations through its RAB, a newly formed police force.
It is interesting that whenever Khaleda Zia government comes into power, Islamic fundamentalists become dominant. For example, in 1991/92, nearly 74 young girls were stoned to death due to 'fatwa' by religious leaders. The Zia government did not take any action against the fatwa-baz, neither it took effective actions against trafficking of women and children.
I hope, you will agree with me [also with Elisa Griswold of NY Times 01/23/05 and Bertil Litner of Far East Economic Review] that 'fundamentalism and religious intolerance' is growing fast in Bangladesh because of ineffectiveness and indifference (indirect support) of the government. The Bangladesh Bar Council Human Rights Cell reports that there had been a total of 45,396 cases of human rights violations in Bangladesh in 2004 [which is double of 2003] including 5,113 murders, 814 rapes and 348 extra-judicial deaths under security/police custody. In fact, murders increased by 98% and rape by 42% in 2004.
A total of 156 Bangladeshis have been killed and 1,022 were wounded due to bomb and grenade attacks in Bangladesh but the government failed to charge-sheet a single perpetrator yet. Surprisingly, the lone charge-sheet that was filed by the previous government after a thorough investigation has also been withdrawn and scratched by the present Khaleda Zia government.
I know that Bangladesh government will deny its linkages with the killers. But have you studied and observed the public speeches and 'press notes' of the government leaders, its Police officials including the Prime Minister Khaleda Zia? Immediately after each bomb blast or assassination, they publicly state that such 'killings have been done by the opposition leadership' to create an issue. By making such statement, are they not encouraging the perpetrators to continue their killings? Are they not signaling their investigation teams not to 'find out the actual killers'?
The G-8 industrialized nations evaluated 8 variables that may identify whether a government is a 'failed government'. If we analyze the Bangladesh government in terms of those variables, it is a clear case of 'failed government' [see attached paper for detail]. It failed to protect the life and property of its nationals. No wonder nearly 20 American TNCs decided to leave the country and its inward FDI sharply reduced. We are afraid, if such trend continues, anarchy and along with it, the Jehadis and the Talibans will continue to grow. In that case, an impoverished country like Bangladesh with nearly 135 million people will be a headache for many. We and our relatives back in the country are afraid of terrorism, afraid of extra judicial killings, afraid of corrupt judges and government officials. Bangladesh is the most corrupt country in the world and its Prime Minister instead of volunteering to clear her name through judicial process, summarily dismissed 69 corruption cases against herself and her close relatives.
You will agree with me that NGOs (Non-government organizations) in Bangladesh have been playing a vital role of development, job creation and poverty alleviation. NGOs like the BRAC, the Grameen Bank, the Proshika et al have been a success story and a hope for millions. Regrettably their offices are being ransacked and workers are being attacked by fundamentalists. The present government failed to ensure their protection causing panicky and helplessness amongst NGO workers.
It is sad that a significant number of journalists have been mercilessly killed for reporting on terrorism and especially for exposing corruption of the ruling goons. Over 112 journalists have been injured within the last two years. Bangladesh has become world's most unsafe place for journalists worse than that of Iraq.
'Partners of Development in Bangladesh' has a responsibility to put pressure on the Bangladesh government to follow 'rule of law' and universal ethics, justice and fairness. We shall appreciate if your group sends a strong warning to Bangladesh government to do the following:
End extermination of scholars and political leaders.
Let the government declare the Jamati Islam party that is associated with most of the terrorist activities as a 'terrorist organization' and dissociate itself from it.
Let the government immediately stop all extra-judicial killings and an international investigation be set up to review all assassinations, bomb blasts, all extra-judicial killings under government custody termed as 'death due to heart attack and cross fire'.
International independent investigation may be set up to unearth the whereabouts of the truck loads of weapons that were smuggled into Bangladesh.
Development partners and the World Bank/IMF may like to consider placing certain conditions such as (1) improvement of law and order situation, (2) significant reduction of corruption, (3) upholding justice and prompt investigation of political/scholar target killings, (4) ending of extra-judicial killings, (5) ending political torture, harassment and human rights violations, (6) guaranteeing and creating congenial political atmosphere for full participation of the Opposition Parties in the nation building efforts starting with parliamentary participation and (7) full autonomy and independence of judiciary and national TV/news media as conditions of aid disbursement to Bangladesh.
Thank you.
Abdul Momen, PhD
Professor, Economics and Business Management
Copy to:
Honorable Proful Patel, Vice President, World Bank, South Asia
Honorable Robert B. Holland, Acting Executive Director, World Bank, USA
Honorable Yoshio Okubu, Executive Director, World Bank, Japan
Honorable Eckhard Deutscher, Executive Director, World Bank, Germany
Honorable Pierre Duquessne, Executive Director, World Bank, France
Honorable Tom Scholar, Executive Director, World Bank, U.K.
Honorable Marcel Masse, Executive Director, World Bank, Canada
Honorable Gino Alzetta, Executive Director, World Bank, Belgium
Honorable Chander Mohan Vasudev, Executive Director, World Bank, India
Below is our appeal to the lawmakers and governments that we took on January 17, 2005. We revised it after Mr. Kibria's death 0n 02/28/05.
