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To the Editor
Role of Saarc
To meet up the daily necessities, to ensure rudimentary education level, to get primary healthcare, to face the natural calamities collectively and finally to uphold the human rights are the simple goals of Saarc. But very little has so far been achieved.
More than 1.5 billion people i.e., one-fifth of the total world population, reside in this region and they are quite reluctant to hear any more pledges.
Saarc nations should cooperate with each other in the greater interest of peoples of the eight countries.
Kumar Krishna Biswas
Dept. of Management University of Dhaka
Living with bombs
My heart goes to the bomb victims. The incident that took place in Jhalakathi left scars on the whole nation. What we see in the streets of Iraq, what we have seen in London now comes to our own backyard. How dreadful the attack was! The debris of the micro bus tells the whole story. We are living with bombs. Where there is no security for a judge how could I cry for safety?
I don't want to know who are behind these attacks, I just want to say that the present government is
responsible for this situation. The sluggish response to the problem of Bangla Bhai was shameful.
When Bangla Bhai and his allies unleashed terror in the Rajshahi region the government patronised them. They said then that no Bangla Bhai ever existed, and that he was a creation of the media. But now the home ministry has declared a huge sum of money to nab him. It's ridiculous! They got a chance to uproot the Islamic militancy at that time but they totally ignored the matter. As a result, they gathered strength and blasted bombs all over the country.
The mindless acts of random violence against innocent people indicate the terrorists' desperation. Misguided & self destructive, the attackers are destined to lose. Most of the militants who have been arrested come from poor background, they have no formal education. The most curious thing is that most of them have Jamaat background.
The militants give Islam a bad name all over the world by killing the innocent. They even forget that Islam means peace. The Islamic militants of Bangladesh try to spread fear among us. Their goal is to drive Bangladesh back to a dark age & make it an uncivilised Taliban-like state. They are against all progressive ideas. So it's time to resist them.
It is high time for the government to go after the root cause of the militant problem, namely the fundamentalist mullahs and preachers who hide behind the facade of being religious and sow seeds of hatred and violence among people.
Solaiman Palash
Jurain, Dhaka-1204
Advertisements
Advertisements in electronic and print media and on the streets must be noticed carefully, as there are some elements of danger in them which are not supported by people. In his letter, Mr. A Mawaz wrote, "There is a Film Censor Board, but which authority monitors the advertisements in the press, and TV media, and takes action against unsafe advertisements, which children might imitate, with the risk of injury?"
I request the government to control this kind of things along with the adds that border on the vulgar! These are corrupting the minds of youths -which is in no way good for the next generation.
We must not ignore the moral education of our kids.
Atiq, DU
Visa within Saarc countries
I refer to the "13th Saarc Summit Dhaka Declaration" wherein approximately 30 times or more the words "regional cooperation" were found.
Over these 20 years or more of Saarc's existence, there have been numerous unanimous agreements and resolutions, but little has been achieved at the field level.
Let's hope that the 13th Saarc Summit recently held in Dhaka will be a watershed in the era of implementation, that is, an accountable implementation of the aforesaid words "regional cooperation". The civil society is the hardest hit as all their hopes & aspirations invariably dashed to smithereens, after the wrap-up of each and every Saarc Summit.
Especially, this has become a fact of life after every issuance of the "Text of Saarc Summit Declaration" when they approach the Saarc High Commissions for Visa with sky high hopes and optimism & ultimately realise that it was a "Pie in the sky pipe dreams".
The print media is replete with instances of such complaints and condemnations by those who returned from the High Commissions empty handed, having approached with high hopes to meet their near and dear ones, especially in India and Pakistan.
Rukia Cassim Putool, Chittagong
The Shaukat Aziz interview
In the backdrop of the Saarc summit your daily published a high-profile interview with visiting Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz. I find it most heartening that Mr. Aziz elaborated his deep desire for brotherly relations and counseled more people level contacts to invigorate Saarc. The same DS issue also had a small letter from a reader which mentioned what many Bangladeshis have recently found out that the Pakistan High Commission in Dhaka has stopped issuing visas for those who need to travel for family or business purposes. If this is the measure of brotherly relations and Pakistan's contribution to people-to-people contacts, frankly we can do without it.
