WRITTEN QUESTION P-0747/02

by Claude Moraes (PSE) to the Commission

(8 March 2002)

Subject: Attacks on Hindu minority in Bangladesh

What are the European Union's views on the failure of the Bangladesh Government and the police force to secure the rights of the Hindu community following the recent attacks? These attacks have been well documented by the press and human rights organisations nationally and internationally.

What action will the European Union take to ensure that the Bangladesh Government acknowledges the nature and extent of these attacks, and takes all necessary steps to prevent them from continuing (the attacks are continuing as reported by the Bangladesh press), and to punish those responsible?

Why did the Bangladesh Government arrest human rights activist Shahriar Kabir, who was only exposing the plight of the Hindu minority?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(12 April 2002)

Political motivated violence and confrontation as well as the prevailing law and order situation have been for years a main concern for the Bangladesh's population, the Union and more in general the international donor community. The spate of politically motivated violence before and in the aftermath of the national elections is, to some extent, a continuation of an ever present violence in Bangladesh society. However, the unprecedented extent, brutality and duration of this recent violent activity against opposition workers and religious minorities, particularly the Hindu community, has been particularly worrying.

However, based on cross-checked information from and analysis of different sources in Bangladesh, the Commission is of the opinion that this violence was mainly caused by the power vacuum in the interim period before the new government firmly established itself. The usual groups of mastans and hoodlums took advantage of this prolonged power vacuum and disorientation of the law and order authorities to settle old scores and consolidate their positions under the new regime.

Investigations carried out by diplomatic representations in Dhaka, found no compelling evidence that political parties are systematically instigating violence against religious minorities. Indeed, in most cases where there was a clear evidence that minorities were the intended target/victims of the attacks, it was usually unclear what the motives of these attacks were.

The Commission, through its Delegation in Dhaka, has monitored and still follows very closely the post election situation and the political developments in Bangladesh and has played an active role, together with Member States' and other diplomatic missions on the spot, non-gouvernmental organisations (NGOs), Human Rights organisations and the media in denouncing the negative developments.

More in detail the Union undertook the following initiatives:

- A public statement (October 2001), made by the Head of the Commission's Delegation to Bangladesh, the Union Presidency in Dhaka and the ambassadors of United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, Norway, Switzerland, DK, D, F, I, NL, SE, UK and the Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

- On 1 November 2001, the Member States' and the Commission's Delegation Heads of Mission met the Home Minister to express their concern about the continuing attacks on minority groups in Bangladesh.

- A similar diplomatic action was undertaken with the senior leadership of the Awami League urging the party leaders to exercise restraint and to avoid an escalation of violence by abstaining from any revenge activities.

- During the first Community Bangladesh Joint Commission meeting, held in Dhaka on 20 November 2001, the chairman of the delegation of the Commission, early expressed the Community's concern over the post election spate of seemingly politically motivated violence and asked the Government of Bangladesh to make all necessary efforts to address this issue.

- Similar demarches were made in meetings of the Member States' and the Commission's Delegation Heads of Mission with the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

- Law and order situation, human rights issues (including minorities), good governance are among the topics that were discussed with the government of Bangladesh in the forthcoming World Bank sponsored Bangladesh Development Forum in Paris (13-15 March 2002).

However, since the beginning of 2002, although the law and order situation is hardly improved, reported violence against and intimidation of minorities have decreased.

It is also to be noted that the Government of Bangladesh has already taken or it is about to take steps which indicate a determination to stop any violence against minorities. An inquiry committee headed by the Principal Secretary of the Prime Minister, has been set up, arrests have been made including a notorious villain who was elected as Bangladesh National Party (BNP) Member of Parliament, and a legislative proposal for the establishment of an independent Human Rights Commission has been brought on its legislative way

In spite of these improvements, the Commission has instructed its Delegation in Dhaka to continue closely monitoring the Human Rights situation in the country, to actively participate in all diplomatic initiatives in close co-ordination with the Union Presidency representative and Member States' diplomatic missions in Bangladesh, and to raise this issue with the Government of Bangladesh when and where appropriate.

With regard to the case of writer and columnist Shahriar Kabir. He was arrested on 22 November 2001 under th Special Powers Act (SPA) on charges of involvement in anti-state activities. On 8 December 2001 a sedition case was filed against him. Finally, after two months in prison he was released on bail on 19 January 2002. Media, press associations, human rights organisations, opposition parties etc. strongly condemned the detention of Mr Kabir.

The fact that Mr. Kabir clearly belongs to the camp opposed to the present government, has worked against the BNP during the election, has strongly criticised Jamaat (an Islamic party of the coalition) and written against fundamentalism and communalism has led many observers to conclude that his arrest is politically motivated.

It is up to the judiciary now to judge this matter.