Scholars, Stand Against Attacks and Extermination of Bengali Scholars, its Culture and Heritage in Bangladesh
Recent Developments in Bangladesh
In recent months, a number of reputed scholars, writers, teachers, columnists, intellectuals, diplomats and politicians have either been murdered or attacked in Bangladesh in addition to attacks on their cultural, religious and social events and destruction of heritage. Apparently, they are the victims of 'target killing'. Anyone who writes against Islamic fundamentalist view points, critical of Jehadis and argues against social injustice and religious intolerance are being systematically murdered or attacked. Such barbaric acts started with the murder of President Gopal Krishna Muhuri of Chittagong followed by attacks on Dr. Muntasir Mamun, a reputed author/columnist and a Professor of the Dhaka University, Shahriar Kabir and Saleem Samad, reputed journalists, followed by murder of Dr. Humayun Azad, a noted author and a professor of the Dhaka University. Most recent victim is Dr. M. Yunus, a respected professor of the Rajshahi University. He was also the Vice President of the Bangladesh Economic Association, a professional organization. It is more disturbing that when the University authority lodged a compliant with the local police, six faculty and academic administrators, including the Pro-Vice Chancellor (Executive Vice President) of the University have been threatened and warned not to pursue the murder case. Furthermore, the Bangladesh government reportedly reassigned the Investigating Police Officer.
In recent months, attempts were made on the life of former Bangladesh Prime Minister and the current leader of the Opposition Parties, Sheikh Hasina at a public rally in which 22 were killed including the President of her women wing and nearly 300 were wounded. Attempts were made on the life of a number of veteran and well respected moderate politicians like former President of Bangladesh, Dr. AQM B. Chowdhury, former Foreign Minister and internationally known jurist, Dr. Kamal Hussain, former Prime Minister's Political Adviser and Minority Leader, Suranjit SenGupta, former Planning Minister, Dr. M. Khan Alamgir, former State Minister, Saber Hussain Chowdhury, former MP, Ms. Zebunnessa Huq, and on the current British High Commissioner to Bangladesh. In addition, hundreds of public representatives, community leaders and journalists either have been killed, attacked or forced to leave the country. Highly respected members of parliament and opposition party leaders like SAMS Kibria, MP, Ahsnaullah Master, MP, Monzurul Ahsan, Ms. Ivy Rahman, MP, et al have been assassinated at public rally. Mr. Kibria is a pride of Bangladesh nation. He was not only a successful Finance Minister of Bangladesh he was also the Bangladesh Representative to the UN and was formerly the Secretary General of ESCAP. Unfortunately, the government failed to arrest any of the killers yet.
Just earlier this month, when the Bengal Studies Conference (BSC) was scheduled to be held in Dhaka, Bangladesh, for the first time in its 40 years of history, the participants received 'death threats' and were warned to stay away from participating in the conference. The BSC is a professional organization of Americans of Bengali origin. Many other Americans those who have interest in Bengali culture, heritage, history, economy, social and political studies also belong to this organization.
The Center for Research and Information (CRI), an institute that collects information on socioeconomic issues and publishes research documents/books has been closed down by the Government. The Bangladesh Government seized its research materials, documents, database and computers. Although the highest Court in Bangladesh has accepted a motion on behalf of the CRI to reopen the center, the judges are yet to make a decision on the motion. A few judges have expressed that they are 'troubled' [bivrotho]. As a result, CRI is now virtually closed for the unforeseeable future.
Background
Under the policy of appeasement, this is what the Nazis did in Germany before and during World War II and so did the totalitarian governments including that of Iraq and Afghanistan. The Talibans proudly destroyed the century-old Buddhists heritage and forbidden its girls to attend schools or sports.
The grim memory of the genocide committed by occupying Pakistani soldiers and their local collaborators in 1971 still horrifies many in Bangladesh. Like the Nazi Germany, the genocide of Bengalis was preceded by repeated attacks against their cultural heritage. The attacks against the Bangla language, its culture including killings of Bengali intellectuals in 1971, were all designed to substitute a thousand-year old rich and secular Bengali culture with certain fundamentalist principles. Fortunately, the creation of an independent Bangladesh has forever changed the dynamics of that plan. On the other hand, members and supporters of fundamentalist groups that opposed the creation of secular Bangladesh are becoming more and more politically active; and in recent years have started once again launching violent attacks against intellectuals including, poets, writers, newspaper columnist, and educators. They also destroyed and attacked many religious institutions; churches, pagodas, mandirs, temples and Ahmedia mosques belonging to different beliefs and faith. In addition, Bangladeshi girls and women have forcibly been denied participating in out door games including Olympic swimming and football competitions.
The Bangladesh Bar Council Human Rights Cell reports that there had been a total of 45,396 cases of human rights violations in Bangladesh in 2004 [which is double of 2003] including 5,113 murders, 814 rapes and 348 extra-judicial deaths under security/police custody.
In fact, once again security of life, liberty, research, scholarship and freedom of choice and opinion is at stake in Bangladesh. Like 1971, target killing is being used by the Islamic fundamentalist as a strategy to silence intellectual freedom and scholarship.
