With the denial of the basic human rights towards opposition, the illegitimate Govt. of Bangladesh led by

Awami League has created a suffocating environment for everyone who stands against it. From the very

first anniversary of the most farced and rigged election in the history of Bangladesh, the opposition

wanted to stage protests and raise their voices through a number of peaceful manners. But the AL regime

vowed to tackle those in whatever way possible. The outcome was severe. Almost 20,000 opposition

activists were arrested since January, 2015.1 The protests of the opposition resulted in death of about fifty

people were killed in Arson attacks, around 220 injured.2 In retaliation, hundreds of opposition activists

were killed by Law Enforcing Agencies (Police/RAB/BGB) in the name of so called encounter/ cross fire.

Arrested women from Khulna (28th June, 2015)

After a few while when the things seemed to be cooled down a little bit, Govt. started its mission to

eliminate the opposition in a very slow but steady way. The number of arrests never went down, and the

new trend of arresting women activists from Ramadan programs has added a new dimension to this

1 http://www.hrw.org/news/2015/02/06/bangladesh-end-deadly-cycle-crimes (Also Daily Naya Diganta 7th Feb) 2 http://progressbangladesh.com/hrw-bangladesh-end-deadly-cycle-of-crimes/

Politically Motivated Arrest Spree of Police in

Bangladesh

Women activists are the new target

Members of Bangladesh Jamaat women wing

arrested from religious gathering like Iftar Parties

ongoing oppression. In last few days, more than fifty women were arrested from several regions of

Bangladesh. Most of them were peaceful housewives and respected women, yet they were arrested for

frivolous charges of conspiracy and sabotage. This outrageous act of the Law enforcing authorities in the

month of Ramadan is a matter of serious concern which calls for immediate attention and solution.

A summary of the arrest spree of the Police will help to understand the situation.

Date Place Program Number of Arrested Women 27th June, 2015 Beparipara, Jhenaidah Town Iftar Mahfil 09 27th June, 2015 Erulia, Bogra Sadar, Bogra Iftar Mahfil 05 28th June, 2015 Gobra, Koira thana, Khulna Iftar Mahfil 24 2nd July, 2015 Old Satkhira Town Iftar Mahfil 16 3rd July, 2015 Madaripur Iftar Mahfil 04

July 12th, 2015 Dhaka Iftar Mahfil 10 Eight Days Five districts 58 Women

A brief description of the arrest incidents along with the statement of the Police and locals will provide a

clear view of the situation.

1. Nine women arrested in Jhenaidah

On 27th June Saturday, Police arrested nine women from a house at Beparipara, Jhenaidah Municipal area

while they were conducting a while they were conducting a religious functions about Ramadan.3 Officer-

in-Charge of Police of Jhenaidah thana Biplob Kumar Nath stated that, those women were conspiring for

sabotage and they were arrested at around 2:00 pm.4 The arrest took place from the house of one Mohsin

Mia of Beparipara, confirmed by ASP (Sadar Circle) Gopinath Kanjilal.5

2. Five women arrested in Bogra

On the same day (27th June, Saturday), five more women were arrested by the Detective branch (DB) at

Bogra.6 A meeting for discussing the spiritual aspect of Ramadan was arranged by the women activists of

Jamaat at Erulia village of Bogra Sadar. The meeting was finished at around 12:00 pm, and all the

participants left the place with Iftar. However, Police intercepted the house at around 1:30 pm and

arrested five women from the spot. The official press note sent by Senior ASP Gaziur Rahman confirmed

that twenty organizational books were seized during the raid.7

3 http://www.dailynayadiganta.com/detail/news/34018 4 http://www.dailyinqilab.com/details/17510 5 http://www.dailynayadiganta.com/detail/news/34018 6 http://www.ntvbd.com/bangladesh/13133 7 http://www.breakingnews.com.bd/articles/politics/breakingnews.58191.details

3. Twenty four women arrested in Khulna

On 28th June, Police arrested twenty four women from a religious program arranged by Jamaat-e-Islami,

at Gobra village of Koira thana, Khulna.8 Koira Thana officer-in-charge (OC) Harendra Nath Sarkar

stated that police raided the meeting of around 150 women activists of Jamaat, and managed to arrest

twenty four while others fled.9 Police claimed that the women were arrested along with three bombs and

bomb making materials, though this was vehemently denied by local Jamaat organization; they termed it

as the annual Iftar program of the female branch of Jamaat. 10 However, cases would be filed in

accordance with the Explosives Substances Act, the OC added.11

4. Sixteen women arrested in Satkhira

On 2nd July, sixteen women from Puratan Satkhira area of the town were arrested by police when they

congregated for a religious discussion on Ramadan.12 According to media reports, police suddenly

stormed the gathering at the house of local businessman Mr. Fazlul Haque, and assaulted the participants,

most of whom were women with children.13 Sixteen women along with Asma Khatun, Member of Jamaat

and landlady of the house were picked up on charges of conspiring for sabotage. Police claimed to collect

four cocktails from the spot along with papers and documents of Jamaat-e-Islami.14 However, Jamaat

stated that, they were arrested from a family gathering and the house belonged to person who is the leader

of local Olama League, the religious organization of the ruling party Awami League.15