Don't get me wrong. I am a great well wisher of Pakistan and count many Pakistanis as family members and good friends. When they play anyone except Bangladesh, I am an enthusiastic supporter of their cricket and hockey teams as well. But I am sick and tired of this hollow talk of Muslim brotherhood, free trade zones, and neighborly relations which, in
practice, is nothing more than unadulterated, undiluted, unkempt hypocrisy.
In your next interview with Mr. Aziz or any other Pakistani leader, I hope you ask him to explain the gulf between his words and his government's actions.
Esam Sohail, Kansas City, US
Who will save us?
Fear has proved its might. Given the
discourse of terror, this was neither unexpected nor overwhelming. I feel this is just the beginning of a new culture-a culture that creates live killing machines, promotes death and gets energy from innocents' blood and life. Who are there to stop these Hydras? The government, which endures this cult? Intelligentsia- who are bifurcated over their own interests? Civil society- a non-existential concept? Where is the state heading for?
I am a worried man.
Hasan Reza
PhD Candidate
University of Chicago, US
Bombing
It is very discomforting to read and hear people in responsible positions trying to find comfort in the fact that bombs are being exploded in Delhi, Bali, London, Karachi and elsewhere ! Among others, one Senior Minister and an MP ( a retired Major General) have done that very recently. One may humbly ask -- while the perpetrators
in those places may have an agenda, what was the aim on 17 August? Was the whole nation targeted ?
A very grim and disturbing thought indeed, as it is also fatal to find solace in bad examples.
You don't keep your backyard unguarded just because your neighbour's has been looted recently !
A Citizen
Park for women
It is very important for us to maintain our physical fitness.
Particularly for women eating balanced food, doing regular exercises, spending time in open places are very much required as they have to work a lot. For this reason, these days we see many health conscious women taking a walk in different lanes and open places in the afternoon or evening in order to keep themselves fit. But one problem is that while doing it they sometimes have to face unpleasant situations in the presence of eve teasers or anti social elements. Since every woman can't afford to go to gym,
walking or jogging in parks or open places is the best alternative for her. Another problem is that because of massive shrinking and erosion of lands there are few places where people can take a break in nature and lift their spirits from the soul-numbing environment of a big city.
Some big parks such as Ramna Park, Suhrawardy Uddyan are there in Dhaka but owing to lack of security and other problems it is almost impossible for women to visit these places.
So, I appeal to the authorities concerned to take initiative to develop parks, specifically for women in all areas of Dhaka.
Rubab Abdullah
Daffodil International University Dhanmondi, Dhaka
Nepalese King's speech
The King of Nepal, in his opening day speech at the 13th Saarc Summit made his intentions clear saying that the security situation in Nepal had improved since he came to power. After India withdrew its objection, the
monarch got the chance to address the summit.
But the political parties back in his home protested his taking part in the summit. The king pledged to hold general elections by 2007 but who would dare to stand as candidate or who would take the risk of voting is a different story altogether. Katmandu doesn't represent the entire nation.
To walk through the downtown with barricades of security personnel and to take floral gifts (security checked) from people who don't know what you are up to is not equivalent to making pledges to the world. And everybody understands that he has to end his coup sooner or later. Otherwise, the monarchy may become a tragic history in Nepal. This possibility has become more real as the frontline political parties have omitted their 'supportive note' on monarchy from their declaration after the last convention.
It would therefore be better for the king to take things in a different way, communicate with the parties, talk
with the rebels and be like his elder brother, who is cherished and missed in good and bad times by the general people.
Shemanta Nepali
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Photos of Dhaka city
We hear that Dhaka city took a new and festive look on the occasion of Saarc summit.
While there was a photo on the front page of your daily , we would like to see more photos of important roads and beautified areas to have a glimpse of the new look.