Following Dr. Zbigniew Brzesinski or Nobel Laureates Milton Freidman, Hans Bethe, Insidor Rabi, Harold Urey, or Eugene Wigner, we would like to state that 'although our governments may remain silent, we, as scholars and teachers, cannot'. It remains our duty to the fallen colleagues to express our sense of horror and we call upon our respective governments and lawmakers to express their horror at this systematic extermination of scholars.
The Resolution
On January 17, 2005, a meeting of concerned people of Bangladeshi origin was held at MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S.A. The meeting adopted the following resolutions:
(1) We call upon our respective governments and lawmakers to express their horror at this systematic killing of scholars.
(2) We urge the Bangladesh government to take necessary measures to punish the culprits and their associates. The government should also take effective steps to stop any further target killing and desecration of religious and social heritage.
(3) We request the U. S. and other governments and their lawmakers to take appropriate actions deemed necessary to stop such target killing and attacks.
For further information on the rise of fundamentalism in Bangladesh, please visit the following links:
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/23/magazine/23BANG.html?oref=login&oref=regi
http://www.mukto-mona.com/human_rights/write_to_bang_gov.htm
http://www.asiapacificms.com/articles/bangladesh_terror/
http://www.sabrang.com/cc/archive/2004/sep04/cover.html
http://www.mukto-mona.com/new_site/mukto-mona/Articles/shahriar/islamization.htm
http://mukto-mona.com/Articles/saleem/secular_to_islamic.htm
http://www.mukto-mona.com/new_site/mukto-mona/Articles/shahriar/ahmadya.htm
http://www.saag.org/papers11/paper1058.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3864783.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3714550.stm
************
Sincerely,
Abdul Momen PhD
Boston, USA
Date: Sat, 25 Jan 2014 11:56:52 -0800
171 Union Street, Ashland, MA 01721, Tel: 508-881-7765
_____________________________________________________________________________
Honorable James W. Wolfensohn
President, The World Bank
1818 H Street N. W.
Washington DC 20433
February 18, 2005
Subject: Political Killing, Failed Governance, Tainted Judiciary and
Unchecked Corruption in Bangladesh
Dear Mr. President:
We, as Americans of Bangladesh origin are deeply shocked and outraged at the sharp rise of fundamentalism, target killing and unchecked corruption in Bangladesh. We are pleased to learn that the 'Partners of Development in Bangladesh' under the auspicious of the World Bank have arranged a special meeting to discuss ever deteriorating law and order situation, poor governance, and virtually sold-out judiciary of Bangladesh.
For the last three years, target killing and rise of fundamentalism is becoming a nightmare in Bangladesh. In last August, former Prime Minister was targeted. Luckily she escaped death but 22 others were killed, 300 wounded. In recent days, a number of Opposition leaders that have excellent chance of winning elections such Shah AMS Kibria, Ahsanullah Master, Monzurul Ahsan, Ivy Rahman, to name a few have been assassinated. Many other Opposition leaders that have excellent chance of getting reelected such as Suronjit Sengupta, Zebunnessa Huq, Mayor Badiuzzaman Kamran, Dr. AQM B. Chowdhury (former President), Saber Hossain Chowdhury, Asaduzzaman Nur to name a few were targeted for killing. Such target killing may lead to more anarchy and subsequently, may lead to the end of 'multi-party democracy' in Bangladesh for which we all worked so hard for years.
Besides political killings, the rise of 'Bangla Bhai' and such other Islamic extremists that murdered a number of noted scholars and authors, for example, Dr. Humayun Azad, a professor of the Dhaka University, or Dr. M. Yunus, a professor of the Rajshahi University are gaining control. They are staging 'execution style' punishment to secularists and Mr. Bangla Bhai is a member of the Al-Qaeda operatives. Even the British Ambassador to Bangladesh was also a target of the fundamentalist and he suffered injury. It is sad that noted researcher and professor, Dr. Muntasir Mamun, reputed journalists like Saleem Samad, Shahriar Kabir, et al were jailed and tortured by government for voicing opinions against intolerance. Attempts were made to kill them. These are signs of extreme intolerance. More disturbing is the fact that the government is reportedly killing and eliminating without any judicial process those individuals that could provide evidence to bomb blasts or assassinations through its RAB, a newly formed police force.
It is interesting that whenever Khaleda Zia government comes into power, Islamic fundamentalists become dominant. For example, in 1991/92, nearly 74 young girls were stoned to death due to 'fatwa' by religious leaders. The Zia government did not take any action against the fatwa-baz, neither it took effective actions against trafficking of women and children.
I hope, you will agree with me [also with Elisa Griswold of NY Times 01/23/05 and Bertil Litner of Far East Economic Review] that 'fundamentalism and religious intolerance' is growing fast in Bangladesh because of ineffectiveness and indifference (indirect support) of the government. The Bangladesh Bar Council Human Rights Cell reports that there had been a total of 45,396 cases of human rights violations in Bangladesh in 2004 [which is double of 2003] including 5,113 murders, 814 rapes and 348 extra-judicial deaths under security/police custody. In fact, murders increased by 98% and rape by 42% in 2004.