Arrested women from Satkhira

8 http://progressbangladesh.com/police-drive-in-3-districts-lead-to-arrest-of-38-village-women-4-children-at-religious-study-programs-on-ramadan-%e2%80%aain-%e2%80%8ebangladesh%e2%80%ac/ 9 http://www.banglamail24.com/news/2015/06/28/id/230918/ 10 http://www.banglamail24.com/news/2015/06/28/id/230960/ 11 http://www.dailynayadiganta.com/detail/news/34132 12 http://www.samakal.net/2015/07/03/147243 13 http://www.amardeshonline.com/pages/details/2015/07/02/290956#.VZeAvf61y01 14 http://www.dainikamadershomoy.com/2015/07/03/35708.php 15 http://www.dailysangram.com/news_details.php?news_id=194872

5. Four women arrested in Madaripur

On 3rd July, Police arrested Mahmuda Islam, the Secretary of the Women branch of Jamaat-e-Islami,

Madaripur town along with three other activists.16 This was a part of ongoing arrest and raids conducted

by the Police in that district, where a number of male activists were arrested in last few days.17

6. 10 members of Bangladesh Jamaat women wing arrested from religious gathering in Dhaka

Police officials from Detective Branch, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) have arrested 10 members of

#Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islamis women wing from a flat at Priyo Prangon building at Segunbagicha in the

capital Dhaka.

At 3pm on Sunday afternoon, a team of female police from DMP raided the house premises and arrested

them.

They were then taken to the DB office, where they have been held since. Officer in charge of Ramna

police station Moshiur Rahman confirmed the arrest of 10 Jamaat women activists.

The identity of those arrested have not been known yet, and neither have any details been revealed as to

the reason for the arrests, as police have declined to give any details on the matter.22

16 http://jamaat-e-islami.org/details.php?artid=MjIwMjI= 17 http://www.monitor-bd.net/newsdetail/detail/41/137749

Recommendations

Bangladesh is a state party of many International Conventions and the provision of those instruments are

binding on Bangladesh. But, they are being violated every day by the present Govt such as - The raids on

peaceful meetings and arbitrary arrests violates some very basic human rights which Bangladesh is

committed to protect but violating frequently.

Bangladesh is a signatory of International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) 1966 which

incorporated certain fundamental human rights. Under article 21 of this covenant, Bangladesh cannot

impose any unreasonable restriction on the right of peaceful assembly held in accordance with law.18

Afflicting the rally participants, police also disrespected the rights of protection from torture and cruel

treatment.19 This right is also guaranteed in our Constitution as a basic fundamental right.20 Apart from

that, Constitution of Bangladesh guarantees the rights of observing religious practices without any

restriction for its citizens.21 These arbitrary arrests and imposition of frivolous cases of conspiracy against

the state is a clear violation of all these rights of the citizens of Bangladesh.

Conclusion

As a democratic country, Bangladesh is now at a political crossroad. The autocratic activities of the

present illegitimate govt. are leading the country to sheer jeopardy. If the illegally assorted Parliament

majority is used as a political weapon to demolish all oppositions and to use the Law enforcing force of

the Country for their own accord, then it will worsen the already dismal socio-political situations of our

country, the crisis will touch the sky. The image of our country to the outer world is also a matter of

concern. All of the issues must be solved politically with a fair intention. The over-ambitious and

personally vilified Police officials need to be made accountable for their actions. Only then, the

development of democracy and rule of Law can be achieved in Bangladesh.

18 Article 21 of ICCPR: The right of peaceful assembly shall be recognized. No restrictions may be placed on the exercise of this right other than those imposed in conformity with the law and which are necessary in a democratic society in the interests of national security or public safety, public order, the protection of public health or morals or the protection of the rights and freedoms of others. 19 Article 7 of ICCPR: No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. 20 Article 37 of the Constitution of Bangladesh 21 Article 41 of the Constitution of Bangladesh 22http://progressbangladesh.com/10-members-of-%e2%80%aa%e2%80%8ebangladesh%e2%80%ac-jamaat-women-wing-arrested-from-religious-gathering-in-dhaka/