Update of BGD31927.E of 18 May 1999 on the treatment of members of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) by members of the Awami League (AL) government, police, and other state authorities [BGD36291.E]

According to the U.S. Department of State Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1999,

Violence, often resulting in killings, is a pervasive element in Bangladeshi politics. Supporters of different political parties, and sometimes supporters of different factions of one party, often clash with each other and with police during rallies and demonstrations. Awami League supporters, often with the connivance and support of the police, violently disrupted rallies and demonstrations of the opposition parties, which resulted in numerous deaths. Opposition parties also used armed violence and intimidation to disrupt their opponents' gatherings and rallies, as well as to enforce general strikes. During the year, 24 persons died in hartal-related violence (Section 1a).

Attached please find news articles reporting clashes between Bangladesh National Party (BNP) activists, the Awami League (AL) activists and government since May 1999.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate 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. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References


Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 1999. 1999. United States Department of State. http://www.state.gov/www/global/human_rights/1999_hrp_report/banglade.html [Accessed 9 Feb. 2000]

Attachments


Agence France Presse (AFP) [Hong Kong, in English]. 21 January 2001. "Bangladesh Capital Paralised by Strike Over Bomb Blast." (FBIS-NES-2001-0121 21 Jan. 2001/WNC)

_____. 21 October 1999. "Security Tight for Bangladesh Strike, 77 Hurt in Clashes." (FBIS-NES-1999-1021 21Oct. 1999/WNC)

_____. 2 August 1999. "Police Tear Gas Opposition in 'Nationwide' Strike." (FBIS-NES-1999-0802 2 Aug. 1999/WNC).

The Daily Star [Dhaka]. 28 October 2000. "Police Drive: 10 BNP Activists Hurt, 8 Arrested in Feni." http://www.dailystarnews.com/200010/29n0102903.htm [Accessed 6 Feb. 2001]

_____. 15 December 1999. "Cancel CCC Polls Schedule: Opposition." http://www.dailystarnews.com/199912/15n9121503.htm [Accessed 5 Feb. 2001]

_____. 9 November 1999. "Khoka, 3 Other BNP Leaders Shot by Police During Hartal." http://www.dailystarnews.com/199911/09/n9110109.htm [Accessed 5 Feb. 2001]

_____. 31 August 1999. Hartal in Ramgati Thana HQs Today." http://www.dailystarnews.com/200010/29n0102903.htm [Accessed 5 Feb. 2001]

_____. 31 August 1999. BNP-Jubo League Clash: Janakantha Staff Shot, Vehicle Set on Fire." http://www.dailystarnews.com/199908/31/n9083101.htm [Accessed 5 Feb. 2001]

Dawn [Karachi]. 9 May 2000. Sayed Kamaluddin. "BNP Hesitant About Entering into Electoral Alliance. http://www.dawn.com/2000/05/09/int.htm [Accessed 6 Feb. 2001]

_____. 12 March 2000. Sayed Kamaluddin. "BNP Expresses Concern Over Arrests." http://www.dawn.com/2000/03/12/int8.htm [Accessed 13 Mar. 2000]

Dhaka Courier. 12 January 2001. Vol. 17, No. 25. Rashed Ahmed Mitul. "BNP Unveils Endgame Plan."

_____. 5 January 2001. Vol. 17, No. 24. Rashed Ahmed Mitul. "New JDC Committee: BNP's Sore Point."

_____. 15 December 2000. Vol. 17, No. 21. Zahid Newaz. "Politics and Human Right."

_____. 23 June 2000. Vol. 23, No. 48. Farid Ahmed. "Dhaka University: Living with Terrorism."

The Hindu [Bombay]. 24 August 2000. "Nationwide Strike Hites Bangladesh." http://www.indiaserver.com/thehindu/2000/08/24/stories/0324000k.htm [Accessed 6 Feb. 2001]

The Indian Express [Delhi]. 3 February 2000. Bangladesh Strike Leaves One Dead, Several Injured." http://indian-express.com/ie/daily/20000203/iin03009.html [Accessed 6 Feb. 2001]

The Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies (IPCS, New Delhi). January-February 2000. Summary of archived articles. http://wwwipcs.org/archives/sa-ban-index/00-01-jan-feb.html [Accessed 6 Feb. 2001]