A total of 156 Bangladeshis have been killed and 1,022 were wounded due to bomb and grenade attacks in Bangladesh but the government failed to charge-sheet a single perpetrator yet. Surprisingly, the lone charge-sheet that was filed by the previous government after a thorough investigation has also been withdrawn and scratched by the present Khaleda Zia government.
I know that Bangladesh government will deny its linkages with the killers. But have you studied and observed the public speeches and 'press notes' of the government leaders, its Police officials including the Prime Minister Khaleda Zia? Immediately after each bomb blast or assassination, they publicly state that such 'killings have been done by the opposition leadership' to create an issue. By making such statement, are they not encouraging the perpetrators to continue their killings? Are they not signaling their investigation teams not to 'find out the actual killers'?
The G-8 industrialized nations evaluated 8 variables that may identify whether a government is a 'failed government'. If we analyze the Bangladesh government in terms of those variables, it is a clear case of 'failed government' [see attached paper for detail]. It failed to protect the life and property of its nationals. No wonder nearly 20 American TNCs decided to leave the country and its inward FDI sharply reduced. We are afraid, if such trend continues, anarchy and along with it, the Jehadis and the Talibans will continue to grow. In that case, an impoverished country like Bangladesh with nearly 135 million people will be a headache for many. We and our relatives back in the country are afraid of terrorism, afraid of extra judicial killings, afraid of corrupt judges and government officials. Bangladesh is the most corrupt country in the world and its Prime Minister instead of volunteering to clear her name through judicial process, summarily dismissed 69 corruption cases against herself and her close relatives.
You will agree with me that NGOs (Non-government organizations) in Bangladesh have been playing a vital role of development, job creation and poverty alleviation. NGOs like the BRAC, the Grameen Bank, the Proshika et al have been a success story and a hope for millions. Regrettably their offices are being ransacked and workers are being attacked by fundamentalists. The present government failed to ensure their protection causing panicky and helplessness amongst NGO workers.
It is sad that a significant number of journalists have been mercilessly killed for reporting on terrorism and especially for exposing corruption of the ruling goons. Over 112 journalists have been injured within the last two years. Bangladesh has become world's most unsafe place for journalists worse than that of Iraq.
'Partners of Development in Bangladesh' has a responsibility to put pressure on the Bangladesh government to follow 'rule of law' and universal ethics, justice and fairness. We shall appreciate if your group sends a strong warning to Bangladesh government to do the following:
End extermination of scholars and political leaders.
Let the government declare the Jamati Islam party that is associated with most of the terrorist activities as a 'terrorist organization' and dissociate itself from it.
Let the government immediately stop all extra-judicial killings and an international investigation be set up to review all assassinations, bomb blasts, all extra-judicial killings under government custody termed as 'death due to heart attack and cross fire'.
International independent investigation may be set up to unearth the whereabouts of the truck loads of weapons that were smuggled into Bangladesh.
Development partners and the World Bank/IMF may like to consider placing certain conditions such as (1) improvement of law and order situation, (2) significant reduction of corruption, (3) upholding justice and prompt investigation of political/scholar target killings, (4) ending of extra-judicial killings, (5) ending political torture, harassment and human rights violations, (6) guaranteeing and creating congenial political atmosphere for full participation of the Opposition Parties in the nation building efforts starting with parliamentary participation and (7) full autonomy and independence of judiciary and national TV/news media as conditions of aid disbursement to Bangladesh.
Thank you.
Abdul Momen, PhD
Professor, Economics and Business Management
Copy to:
Honorable Proful Patel, Vice President, World Bank, South Asia
Honorable Robert B. Holland, Acting Executive Director, World Bank, USA
Honorable Yoshio Okubu, Executive Director, World Bank, Japan
Honorable Eckhard Deutscher, Executive Director, World Bank, Germany
Honorable Pierre Duquessne, Executive Director, World Bank, France
Honorable Tom Scholar, Executive Director, World Bank, U.K.
Honorable Marcel Masse, Executive Director, World Bank, Canada
Honorable Gino Alzetta, Executive Director, World Bank, Belgium
Honorable Chander Mohan Vasudev, Executive Director, World Bank, India
Below is our appeal to the lawmakers and governments that we took on January 17, 2005. We revised it after Mr. Kibria's death 0n 02/28/05.
Scholars, Stand Against Attacks and Extermination of Bengali Scholars, its Culture and Heritage in Bangladesh
Recent Developments in Bangladesh
In recent months, a number of reputed scholars, writers, teachers, columnists, intellectuals, diplomats and politicians have either been murdered or attacked in Bangladesh in addition to attacks on their cultural, religious and social events and destruction of heritage. Apparently, they are the victims of 'target killing'. Anyone who writes against Islamic fundamentalist view points, critical of Jehadis and argues against social injustice and religious intolerance are being systematically murdered or attacked. Such barbaric acts started with the murder of President Gopal Krishna Muhuri of Chittagong followed by attacks on Dr. Muntasir Mamun, a reputed author/columnist and a Professor of the Dhaka University, Shahriar Kabir and Saleem Samad, reputed journalists, followed by murder of Dr. Humayun Azad, a noted author and a professor of the Dhaka University. Most recent victim is Dr. M. Yunus, a respected professor of the Rajshahi University. He was also the Vice President of the Bangladesh Economic Association, a professional organization. It is more disturbing that when the University authority lodged a compliant with the local police, six faculty and academic administrators, including the Pro-Vice Chancellor (Executive Vice President) of the University have been threatened and warned not to pursue the murder case. Furthermore, the Bangladesh government reportedly reassigned the Investigating Police Officer.
