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'Protection of human rights diminished'

UK govt report says on Bangladesh; concerned at extrajudicial killings, freedom of expression

Staff Correspondent
The UK has voiced concern over an increase in allegations of extrajudicial killings and further decline in freedom of expression in Bangladesh.
The number of reports of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances during the "war on drugs" from May to July last year supported allegations that the security forces continue to be able to act with impunity, says the report "Human Rights and Democracy 2018" by the UK's Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).
In the annual report released on Thursday, the FCO mentioned that many incidents from previous years remained unresolved, and it continued to raise the issues of complying with human rights standards with Bangladesh government. The report analysed what governments have done to promote and defend human rights globally, echoing the principles and values enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders.
“The protection of human rights and democracy in Bangladesh diminished in 2018, and a general election in December was affected by numerous credible allegations of irregularities and by significant violence," it said.
On the occasion of the report's release, UK Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said in a statement, "Today's report makes for sobering reading. Respect for human rights globally seems to be at an all-time low. As foreign secretary I will ensure that British diplomats continue to defend and protect human rights wherever they are."
The FCO noted that freedom of expression in Bangladesh drew
significant attention of the UK and Bangladesh's civil society following the introduction of the controversial Digital Security Act in October last year.
Bangladesh government sought to reassure the public that the law was designed to protect privacy and maintain religious harmony, but civil society saw it as a restriction on freedom of expression ahead of the general election, it noted.
The UK raised the issue with Bangladesh government and called for the law to be brought in line with the provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Referring to rights body Ain o Salish Kendra, the FCO mentioned that 54 journalists were charged last year under the Information and Communication Technology Act, which criminalises posting of inflammatory or derogatory information online against the state or individuals.
Shahidul Alam, a photo journalist and human rights activist, was arrested under the act in August. Jeremy Hunt,
other UK ministers, and the high commission raised Alam's case with Bangladesh government. Alam was released in November, it said.
The report further said the UK was consistent and clear that it wanted to see free, fair, inclusive and peaceful elections, which would support Bangladesh's development as a democratic and prosperous country. Jeremy Hunt delivered this message to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in September during the UN General Assembly.
UK ministers repeatedly raised concerns about the election with Bangladesh government and opposition parties throughout 2018, it noted.
"While it was encouraging that all opposition parties eventually contested the elections, there were credible accounts of obstacles, including arrests, which constrained or prevented campaigning by opposition parties, and of irregularities in the conduct of elections on polling day which
prevented some people from voting."
The UK called for a full, credible and transparent resolution of all complaints related to the conduct of the elections.
The report pointed out that there was sluggish progress in implementation of Bangladesh's National Plan of Action to Combat Human Trafficking for 2018-2020.
On the Rohingya issue, it said, "Bangladesh showed great generosity in welcoming the Rohingya refugees, and conditions in the refugee camps in Cox's Bazar improved in comparison with the start of the crisis in August 2017.
"However, risks remained, including sexual violence, trafficking, violent crime, abduction, exploitation, and limited access to basic services for men, women and children in the camps."
Challenging conditions and issues relating to their legal status under Bangladeshi law meant that access to justice and security remained limited, the report added.