The Manabadhikar Shongskriti Foundation (MSF), an entity committed to protecting and promoting human rights across the country, on Wednesday expresses its deep concern over continuing increase in human rights violations.
At the same time, the organisation also strongly condemned the alleged inaction of the government to prevent the incidents of human rights violation.
In its monthly report, the MSF said at least three people died in the custody of law enforcement agencies, three other people died by jumping into water and in a collision with a bus while trying to escape arrest in August.
In addition to the unethical actions of some members of the police, allegations of their involvement in several crimes including indecent behaviour, torture, extortion and robbery, harassment and rape have been published in the media, the report said.
The MSF prepared the report based on information published in various media and also collected information by MSF own source.
During the period between August 1 and August 31, eight people died in prison custody which is six more than the previous month July,. Among them, one was allegedly died of illness after being sent to prison after being tortured.
A speech-impaired young woman committed suicide while in custody. It is also illegal to keep a disabled person in jail without committing a crime.
MSF considers that the incidents of death in custody and torture in prisons are alarming and necessary action has to be taken urgently based on proper investigation.
Around 62 incidents of violence in the political arena during the programs of the opposition parties in different districts of the country occurred. Besides, one incident of post-Union Parishad election violence was also happened during the times in August.
According to information in the media, 62 political violence and post-UP election violence caused lives of four people during times in August.
In August, 799 people became victims of violence, of which 722 people were injured, 30 people were shot and seriously injured and 43 people were detained.
Among the victims, one was members of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), two workers of Awami League and one was stabbed to death in UP election conflict. Out of the 30 shot injuries, 27 are BNP workers and three are from Awami League. Apart from that, among those detained, four are from the Left Democratic Alliance, 35 are from BNP, one is from Awami League and three are bus drivers and assistant transport workers.
Violence against women and children such as; Rape, gang rape, sexual harassment, suicide and domestic violence especially physical violence have increased in most cases compared to previous months which is very alarming.
Around 534 incidents of violence against women and children have taken place in last month, which is 180 more than previous month of July.
Among those incidents, 66 were rape incidents, 24 organized rapes and two were incidents of murdered after raped. Among them, three disabled children and adolescents and four disabled women and two disabled children and adolescents.
Fourteen journalists were injured in 38 incidents, the body of one female journalist was recovered, three journalists were attacked, six were assaulted, 14 journalists were threatened in various ways due to being hindered in their professional duties in August.
MSF believes that attacks on freedom of thought and conscience and the exercise of obstacle on freedom of speech are undermining independent journalism and the free flow of information. Common people are deprived of objective news.
Nine incidents of killing, vandalizing of idols, land grabbing and harassment of religious and ethnic minorities at different levels were reported during the period in August.
Naren Munda of the Munda community was beaten to death by Lathial bahini. Besides, 14 idols were vandalized in different temples of Pirojpur, Khulna, Jhenaidah, Kurigram, Bogura and Manikganj, one temple was set on fire and six houses were attacked and set on fire.
Eleven people including Bhumi Raksha Sangram Committee leader Rangdhajan Tripura and Langkam Mro are being harassed in Sarai Union of Lama Upazila of Bandarban by filing false cases, the MSF report added.
Source: United News of Bangladesh