Figure 1.--. |
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Bangladesh is a modern creation, but Bengal has along history. It was was probably the wealthiest part of the subcontinent up till the 16th century. Today it is one of the poorest countries in the world. When Briritain gave India its independence. Bengal became East Pakistan in political union with West Pakistan. Gradually Bengali nationalism exerted itself, especialy when politically dominant West Pakistan attemoted to make Urdu the national language. The Pakistani Army attemoted to reverse an election won by Bengali nationalists. A horific 11-day war ensued in which the Indian Army intervened. The result was an independent Bangladesh (1971). Thus Bangladesh was born as a result of resistance to gross violations of human rights. The country inherited secular institutions from Britain which are now threatened by Islamic fundamentalists. Authors who are seemed as criticizing Islam are threatened and even procecuted by the Government. Religiously inspired attacks occur. Of particular concern has been women's rights. A particularly well publicized incident has been pressure bring placed on a popular 13-year old TV star to stop her schooling and marry.
Bangladesh is a modern creation, but Bengal has along history. It was was probably the wealthiest part of the subcontinent up till the 16th century. Today it is one of the poorest countries in the world. When Briritain gave India its independence. Bengal became East Pakistan in political union with West Pakistan. Gradually Bengali nationalism exerted itself, especialy when politically dominant West Pakistan attemoted to make Urdu the national language. The Pakistani Army attemoted to reverse an election won by Bengali nationalists. A horific 11-day war ensued in which the Indian Army intervened. The result was an independent Bangladesh (1971). Thus Bangladesh was born as a result of resistance to gross violations of human rights. The country inherited secular institutions from Britain which are now threatened by Islamic fundamentalists.
The two major political parties are the Bangladesh National Party (BNP) and the Awami League (AL), There are frequent violent attacks between the two parties as well as clashed with the police.
Bangladesh is one of the most dangerous countries in the world for journalists. Reporters Sans Frontieres reported that Bangladesh was the country with the largest number of journalists physically attacked or threatened with death. The Government hs made little effort to protect threatened journalists. Much of the assult on Bangladesh independent journalists hs come from Islamist groups. [BHRN] Authors who are seemed as criticizing Islam are threatened and even procecuted by the government.
Of particular concern has been women's rights. A particularly well publicized incident has been pressure bring placed on a popular 13-year old TV star to stop her schooling and marry. Shimu is 13 years old and the star of a hit TV series. Her grandmother is not impressed with her success and wants her to drop out of the 7th grade and marry. Older teenagers in the neigborhood send her notes threatening to abduct her if she will not marry. Shimu says, "I feel depressed. But a lot of girls in the slums face the same pressures." [Wax, "Bangledeshi"] Social attitudes like this significantly impede the educatin of girls in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh is a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. This guarantees the rights to freedom of religion and expression. The Government has not only made no effort to implement this commitment, but has tolerated assaults by Islamic extremists on religious minorities. Religiously inspired attacks are not uncommon. The two principal minority religions are Hindus and Ahmadiyya. The Ahmadiyya are a heterodox religious group that sees itself as a part od the Islamic community. Some Islamic fundamentalist, however, do not accept Ahmadiyya as part of Islam. And there are attacks on both Hibdus and Ahmadiyyas. There are also attacks on Christianns and Buddhists. The Government itself has tken actins against religious minorities under pressure by Islamic fundamentalists. The government banned all Ahmadiyya
publications (January 2004). The action resulted from an ultimatum by the Islami Okiya Jote (IOJ) and the Khatme Nabuwat Movement (KNM) to issue afinding that Ahmadiyyas are not true Muslims. The IOJ is a small coalition partners with the BNP. The KNM, is an extreme Islamist group which pressures its extreme views on te government and more moderate Muslims. It organizes vigilante actions against oftending persons.
The BNP government chose to placate the IOJ to save the governing coalition rather than fufil its obligations to defend the rights of the Ahmadiyya. A Bangladesh court later overuled the Government an, but Islamist parties and organizations are threatening further legal challenge and there is always the threat of vigilante action. Report of attacks on Ahmadiyya homes and worship sites continue. These attacks have been documented by human rights groups and journalists. Despit this, the Government has not prosecuted any individuls engaged in these attacks. Nor has it disciplined police officials who fail to protect religious minorities. [BHRN]
Coruption is often not on a list of human rights. It is, howver, a major problem around the world and often bleeds often limited gvernmnt resources needed to ddress problems like health care and education which are major human rights. Corruption also affects the ability of indivuduals to make a living, another central human rights. Corruption is a serious problem in Bangladesh. Bangladesh has consistently headed Transparency International's list as the most corrupt country in the world. It was a coutry where Gghoosh" (bribes) were once common even at the Bureau of Anti-Corruption. A military-backed government took power after months of civil unrest (January 2007). The new government launched a major anti-corruption. Other governments have paid lip service to ending corruption. The new Bengsli government to the amazement of virtually everyone in the country seems serious. There are now two former prine ministers in jail (Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina), Zia's son Tarique Rahman (Mr. 10 percent), 170 prominant individuals, and 15,000 officials and businessmen. Many individuals who once complained bitterly about corruption now complain that the government is going too far. Bengali observers report that the campaign is having a fundament affect on how business is done in the country. [Wax, "In Bangladesh"]
The number of cases of HIV/AIDS is growing in Bangladesh. The Government is, however, no only making no effort to adopt programs to combat the oproblem, but impeding the efforts being made by private groups. Again the motivation is maintaing the political support of Islamicists. Islamic groups attack both sex workers and homosexuals. There are numerous reports of gang rapes, beatings, and extortion. The police
and criminal groups are involved in these attacks. Not only are the attacks a violation of human rights, but they facilitate the spread of the disease. Police attacks and arrests on indivisuals who work on HIV/AIDS outreach and education have significantly impaired the country's HIV/AIDs prevention program. A report indicates that, "Official complaints filed by victims are largely ignored and sometimes ridiculed." [BHRN]
Bangladesh Human Rights Network (BHRN). "Human Rights Watch World Report 2006".
Wax, Emily. "Bangladeshi child star hopes life will mirror art: Lead of show about girls' education fights to stay in school," Washington Post (September 1, 2007), pp. A1, 10.
Wax, Emily. "In Bangladesh, "A quiet revolution," Washington Post (October 3, 2007), pp. A16.
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