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Govt asked to ensure fair trial

3 int'l labour rights groups write to PM

Staff Correspondent
Three international labour rights groups have sought fair trial for the murder of labour leader Aminul Islam which they think will help Bangladesh regain its GSP status in the LIS market.
Leaders of the International Trade Union Confederation, UNI Global Union and IndustriALL Global Union made the demand in a letter to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on April 3, the second anniversary of the murder.
A leader of Bangladesh Centre for Workers Solidarity, Aminul's bullet-riddled body was found near Tangail on April 4, 2012 after he was abducted from hisSavar residence.
"We condemned the torture and murder of Aminul Islam on 4 April 2012 in the strongest terms and have repeatedly called on your government to undertake a thorough investigation into his murder," read the letter.
The Daily Star has obtained a copy of the letter. It said strong evidence indicates that Aminul was targeted for his indefatigable work as a labour organiser and human rights advocate and that the perpetrators of this crime include members of the government security apparatus.
"We are extremely disappointed that, two years later, so little progress has been made and no one has yet been held accountable. We therefore call on the government of Bangladesh to reopen the investigation to ensure that all of the perpetrators are identified, charged and brought to justice,"
said the labour groups.
They also pointed out that the Bangladesh government would do well to address these concerns at a time when it is seeking to regain its duty-free access to the US market for non-RMG exports, while maintaining the duty-free status with the European Union.
The letter urged the government to demonstrate its commitment to basic human rights and a socially-responsible garment industry by ensuring that Aminul's murder is fully investigated and his killers prosecuted.
The three organisations pledged their commitment to contribute to the development of a safe and sustainable textile and garment industry, which plays a major role in Bangladesh's economy.
But for this, it requires full respect for international core labour standards, including the right to freedom of association and to bargain collectively, continued revisions of minimum wages to reach living wages, and the success of the /Xccord on Fire and Building Safety, whose implementation is well underway, noted the letter.
Arresting the killers of Aminul is one of the 16 conditions set by the US government for reinstatement of the GSP in the US market that was scrapped on June 27 last year, citing serious shortcomings in labour rights and working condition.
The government is scheduled to send the progress report on meeting the conditions to the United States trade representative on April 15.