& çâÌæÚUæð´ ·¤è ¥ôÚU Îð¹Ùæ ÁæÚUè ÚU¹ð´ ¥ÍæüÌ ¥ÂÙð ÜÿØ ÂÚU ŠØæÙ ÚU¹ð´Ð ãæÚU Ù ×æÙð´, €UØô´ç·¤ ·¤æ× ·¤ÚUÙð âð ¥æÂ·¤ô ©gðàØ ·¤è Âýæç# ãôÌè ãñ ¥õÚU ÁèßÙ ·¤æ ¹æÜèÂÙ ÎêÚU ãôÌæ ãñÐ ÖÜð ãè ÁèßÙ ×ð´ ç·¤ÌÙè Öè ·¤çÆÙæ§ü €UØô´ Ù ¥æ°, çÁ™ææâæ ¥õÚU ©ˆâæã ÕÙæ° ÚU¹ð´Ð ŠØæÙ ÚU¹ð´, ÜÿØ ã×ðàææ ¥æÂ·Ô¤ Âæâ ãôÌð ãñ´ çÁ‹ãð´ ÂæÙð ·Ô¤ çÜ° ÂýØæâ ¥æÂ ·¤Öè Öè àæéM¤ ·¤ÚU â·¤Ìð ãñ´Ð

Dhaka refutes US report on human rights

UNB, Dhaka
A foreign ministry spokesperson yesterday said the US report on human rights in Bangladesh is neither reflective of ground realities nor substantiated by adequate and up to date information.
The US report said Bangladesh government's human rights record remained poor with numerous human rights abuses continuing.
When asked to comment on the US State Department's reference to Bangladesh in its 'Country reports on Human Rights Practices 2002', the spokesperson said Bangladesh is fully committed to uphold internationally accepted standards of human rights and is a signatory to all international instruments on human rights.
"Bangladesh's commitments to these international standards are amply reflected in her national priorities. The country is on its way to consolidating democratic institutions, upholding democratic values, promoting rule of law and ensuring economic development and emancipation of the poorer sections of the society," the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson also said that Bangladesh's achievements in the socio-economic sectors for the advancement of women, children and minorities as well as her contribution to the global fight against terrorism are acknowledged and appreciated by the international community.
The spokesperson referred to a recent assessment of the US administration where Christina Rocca, US Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia in the Congressional Hearing held on 20 March 2003, termed Bangladesh as "a voice of moderation among developing countries, in Islamic world and in South Asia".
The spokesperson, however, said the report mentioned the government measures taken for independence of judiciary and relevant legal reforms to improve the human rights situation. The US report also referred to the replacement of Public Safety Act that lacked provision for bail with the Speedy Trial Act, which ensures quicker disposal of cases as well as bail.
Nonetheless, the spokesperson said that the report failed to provide a comprehensive grasp of developments, which have taken place in Bangladesh in the year 2002.
The report also appears inadequate in terms of up to date information on disposal of cases and the remedial measures taken. The report is also not reflective of the fact that judicial inquiry has been initiated into many reported incidents of death in custody and other alleged atrocities committed by the law enforcing agencies.
The spokesperson added that the overall track record of human rights situation in Bangladesh is commendable. Bangladesh has often been cited as a model of communal harmony in the region and beyond.
The government of Bangladesh is committed to uphold and protect the rights of the people guaranteed by the Constitution without any discrimination, the spokesperson noted.