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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Sunday, February 2, 2014
[mukto-mona] Fw REVEALED: Dr. Momen's petition to World Bank to STOP LOANS/gran ts to Bangladesh.
Any comments?
- REVEALED: Dr. Momen's petition to World Bank‏ to STOP LOANS/gran ts to Bangladesh.
REVEALED: Dr. Momen's petition to World Bank to STOP LOANS/grants to Bangladesh.
Please read below and go to the link to know in detail about Dr. Momen's destructive activities against Bangladesh!
---------- Forwarded Message ----------
Return-Path: <mahmudur@hotmail.com>
Subject: RE: Dr. Momen's petition to World Bank
Here is the link of Source to. Dr. Momen's petition to World Bank. Also see below to know about his activities.
Here is our Amabassador Momen's petition to the World Bank on 01 March 2005 (duringKhaleda Government) to STOP LOANS/grants to Bangladesh.
Abdul Momen from USA
Bangladesh-America Forum Against Political Violence
M.A.Mannan AZAD
On Sunday, January 26, 2014 12:55 AM, Anis Ahmed <anis.ahmed@netzero.net> wrote:
REVEALED: Dr. Momen's petition to World Bank to STOP LOANS/grants to Bangladesh.
Please read below and go to the link to know in detail about Dr. Momen's destructive activities against Bangladesh!
---------- Forwarded Message ----------
Return-Path: <mahmudur@hotmail.com>
Subject: RE: Dr. Momen's petition to World Bank
Here is the link of Source to. Dr. Momen's petition to World Bank. Also see below to know about his activities.
Here is our Amabassador Momen's petition to the World Bank on 01 March 2005 (during Khaleda Government) to STOP LOANS/grants to Bangladesh.
Abdul Momen from USA
Bangladesh-America Forum Against Political Violence
শেখনিউজ রিপোর্টঃ এই মুহূর্তে বৈধ-অবৈধ মিলিয়ে সার্কভুক্ত ৬টি দেশের প্রায় সাড়ে ১৪ লাখেরও বেশি নাগরিক বসবাস করছে বাংলাদেশে। এদের মধ্যে পাসপোর্ট ও ভোটার আইডি কার্ড জালিয়াতি করে ১২ লাখেরও বেশি ভারতীয় নাগরিক এদেশে অবস্থান করছে। দেশের অর্থনীতি, রাজনীতি থেকে শুরু করে আইন-শৃঙ্খলা পরিস্থিতির অবনতির পেছনে এই ভারতীয় নাগরিকরা গুপ্তঘাতকের ভূমিকা রাখছে বলে গোয়েন্দারা জোর সন্দেহ করছেন। অথচ সরকারের কাছে বাংলাদেশে অবস্থানকারী সার্কভুক্ত ৬টি দেশের মোট ১৪ লক্ষাধিক নাগরিকের মধ্যে মাত্র ১ লাখ ১৫ হাজার ৩শ ৬৬ জনের হিসাব আছে। সরকারি হিসাবের বাইরে অবস্থানকারী বিদেশী নাগরিকরা বিশষত ভারতীয়রা জড়িয়ে আছে নানান রাজনৈতিক ও অর্থনৈতিক কর্মকাণ্ডে। স্বরাষ্ট্র ও পররাষ্ট্র মন্ত্রণালয়ের সূত্র মতে, বাংলাদেশে অবস্থানকারীদের মধ্য ভারতীয়দের সংখ্যা সবচেয়ে বেশি।
