Rights Day was observed ui 35 districts i« Bangladesh this year

A hundred socio-cultural functKu»< rallies and proces stuns arftl discussion progra mutes took place not just on December 10 itself but over a period of ten days. Human Rights Day posters were spotted outside Dhaka for the first lime

All this would have been unthinkable two years ago. During the last few years, human rights is Iteing increasingly discussed among educated urban circles and some political organisations But do these outward manifestations indicate an improvement in the human rights situation in 1994? Has a triumph for democracy brought about a victory for human rights tn Bangladesh?

Optimistic observations are qualified by exceptions. Ain O Salish Kendra, a human rights and legal aid centre, comments. There is today a greater concern about individual and collective rights within a democratic society: nevertheless an erosion in the rule of law as well as a growing culture of intolerance has contributed to an escalation in violence."

The Coordinating Council of Human Rights (CCHRBL an umbrella organisation of different human rights groups, points out that without achieving the five basic rights of shelter, education, food, clothing and health, one cannot even begin to speak of an Improvement in human rights. "Human rights has not improved on the macro-level." the CCHRB believes. "Even in a democracy, there is no Improvement in these five areas.'

The apathy of both government and opposition par , ties, rather than their interference causes more damage. The perpetrators of violence' appear to have gained greater immunity." ASK believes. "First many of them are assured of political or official protection and second, they take advantage of public apathy or power fessness: the law enforcing agencies have also encouraged such violations by their reluctance to act according to the rules."

As if these were not enough, a widening social rift between liberals and the religious right has had serious repercussions for human rights in 1994. A comprehensive review of the human rights situation In 1994 Is not possible here, but a few areas

have been chosen for a closer look. '

Women

Amnesty International reports that fundamental rights of women have been repeatedly violated by Muslim clerics and Islamist groups in Bangladesh over the past few months (October 1994 report).

Salish verdicts and fatwas remain a serious cause for concern. Salish or village arbi-tyabon councils, continue to try people applying a form of Sharia law in contravention of civil law. In addition, the CCHRB has documented over 50 cases of fatwa in this year alone.

Only two weeks ago. according to the CCHRB. Rezia Akhtar Reena, a young unmarried girl of Hasanpur village committed suicide in Fulaganj thana, district of Fenl. The Chairman of Anandapur Union who Investigated the girl's case, concluded that she was not pregnant. Despite this finding the village headman Insisted that she was pregnant and ordered 101 lashings to be administered. He also said that the family would no longer be ostracised if he and others were invited for dinner. However, unable to bear the shame of her situation. Reena ended her life on December 16. Victory Day. The perpetrator of such Incidents have only been brought to Justice in one case.

Women working with NGOs have also been targeted for at tack. For example., Farida Begum and her husband were to be beaten 101 times because she worked with BRAC. accordfrig to a fatwa issued by an imam (Janakantha 28 March 1994). In another development unique to this year, latwas were issued in Feni and Noakhall districts In March 1994 directing women to stay Indoors and refrain from unIsla mlc activities like voting.

The lack of any condemnation of these activities by the government or other political parties is worrying. “Political silence, ineffectiveness of police action in enforcing the law has not only allowed several maulvis and madrassah imams to escape justice, but for a recurrence of fatwa incidents across the country." ASK be lleves. The whole Issue of rule of law has been side stepped

by the dubious claim of cus loniary practice."

Children

Children are possibly the most neglected citizens of this country.- Unicef reports that by international standards, ohly seven per cent of Bangladesh’s children can be called nutritionally normal. Furthermore, seven out of ten people are affected by some degree of Iodine deficiency which can lead to mental retardation and lower IQ levels.

Children continue to be economically active despite existing laws prohibiting child labour. A UCEF (Under Privileged Children's Education Programme) official said in September that children are found in at least 121 different occupations. Child garment workers have received the most attention In the last two years due to the impending threat of the Harkin s Bill in the U.S. The Bill has been hfavlly criticised for its simplistic and coercive approach to a complicated so cial problem.

