The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), a US Congressional panel, dropped Bangladesh from its Watch List of countries deemed to violate minorities' right to religious freedom.

The absence of measures to promote minority voting rights and the failure of the government to investigate the severe anti-minority violence of 2001 were among the reasons for which Bangladesh was placed in the Watch List

from 2005 to 2008.

However, in light of the positive developments witnessed during the December 29,2008 general elections, the commission removed Bangladesh from its Watch List of2009.

Bangladesh government welcomed the US Congressional panel's decision.

The USCIRF places a number of countries across the world in three categories.

1. Countries of Particular Concern: Burma, North Korea, Eritrea, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan,

SEE PAGE 15 COL 1 restrictions on assembly were again ostensibly lifted to allow protests by Islamic groups against a policy proposed by a consortium of women's organisations to strengthen constitutional provision for the equal rights of women. In October 2008. federal agencies removed five sculptures of traditional Bengali musicians opposite Zia International Airport in Dhaka at the behest of Islamic leaders, who allegedly deemed the sculptures un-Islamic.

Turning to minorities situation, it said although the con stitution provides protections for women and minorities, Hindus. Buddhists. Christians, Ahmadiyyas, and other minorities must regularly grapple with societal discrimination, as well as face prejudice that hinders their ability to access public services, the legal system. and government, military, and police employment.

The commission recommended that the US government encourage the new government of Bangladesh to take early actions on the following issues and ensure consistent implementation.

1. Investigate and prosecute perpetrators of the antiminority violence that occurred in the wake of the 2001 national elections.

2. Repeal the Vested Property Act and commit to restoring or compensating owners for properties seized, including the heirs of original owners.

3. Rescind the 2004 order banning Ahmadiyya publications, and ensure adequate police response to attacks agains t Ahmadiyyas.

4. Enforce all provisions of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord and declare that members of Bangladesh's tribal communities are deserving of the full rights of Bangladeshi citizenship.

5. Create and support the promised National Human Rights Commission, which should be independent, adequately funded, inclusive of women and minorities, and defined by a broad mandate that includes freedom of religion or belief.

6. Include in all public and madrasa school curricula, textbooks, and teacher namings information on ‘tolerance andrespect for free- ■ dom of religion or belief.

7. Ensure that members of minority communities have equal access to government services and public employment, including the judiciary and high-level government positions.

FROM PAGE 1

China. Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Turkmenistan. Uzbekistan and Vietnam

2. The Commission's Watch List: Afghanistan. Belarus. Cuba, Egypt, Indonesia, Laos, Russian Federation. Somalia. Tajikistan. Turkey and Venezuela.

3. Additional Countries Closely Monitored: Bangladesh, Kazakhstan and Sri Lanka.

The USCIRF in its 2009 annual report released on May 1 observed that the Awami League is considered more favourably disposed towards minority rights protection, based in part on the fact that the 1997 Chinagong Hill Thicis Peace Accord and the Vested Property Return Act. both measures meant to safeguard minority rights, were taken under a previous Awami League administration.

It said the 2008 elections allowed minorities to exercise their voting rights and the country proceeded without die anti-minority violence, which was seen after the national elections in 2001.

The report said at that time the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)-led government failed to investigate or prosecute acts of severe violence, including killings, rape, land seizures, arson, and extortion committed against religious minorities, particularly Hindus, who were perceived to be allied to the then-opposition Awami League.

Despite these improvements, USCIRF report said Bangladesh continues to have outstanding religious freedom issues and face threats from religious extremism.

The commission, therefore, urges the new Awami League administration to strengthen protections for all Bangladeshis to enjoy the right to freedom of religion or belief, and undertake efforts to improve conditions for minority religious communities.

The commission hopes that the government of Bangladesh will investigate and prosecute, to the fullest extent of the law, perpetrators of violent acts against members of minority religious communities, women, and n o n -govemmental organisations in tire past

-45efc*»»v4iRlu«judiGiaryand-the police are also necessary to ensure that law enforcement and security services are equally protective of the rights of all, including Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, Ahmadiyyas, and other minorities.

Additional efforts are needed to counter societal and governmental discrimination in access to public services, the legal system, and government, military, and police employment, the report added.

According to the report, the BNP led by IQialeda Zia shared power with Islamist parties during 2001-06, when the country witnessed an unprecedented rise in religious intolerance.

After refusing to for long, the BNP-led alliance government, in the face of protests at home and an international outcry, banned four Islamist outfits.

The commission observed that the 1972 constitution guaranteed the freedom of religion, but subsequent military regimes added amendments affirming 'absolute trust and faith in Allah" as "the basis for all [government] actions." Islam was made Bangladesh’s state religion in 1988 under HM Ershad's militarydictatorship.

Aided by the expansion of Islamic schools (madrasas) and charities, many of which receive foreign funding with varying degrees of government oversight, Islamist activists have gained significantly in political, economic, and social influence in recent years, the commission's report reads.

Members of Jamaat-e-Islami allegedly used their influence in the previous BNP-led government to deny funding disadvantaged groups viewed as opposing Jamaat's Islamist political and social agenda, it said.

It >aid the caretaker government was widely criticised by international and local human rights agencies for serious human rights abuses, including suspected extrajudicial killings by security forces, arbitrary detentions, torture, curbs on press freedom, and violations of the right to due process.

During the 2007-2008 emergency period, the commission said Islamist groups rose in political prominence and public visibility. In September 2007, emergency restrictions on assembly were apparently waived to allow Jamaat and other Islamist supporters bum effigies and stage public protests against the publication of a newspaper cartoon they believed mocked an element of Bangladeshi Islamic culture.

Cartoonist Arifur Rahman was jailed without charge for six months. In March 2008,