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DHAKA: Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK) has expressed concerned over the alarming human rights situation in Bangladesh in the departing 2017.
ASK disclosed a report titled ‘Human Rights Situation in Bangladesh 2017: ASK observations’ at a press conference in Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) on Sunday (Dec 31).
Urging everyone to participate in improving the deteriorating situation, ASK Executive Director Shipa Hafiza said the human rights report is not satisfying and country can not move forward amid such condition.
ASK coordinator Abu Ahmed Faizul Kabir read out the annual report at the press conference.
According to the report, there were many incidents such as abduction, forced disappearance and assassination carried out by miscreants impersonating as law enforcing officials took place in 2017.
A total of 60 people were victims of forced disappearance in the outgoing year 2017. Only two of them found dead, eight shown arrest, returned seven and the rest remains disappeared.
Moreover, a total of 162 people victims of extra judicial killings in crossfire and gunfight.
The report also said freedom of expression has been interrupted in 2017. The misuse of Section 57 of the ICT Act continued to happen through out the year despite strong protest against it by newsmen and media critics. Cases were lodged under Section 57 against 54 journalists and writers. A total of 122 journalists were victims of harassment and one died.
According to the ASK annual report, there were also many allegations of persecution against religious minorities in 2017. A total of 122 idols of Hindu community were destroyed, 45 houses were torched and 21 business institutions were vandalized.
Finally, violence and repression against women has been increased disturbingly in 2017. A total of 818 women and children were victims of rape in 2017 which was only 659 in 2016.
Moreover, torture and killing in border areas also continued to happen in 2017.
BDST: 1615 HRS, DEC 31, 2017
AP