However, initial alarmist reactions have proved unfounded. 1994 has shown that the problem of child labour Is not insurmountable as long as inflexible measures are exchanged for a greater understanding of the prevailing economic conditions. As far as the garments sector is concerned. it seems that 12-14 year olds will be allowed to do light work If they receive two hours schooling.

Child trafficking is also a growing area for concern. The Home Minister told the house that a total of 671 women and children have been rescued from traffickers from 1991 till October 1994. However, when questioned by Farida Hasan MP. the Minister said he did not know anything about the Bangladeshi children being smuggled out to be used as camel jockeys (Dally Star 28/11/94). There Is. obviously a need for greater awareness of the problem before the necessary regulatory legislation can be passed

Police and Prisoners

The figures for death In police custody and prisons are alarming. In 1994 the total

number of deaths in prison and police custody has increased to 38. This Is the highest in three years. In 1993. a total of 18 persons died of unnatural death In po lice custody and prisons. Only two months ago. a case was filed against the Mlrpur. OC and others for the death In custody of Sanaullah a young man. This trend Is completely unacceptable in a democratic state as It demonstrates scant respect for human rights In the police force.

The only consolation Is the Introduction of seven days training on the role of the police In preserving human rights by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police for the first time ever. Organisations like the CCHRB started giving classes this September.

Law and Order

A look at the headlines will tell any citizen that law and order is In a dismal state. According to data compiled by the CCHRB for their year end report, there have been 1350 Incidents of dacoity in the last three months alone. At this rate, the number of incidents a year would amount to at least 5.000. Last year there were 2.160 cases recorded for 12 months.

There have also been five deaths on campus recorded in the last three months alone. Although the total number of deaths in 1994 may prove to lx- lower than the 40 casualties last year, violence on campus has not decreased.

Freedom of expression had an exceptionally trying time this year. Taslima Nasreen. the feminist writer left the country to escape threats on her life. Charges against her for "hurting the religious feelings of Muslims" have not been dropped and the hearing has been set for January 3. Four editors of the Janakantha were also charged in June under 295A of the Penal Code for hurting the religious feelings of Muslims. Apart from these, there have been a number of attacks on journalists and newspaper offices this year.

Minorities

According to the CCHRB. the maltreatment of religious minorities continued tn 1994 as a fall out from the Babri Mosque destruction In

December 1992. "Ail throughout 1994. a lot of Hindu property has been looted. In one year we have made up for the lack of incidents in previous years.' the organisation In forms. These Incidents are hardly picked up by the press. However. CCHRB takes pain to add that most of the cases are usually financially motivated, rather than anything else. Ethnic and religious minorities are regarded as weak underdogs and therefore easy prey.

A Silver Lining?

A review of 1994 is apt to prove a depressing experience. but is there a silver lining to It all? Perhaps the most encouraging trend of 1994 Is democracy from the grassroots. There has been a rising consciousness of political rights among the people even In the villages. 'It is really sensational to see women vote and discuss candidates and issues. Instead of Just following their husbands." Father Timm observes.

A black law has also been put to bed this year. The government decided not to extend the term of the AntiTerrorism Act Until September 1994. some 1.394 cases were filed and some 3.358 accused were arrested

Conclusion

Human rights violations oc cur more readily where people are Ignorant about their rights It Is therefore Imperative to make human rights education compulsory In sc hools.

t Ik lack' of access to legal ■ ■ niedies for the vast majority of the jx ouu^ton and delay in justice furux. ravate the st tuation. The La L, cretary admitted that there are 3 lakh cases pending in different courts and 11.000 pending in the Supreme Court alone.

Bangladesh is not among the major human rights violators in the world. Poverty, rather than deliberate repres sion. is usually tlx- main reason for our short comings Most of the organisations say that they are not pessimistic and that there is still reason to be hopeful. "If human rights continues In this spirit of increasing awareness of issues, then in another five years, we may be able to pressure the governmerit into incorporating human rights into the curricu lum." the CCHRB believes That would make compiling the human rights review for year 2000 a merrier task.

With due acknowledgment to ASK CCHRB. and Amnesty IntcrnatkmaL Dhaka