In recent months, attempts were made on the life of former Bangladesh Prime Minister and the current leader of the Opposition Parties, Sheikh Hasina at a public rally in which 22 were killed including the President of her women wing and nearly 300 were wounded. Attempts were made on the life of a number of veteran and well respected moderate politicians like former President of Bangladesh, Dr. AQM B. Chowdhury, former Foreign Minister and internationally known jurist, Dr. Kamal Hussain, former Prime Minister's Political Adviser and Minority Leader, Suranjit SenGupta, former Planning Minister, Dr. M. Khan Alamgir, former State Minister, Saber Hussain Chowdhury, former MP, Ms. Zebunnessa Huq, and on the current British High Commissioner to Bangladesh. In addition, hundreds of public representatives, community leaders and journalists either have been killed, attacked or forced to leave the country. Highly respected members of parliament and opposition party leaders like SAMS Kibria, MP, Ahsnaullah Master, MP, Monzurul Ahsan, Ms. Ivy Rahman, MP, et al have been assassinated at public rally. Mr. Kibria is a pride of Bangladesh nation. He was not only a successful Finance Minister of Bangladesh he was also the Bangladesh Representative to the UN and was formerly the Secretary General of ESCAP. Unfortunately, the government failed to arrest any of the killers yet.
Just earlier this month, when the Bengal Studies Conference (BSC) was scheduled to be held in Dhaka, Bangladesh, for the first time in its 40 years of history, the participants received 'death threats' and were warned to stay away from participating in the conference. The BSC is a professional organization of Americans of Bengali origin. Many other Americans those who have interest in Bengali culture, heritage, history, economy, social and political studies also belong to this organization.
The Center for Research and Information (CRI), an institute that collects information on socioeconomic issues and publishes research documents/books has been closed down by the Government. The Bangladesh Government seized its research materials, documents, database and computers. Although the highest Court in Bangladesh has accepted a motion on behalf of the CRI to reopen the center, the judges are yet to make a decision on the motion. A few judges have expressed that they are 'troubled' [bivrotho]. As a result, CRI is now virtually closed for the unforeseeable future.
Background
Under the policy of appeasement, this is what the Nazis did in Germany before and during World War II and so did the totalitarian governments including that of Iraq and Afghanistan. The Talibans proudly destroyed the century-old Buddhists heritage and forbidden its girls to attend schools or sports.
The grim memory of the genocide committed by occupying Pakistani soldiers and their local collaborators in 1971 still horrifies many in Bangladesh. Like the Nazi Germany, the genocide of Bengalis was preceded by repeated attacks against their cultural heritage. The attacks against the Bangla language, its culture including killings of Bengali intellectuals in 1971, were all designed to substitute a thousand-year old rich and secular Bengali culture with certain fundamentalist principles. Fortunately, the creation of an independent Bangladesh has forever changed the dynamics of that plan. On the other hand, members and supporters of fundamentalist groups that opposed the creation of secular Bangladesh are becoming more and more politically active; and in recent years have started once again launching violent attacks against intellectuals including, poets, writers, newspaper columnist, and educators. They also destroyed and attacked many religious institutions; churches, pagodas, mandirs, temples and Ahmedia mosques belonging to different beliefs and faith. In addition, Bangladeshi girls and women have forcibly been denied participating in out door games including Olympic swimming and football competitions.
The Bangladesh Bar Council Human Rights Cell reports that there had been a total of 45,396 cases of human rights violations in Bangladesh in 2004 [which is double of 2003] including 5,113 murders, 814 rapes and 348 extra-judicial deaths under security/police custody.
In fact, once again security of life, liberty, research, scholarship and freedom of choice and opinion is at stake in Bangladesh. Like 1971, target killing is being used by the Islamic fundamentalist as a strategy to silence intellectual freedom and scholarship.
Following Dr. Zbigniew Brzesinski or Nobel Laureates Milton Freidman, Hans Bethe, Insidor Rabi, Harold Urey, or Eugene Wigner, we would like to state that 'although our governments may remain silent, we, as scholars and teachers, cannot'. It remains our duty to the fallen colleagues to express our sense of horror and we call upon our respective governments and lawmakers to express their horror at this systematic extermination of scholars.
The Resolution
On January 17, 2005, a meeting of concerned people of Bangladeshi origin was held at MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S.A. The meeting adopted the following resolutions:
(1) We call upon our respective governments and lawmakers to express their horror at this systematic killing of scholars.
