Wed 12 Mar 2008
The government’s human rights record worsened, in part due to the state of emergency and postponement of elections. The Emergency Powers Rules of 2007 (EPR), imposed by the government in January and effective through year’s end, suspended many fundamental rights, including freedom of press, freedom of association, and the right to bail. The anticorruption drive initiated by the government, while greeted with popular support, gave rise to concerns about due process. For most of the year the government banned political activities, although this policy was enforced unevenly. While there was a significant drop in the number of extrajudicial killings by security forces, they were accused of serious abuses, including custodial deaths, arbitrary arrest and detention, and harassment of journalists. Some members of security forces acted with impunity and committed acts of physical and psychological torture. Violence against women and children remained a major problem, as was trafficking in persons.
The full 2007 reoprt on Human rights in Bangladesh by the US state department can be found here
March 12th, 2008 at 7:15 pm
Foregn powers, specially super powers who has got political and economic interest will always make comments and preferably negative comments on the weaker countries. Due to her geopolitical significance, focus on BD is being increased. However, I never support extra judicial killing those took place in the recent past. At the same time, I also do not like to recognize the presence of their ugly nose regarding our internal affair. I think we have our educated people to speak on the issues. Moreover, I also get some touch of politicization of the situation linking the absence of human rights reports on pre 1/11 scenario. Many of the time, I feel the media is so much energized to focus on the criticism of the present govt, as such, pre 1/11 situation was even better.
I think wee need to rethink on our independence and look within own forum and at the same time forget our days under the british rule……..chamchami of the foregners
Sorry if I have heart any1. Abir.
March 12th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
This is a deeply flawed report. Read the complete report and see what is missing. You will find some significant developments from 2007 are missing. Then ask yourself why.