Submitted by crinadmin on
Summary: In the context of recent attack on the
Ahmadiyya community in the Satkhira district,
a number of human rights organisations and
NGOs have been working jointly to address
the issue.
UPDATE 4 - Attack on tha Ahmadiyya Community in Bangladesh
In the context of recent attack on the Ahmadiyya community in the Satkhira
district, a number of human rights organisations and NGOs have been
working jointly to address the issue. Among others, Nari Pokkho, BDPC,
Action Aid, Mahila Parishad, Bangladesh National Women Lawyers
Association and Nijera Kori are in the group.
The group met at the Nari Pokkho office on 30 April 2005 to discuss the
issue and make a plan of action about the declaration by the International
Khatme Nabuat Movement of further attack on the Ahmadiyya community
on 01 June 2005. In the meantime, Ahmadiyya children are facing
discrimination and violence at schools. The attackers have filed a false case
against 45 Ahmadiyya community members with a view to harass them.
The new threat of attack on the Ahmadiyya community at Brahmanbaria
also came up in the discussion. The meeting was chaired by Ms. Ruby
Gazhnavi.
A video documentation of the attack on Ahmadiyya community at Satkhira
was watched by the meeting participants.
It was decided at the Meeting that (1) the group would hold a press
conference very soon in Dhaka in protest of the human rights violations,
and violence against women and children of the Ahmadiyya community in
Satkjira district; (2) the group would submit a joint petition to the prime
minister, as soon as the joint petition is ready, urging her to ensure safety,
security and constitutional rights of the Ahmadiyya community; (3) the
group would send delegations to meet Ministers and government officials,
political leaders, the Inspector General of Police and other key players in
the near future to raise the issue with them and seek their support for
safety and security of the Ahmadiyya Community.
It was decided in the meeting that BDPC would draft the briefing paper for
the press conference; Nari Pokkho would draft the joint petition and mahila
Parishad would seek appoint with the Inspector General of Police.
BDPC's implementing partner for the Women's Rights Training and
Counseling Project in Satkhira district of Bangladesh, Shushilan, has been
playing a key role in Satkhira and Shyamnagar for protechtion of the
Ahmadiyya community and in organising protest against the attacks.
Another partner of BDPC, Samaj Progati Sangstha (Progati), has been
playing a vital role at Shyamnagar in protecting the Ahmadiyya community
and their rights.
For further information, contact:
Sharif A. Kafi, Director
Bangladesh Development Partnership Centre (BDPC)
138, Ka, Pisciculture, Shyamoli
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Tel: + 880 2 9119624
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.bdpc.info