An appeal to end human rights abuses against minorities in Bangladesh

To: Chief Advisor, People's Republic of Bangladesh Cc: His Excellency Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed, President of Bangladesh Cc: His Excellency Kofi A. Annan, Secretary General of the United Nations Cc: Her Excellency Mary Robinson, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights We, the signatories of this petition, call on the Bangladesh Government to 1) setup an enquiry commission on recent skirmishes against minority communities in Bhola, Jessore, Feni and Borishal. Punish those responsible and provide rehabilitation to minority victims. Note: According to national and international news reports and statements of eyewitnesses, radical wings of some political parties harassing minorities throughout Bangladesh either not to participate in the upcoming election to exercise their voter rights. Fearing further violence, minorities in many villages throughout Bangladesh are leaving their locality and in some cases even leaving the country. 2) put an immediate end to harassment, racial discrimination and religious intolerance against minority Bangladesh citizens and guarantee them to exercise their legitimate rights to freedom of expression, freedom of association and freedom of religion. 3) demonstrate a willingness to respect the rights of Minority Bangladesh citizens by proceeding quickly to implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). 4) Ensure that indigenous people such as Santhals, Mru, Khasia, Khewang and other tribals can live a peaceful life in their own natural habitats. Note: Commercial echo projects are threatening the very existence of the indigenous people. 5) setup an enquiry commission to provide impartial probe on Santhal slaughtering at Vimpur village of Mohadevpur upazilla under Naogaon district and enforce justice thereof. Note: Please consider the editorial report of Daily Star dated: August 21, 2000. 6) deploy an enquiry commission to provide impartial probe on atrocities against tribal community at Ramgarh, Khagrachari dated Monday, 25th June 2000. Note: Please refer to all national newspapers dated June 25th for report. 7) setup an enquiry commission to provide impartial probe on 1992 atrocities against Hindus throughout Bangladesh, immediately punish those responsible, rehabilitate the victims and guarantee constitutional rights for minorities.