Clandestine killings and disappearances have marked a sharp rise
Dhaka: Incidents of clandestine killing and disappearance have marked a sharp rise in the country, says a human rights organisation. "At least 133 people fell victim to extrajudicial killings by Rapid Action Battalion or other law enforcers throughout the country," Sultana Kamal, executive director of 'Ain O Shalish Kendra' (ASK), told a press conference at Dhaka Reporters Unity on Saturday.
The press conference was arranged to release the 'Human Rights 2010 Summary Report'.
"The country saw a mixed human rights condition in 2010. One of the ruling party's election pledges was to stop extrajudicial killings, but it didn't happen. Instead, killings continued in the name of encounter and gunfight," she said.
Sultana Kamal said Wikileaks revealed RAB's extrajudicial killings as well. "The home ministry has also found evidence of such killings."
"Incidents of disappearance and clandestine killings have been added amid huge controversies over crossfire," said the former caretaker government advisor. She said there had been no acceptable explanation from the government or the law enforcers on the issue. "No investigation has been carried out either."
Terming last year's law and order situation 'vulnerable', she said some 625 women were raped in 2010, but only 323 cases were filed against such incidents during the period. "Of those raped, 78 were killed while seven committed suicide."
During the period, 31 women committed 'suicide' following sexual harassment. Impudence prompted the father of a victim to commit suicide, while 20 people were killed as they protested such incidents, the report says.
At least 223 women were killed for dowry, while 18 tormented women committed suicide, 394 were assaulted, but the number of cases filed for such incidents was only 51.
At the press conference, Kamal revealed that 93 women fell victim to acid attacks last year while 74 people died in custody. Some 300 journalists were harassed and assaulted. Besides, 100 Bangladeshi citizens lost their lives in BSF firings last year.
ASK also showed that 75 people were killed and 7,103 injured in 436 political violence.
Sultana Kamal said 2,279 Bangladeshi workers returned home dead from various countries. Citing data from the Department of Labour, she said manpower export has come down to 20 percent.
About the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, she said the amendment to the law has reduced the power of the commission.
Sultana Kamal alleged that the government has withdrawn many cases of corruption, killing, robbery and rape describing them as 'politically motivated.'
Responding to a query she said, "Activities of the Human Rights Commission face obstacles as its rules and regulations have not been approved yet."
Sultana Kamal urged the government to take more effective steps to improve the human rights condition in the country. ASK director Noor Khan and Sayeed Ahmed, senior coordinator of Media & International Advocacy Unity, also spoke at the press conference.
The press conference was arranged to release the 'Human Rights 2010 Summary Report'.
"The country saw a mixed human rights condition in 2010. One of the ruling party's election pledges was to stop extrajudicial killings, but it didn't happen. Instead, killings continued in the name of encounter and gunfight," she said.
Sultana Kamal said Wikileaks revealed RAB's extrajudicial killings as well. "The home ministry has also found evidence of such killings."
"Incidents of disappearance and clandestine killings have been added amid huge controversies over crossfire," said the former caretaker government advisor. She said there had been no acceptable explanation from the government or the law enforcers on the issue. "No investigation has been carried out either."
Terming last year's law and order situation 'vulnerable', she said some 625 women were raped in 2010, but only 323 cases were filed against such incidents during the period. "Of those raped, 78 were killed while seven committed suicide."
During the period, 31 women committed 'suicide' following sexual harassment. Impudence prompted the father of a victim to commit suicide, while 20 people were killed as they protested such incidents, the report says.
At least 223 women were killed for dowry, while 18 tormented women committed suicide, 394 were assaulted, but the number of cases filed for such incidents was only 51.
At the press conference, Kamal revealed that 93 women fell victim to acid attacks last year while 74 people died in custody. Some 300 journalists were harassed and assaulted. Besides, 100 Bangladeshi citizens lost their lives in BSF firings last year.
ASK also showed that 75 people were killed and 7,103 injured in 436 political violence.
Sultana Kamal said 2,279 Bangladeshi workers returned home dead from various countries. Citing data from the Department of Labour, she said manpower export has come down to 20 percent.
About the Anti-Corruption Commission Act, she said the amendment to the law has reduced the power of the commission.
Sultana Kamal alleged that the government has withdrawn many cases of corruption, killing, robbery and rape describing them as 'politically motivated.'
Responding to a query she said, "Activities of the Human Rights Commission face obstacles as its rules and regulations have not been approved yet."
Sultana Kamal urged the government to take more effective steps to improve the human rights condition in the country. ASK director Noor Khan and Sayeed Ahmed, senior coordinator of Media & International Advocacy Unity, also spoke at the press conference.
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