(2) We urge the Bangladesh government to take necessary measures to punish the culprits and their associates. The government should also take effective steps to stop any further target killing and desecration of religious and social heritage.
(3) We request the U. S. and other governments and their lawmakers to take appropriate actions deemed necessary to stop such target killing and attacks.
For further information on the rise of fundamentalism in Bangladesh, please visit the following links:
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/23/magazine/23BANG.html?oref=login&oref=regi
http://www.mukto-mona.com/human_rights/write_to_bang_gov.htm
http://www.asiapacificms.com/articles/bangladesh_terror/
http://www.sabrang.com/cc/archive/2004/sep04/cover.html
http://www.mukto-mona.com/new_site/mukto-mona/Articles/shahriar/islamization.htm
http://mukto-mona.com/Articles/saleem/secular_to_islamic.htm
http://www.mukto-mona.com/new_site/mukto-mona/Articles/shahriar/ahmadya.htm
http://www.saag.org/papers11/paper1058.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3864783.stm
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3714550.stm
************
Sincerely,
Abdul Momen PhD
Boston, USA
From: anis.ahmed@netzero.net
Date: Thu, 23 Jan 2014 03:15:53 +0000
To: Bangladesh-Zindabad@yahoogroups.com; bangla-vision@yahoogroups.com; reform-bd@yahoogroups.com; notun_bangladesh@yahoogroups.com; WideMinds@yahoogroups.com; banglapress@gmail.com; noreply@googlegroups.com; Diagnose@yahoogroups.com; alapon@yahoogroups.com; chottala@yahoogroups.com; bangladeshiAmericans@googlegroups.com; progressive_muslim@yahoo.com; bangladesh-progressives@googlegroups.com; history_islam@yahoogroups.com; dahuk@yahoogroups.com; mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com; sonarbangladesh@yahoogroups.com; alochona@yahoogroups.com; prio_bangla@yahoo.com; alochona@yahoogroups.com
Subject: ভারতীয় অনুপ ;্রবেশকারীর ;াই বাংলাদেø 6;কে ধ্বংস কর 459;েঃ একটি গোয়& #2503;ন্দা প্রতি বেদনভারতীয় অনুপ্রবেশকারীরাই বাংলাদেশকে ধ্বংস করছেঃ একটি গোয়েন্দা প্রতিবেদন
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Mukto Mona plans for a Grand Darwin Day Celebration:
Call For Articles:
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http://mukto-mona.com/banga_blog/?p=585
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"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it".
-Beatrice Hall [pseudonym: S.G. Tallentyre], 190
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Sunday, February 2, 2014
[mukto-mona] Fw REVEALED: Dr. Momen's petition to World Bank to STOP LOANS/gran ts to Bangladesh.
Re: [mukto-mona] বাংলাদেশের মাটি থেকে বিদায় - খালেদা জিয়া বিএনপি জামায়াত সবাইকে বিদায় বাংলাদেশের মাটি থেকে !
Unfortunately, we have quite a few people with guns but no safeguards to protect common people from them. Sadly our police at times protects those people than common people.
So you are comparing apples and oranges and your solution will be disastrous to our emotional people, who often lose senses over sensational political bull crap.
if he/she pass background checks. In spite of that, not too many people own gun. Good thing about it is that – criminals do not know who owns gun or who does not; this serves as a deterrent to the petty crimes.
>>>>>>>> These are NRA (American national rifles association) crap. If this was the solution Iraq, Lebanon, Syria would have been heaven on earth.
I was just alluding to the benefit of having the law in place.
>>>>>>>>> Well I have been saying the same. Until we establish law and order in our country, we cannot expect any quick fix will work.
You talk about Muslim victims of land-grabbing; this is the result of the VIP culture in our societ
>>>>>>>>>>>> Well as a result both Hindus and Muslims (Law abiding once) suffer at the end of the day.
it needs much more than just having the right to own a gun, but it is a starting point.
>>>>>>>>>> Nope having more guns may be "Ending point". With accountability and proper safeguards, you may see resembles of Afghanistan sooner with guns. Remember we are the country who are STILL issuing "Mukti-joddha certificates" to many non-Mukti-joddas for money (Couple of days ago this report came out). We also give our many DLs (Driver Licenses) for money which causes many deaths on road every year. Imagine what will happen if guns are so readily available without safeguards.
Please do not extrapolate my vision to manipulate it into wrong direction.
>>>>>>> I am only sharing what will follow if we pick your direction (It look more like destruction to me).
I am not that stupid to suggest arming religious minorities only. That will be a death-wish for the religious minorities and for the country.
>>>>>>>>>> I am sure you are smarter than how you present yourself here. I only commented on YOUR post.
>>>>>>>>>> It will much better, if you sit with ALL political parties and DEMAND your rights. This is a logical starting point. In a democratic country, voters have some power. So first we have to protect rule of law and democracy in our land. Then peacefully demand our basic right to live in a secured country. Once we stand united and say it enough times, things will change.
Shalom!
From: Jiten Roy <jnrsr53@yahoo.com>
To: mukto-mona <mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sun, Feb 2, 2014 9:21 am
Subject: Re: [mukto-mona] বাংলাদেশের মাটি থেকে বিদায় - খালেদা জিয়া বিএনপি জামায়াত সবাইকে বিদায় বাংলাদেশের মাটি থেকে !
These attacks are not about religion,it is politics.
So you failed to understand the foundation of this problem.
Common Hindus suffer from two problems. One is they feel somehow India will help them (Not physically but at least by talking on their behalf with political parties) but India never had any worries about these Hindus (Mainly lower caste communities). Muslim population also used have this utopia about Pakistan and we know how that ended.
Secondly, our Hindu leaders rarely (There are some fine exceptions) do the right thing for their community members. More than often they try to extract "Political points" from these clashes around election time. Even BJP of India made some noise and within days muted (This is an election year after all).
Lastly the problem ALL of us suffer from is lawlessness. I was shocked to hear how little protection women of Dhaka gets from our government. Rape cases in Dhaka rarely gets to court and even those who make it to courts RARELY see criminals punished.
Our real estate business is mostly dominated by thugs who takes over land by using force. All leading political parties are known for giving protection to these criminals, rarely we see an honest land owner got protection. So this is not isolated to any religious communities.
I know quite a few people who were forced to give up their lands with less than fair price. In most cases they were forced to give up land, later they had an "Option" to get some money or get nothing. This is the reality of Bangladesh.
Your "Sermon" makes more sense in mature democratic country like USA but it is absurd to apply whose wisdom in Bangladesh. As the very people who are supposed to protect us from criminals are engaged in criminal activities. Muslims do not get any special favor if his/her land or property is location in "Wrong location".
You are right in one place. This is NOT a political issue but a moral issue. A fundamental issue. Sadly so called leaders are ony too eager to exploit the sufferings of common people into their political advantage. Here in Bangladesh (Like in most south east Asian counties) personal interest becomes political interest very easily and politicians can look away from their duty when it benefits them.
But people are taking notes. We have technologies (Mobile, camera, internet) to record such atrocities now. There are some apolitical people who started their work. It will take some time but we'll change this horrible sights in future. Our people are decent and with good leadership they can do wonders.
Our government spoke about some good initiatives to stop these abuses. If they can follow through this time, it will a good start and people will thank them for it.
Shalom!
From: Jiten Roy <jnrsr53@yahoo.com>
To: mukto-mona <mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sat, Feb 1, 2014 5:46 pm
Subject: Re: [mukto-mona] বাংলাদেশের মাটি থেকে বিদায় - খালেদা জিয়া বিএনপি জামায়াত সবাইকে বিদায় বাংলাদেশের মাটি থেকে !
Jiten Roy
From: Jiten Roy <jnrsr53@yahoo.com>
To: "mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com" <mukto-mona@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, 1 February 2014, 14:04
Subject: Re: [mukto-mona] বাংলাদেশের মাটি থেকে বিদায় - খালেদা জিয়া বিএনপি জামায়াত সবাইকে বিদায় বাংলাদেশের মাটি থেকে !
Jiten Roy
