Information subsequent to BGD11364 of 11 August 1992 regarding the treatment of previous associates of the Jatiya Party or affiliated groups [BGD16459.E]

On 25 January 1991, the Bangladeshi government ordered deposed president Hussain Mohammed Ershad's former prime minister and cabinet members to surrender to police or face imprisonment (Keesing's Jan. 1991, 37965). Two ministers were arrested the following day (ibid.).

In April 1991, the acting chair of the Jatiya Party (JP) was arrested after demanding that Ershad be released (Keesing's Apr. 1991, 38152). Five other former cabinet ministers were arrested between April and July 1991 (Keesing's June 1991, 38288-89, Keesing's July 1991, 383390).

Press reports indicate that Bangladesh authorities also seized the passport of Ershad's former foreign minister (AFP 8 Mar. 1992), and arrested his former National Security Intelligence and Defence Force Intelligence chiefs (UPI 19 Apr. 1992).

In December 1992, Khaledur Rahman Tito, secretary general of the JP, was charged under Curbing of Terrorist Activities Ordinances after he and another JP worker were beaten by police (Amnesty International Apr. 1993). The same month Reuters reported that Police used batons to break up a rally of 5,000 Ershad supporters (Reuters 1 Dec. 1992). Jatiya sources claimed several people were injured and many arrested (ibid.).

In February 1993, Nurul Islam Majumder, a leader of the Jatiya was arrested for allegedly attempting to smuggle a letter written by Ershad out of the country (Reuters 11 Feb. 1993). In April, Anwar Hossain, the publisher of the Bengali-language Dainik Ittefaq and former minister under Ershad was arrested under the Special Powers Act (JENW 22 Apr. 1993).

In June 1993, AFP also reported that police used batons to break up a protest by 400 Ershad supporters (AFP 14 June 1992). The report did not indicate whether there were any injuries (ibid.).

Additional or corroborative information is currently unavailable to the DIRB

This response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.

References

Agence France Presse. 14 June 1993. "Police Use Batons to Disperse Ershad Supporters." (FBIS-NES-93-112 14 June 1993, p.56)

. 8 March 1992. "Former Bangladesh FM's Passport Seized." (NEXIS)

Amnesty International. April 1993. Bangladesh: A Summary of Human Rights Concerns. London: Amnesty International Publications.

Japan Economic Newswire. 22 April 1993. "Opposition Lawmaker Arrested in Bangladesh." (NEXIS)

Keesing's Record of World Events [Cambridge]. January 1991. Vol. 37, No. 1. "Bangladesh: Arrest of Former Minister."

. April 1991. Vol. 37, No. 4. "Bangladesh: Arrest of Former Ministers."

. April 1991. Vol. 37, No. 6. "Bangladesh: Sentencing Ershad."

. April 1991. Vol. 37, No. 7-8. "Bangladesh: Arrest of Former Minister."

Reuters. 11 February 1993. BC Cycle. "Ershad's Lawyer Detained With Smuggling Letter." (NEXIS)

Reuters. 1 December 1992. BC Cycle. "Bangladesh Police Break up Pro-Ershad Rally." (NEXIS)

United Press International (UPI). 19 April 1992. BC Cycle. "Officials of Ousted President Arrested." (NEXIS)

Attachments

(AFP). 14 June 1993. "Police Use Batons to Disperse Ershad Supporters." (BK1206144693 14 June 1993, p. 56)

. 8 March 1992. "Former Bangladesh FM's Passport Seized." (NEXIS)

Amnesty International. April 1993. Bangladesh: A Summary of Human Rights Concerns. London: Amnesty International Publications, pp. 8-9.

JEN. 22 April 1993. "Opposition Lawmaker Arrested in Bangladesh." (NEXIS)

Keesing's Record of World Events [Cambridge]. January 1991. Vol. 37, No. 1. "Bangladesh: Arrest of Former Minister," 37965.

. April 1991. Vol. 37, No. 4. "Bangladesh: Arrest of Former Ministers," p. 38152.

. April 1991. Vol. 37, No. 6. "Bangladesh: Sentencing Ershad," pp. 38288-89.

. April 1991. Vol. 37, No. 7-8. "Bangladesh: Arrest of Former Minister," p. 38338.

United Press International (UPI). 19 April 1992. BC Cycle. "Officials of Ousted President Arrested." (NEXIS)

Reuters. 11 February 1993. BC Cycle. "Ershad's Lawyer Detained With Smuggling Letter." (NEXIS)

Reuters. 1 December 1992. BC Cycle. "Bangladesh Police Break up Pro-Ershad Rally." (NEXIS)