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End Rab's impunity

EU Parliament urges govt, expresses concern over enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings; it'll monitor 7-murder case proceedings

Diplomatic Correspondent
Voicing concern about continuing human rights violations by the Rab and other security forces, the European Parliament yesterday adopted a resolution urging the Bangladesh authorities to put an end to Rab's impunity.
Human rights violations by the Rapid Action Battalion, an emergency force cre-
ated 10 years ago with both military and police officers, should stop, said the members of European Parliament.
In the resolution on human rights violation in Bangladesh, the EP called upon the Bangladesh government to bring back the state security forces, including police and the Rab, within the bounds of law.
It strongly suggested that there should be investigations and prosecutions in respect of alleged illegal killings by the Rab forces.
The EP will closely monitor the proceedings in the Narayanganj sevenmurder case in which three Rab officers have been arrested and now await trial proceedings.
On Wednesday, the members of the EP had a debate on a joint motion for the resolution.
The resolution expressed concern at the enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings of opposition activists.
The EP called on the government to immediately release anyone subjected to an enforced disappearance, unless they can be charged with a recognisable criminal offence.
It said the government should establish an independent body to investigate such cases, and set up an effective and fully independent human rights commission.
Expressing worries at the proposed NGO law, the EP said the government should continue consultations with independent groups on the draft law's contents and to make sure that, if eventually adopted, it complies with international standards and civil rights conventions to which Bangladesh has committed itself.
It urged the Bangladesh authorities to revoke the new media policy and abide by their obligations to allow free speech and expression.
The government should recognise and respect freedom of the press and media and allow human rights groups to play an important role in strengthening accountability and documenting human rights abuses, said the EP.
Concerned at recurring cases of ethnic and religiously motivated violence, it urged the Bangladesh government to offer better protection and guarantees to minorities such as Hindus, Buddhists, Christians and Biharis.
On a positive note, the EP commended the government for the progress in achieving the Millennium Development Goals, which has resulted in significant real-life improvements for millions of its citizens.
It acknowledged that the improvements were made under difficult domestic circumstances, including constant threat of violent attacks by radical groups such as the BNP-affiliated Jamaat-e-Islami party.
The EP strongly condemned violent attacks by opposition groups against both civilian and government targets, and called on opposition groups to engage only in peaceful protests.
It emphasised the importance of an independent, impartial and accessible judicial system to enhance respect for the rule of law and the fundamental rights of the people.
Calling for reforms in the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), the EP said it was more important than ever to build confidence in the judiciary, security and human rights institution, given the increased threats in the region from terrorist organisations such as al-Qaeda.
Reiterating its call for the abolition of death penalty, the resolution welcomed the Supreme Court verdict to commute Jamaat leader Delawar Hossain Sayedee's death sentence, handed down by the ICT, to life imprisonment.
The resolution was jointly moved by six political groups in the EP. They are: Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe, Alliance of European Conservatives and Reformists, Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, European United Left-Nordic Green Left, Group of the Greens-European Free Alliance and Group of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats.