[Attachment(s) from Sitangshu Guha included below]
Page: 265| USCIRF 2013 Annual Report
Today (30th April 2013) the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released our Annual Report. You may find the full report online at: http://www.uscirf.gov/images/2013%20USCIRF%20Annual%20Report(1).pdf
BANGLADESH
BACKGROUND
The Commission continues to follow developments in Bangladesh, which was on USCIRF's Watch List
from 2005 to 2008. USCIRF removed Bangladesh from the Watch List after the Awami League party,
which is considered to promote secular policies and be favorable towards minority rights, won the 2008
general election and promised to implement religious freedom reforms. In the last reporting year,
Bangladesh continued to take positive steps in rectifying past religious freedom violations, including the
seizure of Hindu-owned land, and to protect vulnerable religious and ethnic minorities from exploitation
or violence, especially in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT). However, incidents of communal violence
occurred in 2012 and 2013 against Buddhists, Ahmadis, and Hindus.
In 2011, the Vested Property Return Act established an application process for families or individuals to
apply for the return of, or compensation for, Hindu property seized under the Vested Property Act. In
2012, as required by the Act, all districts widely published the properties eligible for return. Additionally,
the government established seven tribunals across the country to review and adjudicate return
applications. With respect to the CHT Peace Accords, the government has established the Land
Commission and the Task Force on Rehabilitation of Jumma Refugees and IDPs (internally displaced
persons). It also has reserved over 300 seats for minority students in universities and has been actively
recruiting religious and ethnic minority for the Bangladeshi police. These actions demonstrate a
governmental effort to resolve long-standing issues relating to IDPs and property confiscation and return.
VIOLENCE TARGETING RELIGIOUS MINORITIES
Regarding communal violence, in September 2012 in Ramu, Cox's Bazaar, 12 Buddhist temples and
approximately 50 Buddhist homes were set on fire, after false claims were made that a Buddhist youth
defamed Islam and the Qur'an on Facebook. Prime Minister Sheika Hasina condemned the attack, and
provided 24.8 million taka (approximately $315,000 U.S. dollars) in cash aid and building materials.
Over 450 individuals were arrested in 19 criminal cases, and a four-member Inquiry Committee was
formed to investigate the incident. After the reporting period, in February 2013, a mob described to be
over 20,000 Islamic extremists burned down the venue in Dhaka that the Ahmadi community intended to
use for their annual convention. It is unknown if any arrests were made. The convention was moved to
another venue and occurred without additional incidents.
Also after the close of the reporting period, in late February 2013, the conviction and death sentence by
hanging by the country's International War Crimes Tribunal of a Jamaat-e-Islami leader, Delawar
Hossain Sayedee, sparked violent attacks against Hindus and their religious temples and shrines, and
homes and businesses. Over 80 individuals died, and dozens of temples, shrines, homes and businesses
were burned down. The government was slow in responding to violence, and local police allegedly stood
by as the violence occurred. The government in early March began to deploy the army to stop the
violence, and a few perpetrators of violence were arrested. USCIRF will continue to monitor the situation
and the government's response.
Attachment(s) from Sitangshu Guha
1 of 1 File(s)
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