বাংলাদেশে অবস্থিত বিভিন্ন দূতাবাসের মধ্যে ভারতীয় দূতাবাসের লোকবলও বেশি। সকল বৈধ ও অবৈধ ভারতিয়ের সাথেই ভারতীয় দুতাবাস যোগাযোগ রক্ষা করে চলে। একটি উল্লেখযোগ্য সংখ্যক ভারতীয় গোয়েন্দা সংস্থার নির্দেশ মোতাবেক পরিচালিত হয় এজেন্ডা ভিত্তিক। বৈধ এবং অবৈধভাবে বসবাসকারী ভারতীয় নাগকিরদের কেউ কেউ ইপিজেডের সংশ্লিষ্ট কিছু প্রতিষ্ঠান, নার্সিং ও এনজিওতেও কর্মরত রয়েছে। বাংলাদেশের প্রায় শতাধিক গার্মেন্টেস মালিক এখন ভারতীয় নাগরিক। আর তাদের মালিকানায় রয়েছে প্রায় সহস্রাধিক ফ্ল্যাটবাড়ি। ভারতীয়রা বিভিন্নভাবে আয় করে উপার্জিত টাকার অধিকাংশই অবৈধ পথে নিজ নিজ দেশে পাঠিয়ে দেয়। ফলে একদিকে দেশের নিরাপত্তা হুমকির মুখে পড়ছে, অন্যদিকে আর্থিকভাবে ক্ষতিগ্রস্ত হচ্ছে বাংলাদেশ।
গোয়েন্দাদের সূত্র জানিয়েছে বাংলাদেশে অবস্থানরত গার্মেন্টস শিল্পে কর্মরত অবৈধভাবে থাকা ভারতীয় নাগরিকদের ভিসার মেয়াদ এবং ওয়ার্ক পারমিট বলে কিছু নেই। এদের মধ্যে বাংলাদেশ-বিদ্বেষ খুব স্পষ্টভাবে দেখা যায়। এ কারণে পোশাক শিল্পের মতো জাতীয় গুরুত্বপূর্ণ খাতগুলোতে নানান সময়ে ঘটে যাওয়া নাশকতায় এদের যে হাত রয়েছে তা প্রতিটি দেশী বিদেশী গোয়েন্দা সংস্থার গোপন রিপোর্টে তথ্য-প্রমাণসহ রয়েছে। শেখ হাসিনার বৈধ ও অবৈধ দুই সরকারের আমলে ভারতীয়দের প্রতি নমনীয়তার কারণে কোনো ব্যবস্থাই নেয়া যাচ্ছে না।
প্রাপ্ত তথ্য অনুযায়ী- দেশে অবৈধ এই ভারতীয়দের সংখ্যা ১২ লাখেরও ঊর্ধ্বে। দেশে অবৈধভাবে বসবাসকারী এই সকল ভারতীয়সহ বিদেশীদের বিরুদ্ধে দেশের অর্থনীতি ধ্বংস, প্রশাসনে ষড়যন্ত্র, ভয়ঙ্কর নাশকতা, এমনকি দেশের স্বাধীনতা বিপন্নকারী মোনাফেক সম্প্রদায় তৈরিরঅভিযোগ উঠেছে । অভিযোগ আছে, ভারতীয়দের অনেকেই বাংলাদেশী জাল পাসপোর্ট এবং আইডি কার্ডও ব্যবহার করছে। আবার কেউ কেউ মিথ্যা পরিচয়ে বাংলাদেশের ভোটারও হয়েছে। এসব ভারতীয় নাগরিকদের অনেকেই রাজনৈতিক সহিংসতায়ও ভূমিকা রাখছে। এদের অনেকেই রাজনীতির আড়ালে-আবডালে থেকে নানান সহিংস ও নাশকতামূলক কর্মকান্ড চালিয়ে যাচ্ছে। এমনকি দেশের অভ্যন্তরে মাদকের যে বিস্তার ঘটছে তাও এদের দ্বারাই তৈরি। এই সকল ভারতীয়রাই সমাজে অনৈতিকতার বিষবাস্প ছড়িয়ে দিচ্ছে আর ভুমিকা রাখছে মরালবিহীন নাস্তিক প্রজন্ম গড়তে।
ভারত বার বার বাংলাদেশী অনুপ্রবেশকারীদের কথা বললেও প্রকৃত সত্য হচ্ছে এই যে, বাংলাদেশীদের চেয়ে ভারতীয়রাই সব থেকে বেশি সীমান্ত পেরিয়ে অবৈধভাবে অনুপ্রবেশ করে। কিন্তু বাংলাদেশের সীমান্তরক্ষী বাহিনী (বিজিবি) কোনো ভারতীয় অনুপ্রবেশকারীকে দেখা মাত্র গুলি ছুঁড়ে না বিধায় কখনোই বাংলাদেশের কেউ জানতে পারে না যে, কতজন ভারতীয় অনুপ্রবেশকারী বাংলাদেশের সীমান্তের ভেতরে ঢুকেছিলো কিংবা অনুপ্রবেশকারী ভারতীয়দের সংখ্যা ঠিক কতো হতে পারে। বাংলাদেশের সীমান্তরক্ষী বাহিনী (বিজিবি)-এর হাতে গুলিবিদ্ধ হয়ে কিংবা নির্যাতনের শিকার হয়ে অবৈধভাবে ভারতীয় অনুপ্রবেশকারীরা কখনো মৃত্যুবরণ করে না বিধায় দেশী ও আন্তর্জাতিক সংবাদ মাধ্যম গুলোতে কখনোই ফলাও করে সীমান্তে ভারতীয় হত্যার খবর বের হয় না। যে কারণে আন্তর্জাতিক মিডিয়া বাংলাদেশের অভ্যন্তরে অবৈধ ভারতীয় অনুপ্রবেশের বিষয়ে সম্পূর্ণ অন্ধকারে রয়েছে।
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