মুসলিম লীগ মরে গেছে কিন্তু মুসলিম লীগের মতাদর্শ বিএনপি ধারণ করে আছে। এই মতাদর্শের অর্থ : নন সেক্যুলার রাজনীতিকে দক্ষিণ এশিয়ায় শক্তিশালী করে রাখা এবং দক্ষিণ এশিয়ার রাজনীতিতে সাম্প্রদায়িক জঙ্গীবাদ ব্যবহার করা। সংখ্যাগরিষ্ঠের রাজনীতি হচ্ছে মুসলমানদের রাজনীতি, মুসলমানদের রাজনীতির ক্ষেত্র বাংলাদেশ এবং সংখ্যালঘিষ্টের অর্থ হচ্ছে সংখ্যাগরিষ্ঠ মুসলমানদের রাজনীতির মধ্যে অধস্তন হয়ে থাকা। বিএনপির মধ্যে দু'ধরনের রাজনীতি যুক্ত। প্রথমটি হচ্ছে মুসলিম সাম্প্রদায়িক রাজনীতি। দ্বিতীয়টি হচ্ছে মুসলিম সাম্প্রদায়িক রাজনীতি থেকে উত্থিত সন্ত্রাসী রাজনীতি।
এই দুই রাজনীতি বিএনপির রাজনীতির বাস্তবতা তৈরি করেছে। এই রাজনীতির বাস্তবতার একদিকে আছে মনোলিথিক জাতিক ভৌগোলকিতা তৈরি করা; মিয়ানমারের যে অংশ মুসলিমপ্রধান, বাংলাদেশে একটি একক জাতির প্রাধান্য তৈরি করা, ভারতে দ্বিতীয় সংখ্যাগরিষ্ঠ মুসলিম জাতীয়তা তৈরি করা, পাকিস্তানে একটি একক জাতীয়তা তৈরি হয়ে আছে, এই সব অঞ্চল নিয়ে একটি একক মুসলিম জাতি নির্মাণ করা।
খালেদা জিয়া ভোটের সময় এবং ভোটপরবর্তী সময়ে বলতে থাকেন, যেমন বলেছেন পূর্ববর্তী একটি নির্বাচন সময়ে, আওয়ামী লীগকে ভোট দিলে ফেনী থেকে সব অঞ্চল ভারতের অঙ্গরাজ্যে পর্যবসিত হবে এবং মসজিদে মসজিদে উলুধ্বনি শোনা যাবে। সম্প্রতি অনুষ্ঠিত নির্বাচনোত্তর পরিস্থিতিতে জামায়াত-বিএনপি একত্রে দেশের বিভিন্ন অংশে সংখ্যালঘু এবং আওয়ামী সমর্থকদের, বাড়িঘরে আগুন দিয়েছে, সংখ্যালঘু জনসমর্থের নারীদের ওপর তাদের উদ্যোগে নির্যাতন ভয়াবহ আকার ধারণ করেছে। সরকার আইনশৃঙ্খলা বাহিনী মোতাবেন করে পরিস্থিতি সামাল দিচ্ছে। এই পরিস্থিতিতে খালেদা জিয়া, সাতক্ষীরা গিয়ে বলেছেন যৌথবাহিনীর সঙ্গে কাজ করছে এমন সব চেহারার মানুষ, যারা এদেশের বাসিন্দা নয়।
খালেদা জিয়ার বিভিন্ন বক্তব্যের মধ্যে একটা ধারাবাহিকতা আছে। খালেদা জিয়া বাংলাদেশকে বহুজাতির দেশ বলে বিশ্বাস করেন না। তাঁর বিশ্বাস মোতাবেক বাংলাদেশে একটি একক জাতি বাস করে, তারা মুসলমান, বাকি সব জাতি; হিন্দু বৌদ্ধ খ্রীস্টান পাহাড়ী এবং তারণ্যক জনসমষ্টি মুসলমান জাতির কাছে অর্ধস্তন, সেদিক থেকে অধস্তন জনসমষ্টির মৌলিক অধিকার নেই।
যারা অধস্তন তারা নাগরিক নয়। যারা নাগরিক নয়, তাদের ভিন্ন ধর্ম পালনের অধিকার নেই, তাদের জমিজমা ব্যবসা-বাণিজ্যের ওপর অধিকার নেই। একটি একক জাতির আধিপত্য বিস্তার করতে হবে এবং একক জাতির আধিপত্য শক্তিশালী করতে হবে সন্ত্রাস ও সশস্ত্র শক্তির মাধ্যমে। তাহলেই মুসলমান জাতির রাজনীতি দক্ষিণ এশিয়ায় শক্তিশালী করা সম্ভব হবে এবং দক্ষিণ এশিয়ার মুসলমান জাতির রাজনীতির সঙ্গে মধ্যপ্রাচ্যের মুসলিম উম্মার রাজনীতির মেলবন্ধন সম্ভব হবে। মুসলিম উম্মার রাজনীতি মধ্যপ্রাচ্যে মুখথুবড়ে পড়েছে এবং দক্ষিণ এশিয়ায় ক্রমাগত সন্ত্রাসী রাজনীতিতে পর্যবসিত হচ্ছে : এ সম্বন্ধে খালেদা জিয়ার ধারণা অস্পষ্ট। মুসলিম উম্মার কনসেপ্ট এখন খ-বিখ- : মধ্যপ্রাচ্যে মুসলিম উম্মার কনসেপ্টের মধ্যে এখন আল কায়দার অনুপ্রবেশ ঘটেছে এবং দক্ষিণ এশিয়ায় মুসলিম উম্মার কনসেপ্টের মধ্যে জামায়াতে ইসলামের অনুপ্রবেশ ঘটেছে।
যে কোন সমাজ ব্যবস্থায় আত্মঘাতের পথ তৈরি হয় সন্ত্রাসের মধ্যে দিয়ে। খালেদা জিয়া, বাংলাদেশে, এই আত্মঘাতের পথ তৈরি করেছেন বিএনপি-জামায়াতের মেলবন্ধনের মধ্যে দিয়ে। খালেদা জিয়া তাঁর কর্মকা-ের মধ্য দিয়ে বাংলাদেশকে গুডবাই জানাচ্ছেন। তাঁকে বিশ্বাস করার কোন কারণ নেই। যারা বাংলাদেশে অনবরত আল কায়েদা (আল কায়েদার অপর নাম জামায়াত) তৈরি করে তাদের রাজনীতিকে বিদায় জানাবার সময় এসেছে। খালেদা জিয়া বিএনপি জামায়াত সবাইকে বিদায় বাংলাদেশের মাটি থেকে।
লেখক : শিক্ষাবিদ ও গবেষক
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****************************************************
Mukto Mona plans for a Grand Darwin Day Celebration:
Call For Articles:
http://mukto-mona.com/wordpress/?p=68
http://mukto-mona.com/banga_blog/?p=585
****************************************************
VISIT MUKTO-MONA WEB-SITE : http://www.mukto-mona.com/
****************************************************
"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it".
-Beatrice Hall [pseudonym: S.G. Tallentyre], 190
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Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest | Switch to Fully Featured
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