Hope you will have a photo page dedicated to this occasion and make it available in the internet edition for overseas readers.
Wasim Mahmud Sydney, Australia
Bangladesh - most corrupt country?
The allegation that Bangladesh is the most corrupt country in the world should not be taken seriously. Bangladesh will always be a target of such allegations. Such allegations are usually reserved for the countries who have a weak government, weak media and weak security.
We must grow a thick skin and engage in building a strong stable country.
M Taluk, Dhaka
Rights of detained foreigners
More than one thousand foreign nationals including some recognised refugees are languishing in different jails in Bangladesh. A great number of them are there for several years, even after finishing their terms or being acquitted. It is learned that most of such inmates -classified as "released prisoners" - are rotting behind bars in the absence of minimum facilities over there.
For cases of those who have completed sentences, there are mainly two reasons for not getting released: the foreign missions or governments concerned are not interested in their release and repatriation, and the person concerned is not willing to return back to his or her country of origin, fearing oppression or persecution from the state authorities or others. The latter one is applicable in most of the cases of Myanmar nationals here. They are mainly in jails in Cox's Bazar, Bandarban, Chittagang and Comilla.
According to officials and other relevant sources, many of them have been in jail for more than two years. There are even instances of some "released" prisoners in the lock-up for over five years.
There are nearly 200 convicted foreign nationals and 400 others waiting for trial in jails, as sources indicated. The foreign nationals are from Myanmar, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, South Africa, Tanzania, Saudi Arabia etc.
It is difficult for journalists or human rights activists to gather the exact figure. However, according to reliable sources the country-wise break down is as follows: Myanmar-about 600, India- 200, Thailand- 70, and the rest are from different countries.
Only in Cox's Bazar jail, there are reportedly about 500 Myanmar nationals. Out of them about 200 are released prisoners, while 350 are under-trial
prisoners (UTP) and 50 are convicted ones. Most of the Myanmar nationals are ethnic Rohingyas from the northern Rakhine state who came here over the years for violation of their human rights and fearing persecution. They are accused in different cases which include: illegal entry into the country, robbery, smuggling of arms and drugs, and other crimes.
There are reportedly 130 refugees, mostly nationals of Myanmar in Cox's Bazar and Bandarban jails.
The UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, has reportedly been arranging legal assistance especially for the refugees. However, this process is now stuck as the authorities have not been allowing the relevant staff from UNHCR to meet detained refugees or asylum seekers in the jail. This practice is contradictory to the norms of international law.
According to the provision of the international human rights law, two agencies: International Committee of Red Cross and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) are mandated to visit detainees of foreign nationalities and asylum seekers/refugees in jails. The staff concerned are supposed to meet them to take note of their desire and necessities. The information would remain confidential and would be used for the interest of persons concerned only (that does not include saving anyone involved in criminal activities; the aim is to ensure proper legal representation for defence of the individuals and to let the law to take its own course). However, as mentioned, the scenario is not favourable in Bangladesh. It is alleged that UNHCR is hardly allowed to visit intending asylum seekers and refugees in jails.
According to concerned officials they are doing this for security reason. However, for the sake of security or any other reason rights of the detainees should not be compromised. The authorities should be proactive in this regard to find out solutions in consultation with UNHCR or other human rights organisations. Previously, UNHCR staff could meet refugees in Cox's Bazar jail whenever necessary.
Bangladesh is not a party to the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of the Refugees and its 1067 Protocols. Nor it does have any legislation on refugees despite hosting thousands of refugees for years.
However, Bangladesh is a party to major international human rights instruments, which oblige the State to follow some norms in terms of dealing with detainees, especially with foreign nationals. Article 1 1(1) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) to which Bangladesh is a party provides that “Everyone charged with a penal offence has the right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty according to law in a public trial at which he has had all the guarantees necessary for his defence.”
So, there is an obligation from the government side. It is expected that the authorities concerned would coordinate with UNHCR or other human rights organisations in this regard.
Udatta Bikash, Ph.D.
Human Rights Researcher and Practitioner Dhaka