East London News A Force for the community…
Labour’s Bethnal Green and Bow MP Rushanara Ali has today condemned the violence in Bangladesh.
The violence arose after the War Crimes Tribunal issued its first three verdicts, in which it found current leaders of the Jamaat Party guilty of war crimes, committed during the war of independence. The Tribunal handed out two death sentences and one of life imprisonment, which provoked demonstrations on the streets and strike action in protest by Jamaat Party members and others who saw the verdicts and sentences as politically motivated and handed down by a Tribunal which does not comply with the standards of international law. The police responded firmly and have been accused of brutality in trying to quell the disturbances. There were also counterdemonstrations, most notably in Shahbagh Square in Dhaka, where protestors indicated their support for the verdicts and demanded more death sentences. Rushanara Ali made her statement (below) after being approached by constituents concerned about the loss of life and injuries sustained in the crackdown against the protests and worried that the country may be descending into civil war.
Bethnal Green and Bow MP Rushanara Ali’s statement on escalating violence in Bangladesh
Rushanara Ali said:
“The current situation in Bangladesh has raised serious concerns among the British Bangladeshi community and in the wider international community. I am shocked and saddened that this upheaval has already cost many people’s lives in recent weeks in clashes, riots, rallies and protests. There are also real concerns about human rights violations and reports of police brutality. The number of dead and injured across Bangladesh is increasing at an alarming rate and the uncertainty of the current situation continues to put people’s lives and livelihoods at risk.
“I have already made representation to the UK Foreign Secretary Rt. Hon William Hague MP requesting the British Government take urgent action and apply its influence on the Government and opposition leaders of Bangladesh to bring an end to the violence which risks destabilising the country. I appeal for calm from the British Bangladeshi community who are rightly very concerned about developments in Bangladesh. We need to focus our efforts on working towards peace and stability in Bangladesh in these difficult times.”
URGENT: Calling on British politicians to condemn police brutality against unarmed civilians in Bangladesh protesting capital punishment and the death penalty of opposition leaders
The vast majority of Bangladeshis in Britain oppose capital punishment although we want justice for victims of war crimes (including 3 million deaths and over 400,000 rapes) committed by domestic collaborators with Pakistani army officers during the 1971 War of Liberation and Independence. However, the death penalty of opposition leaders in Bangladesh (such as that issued against ex-parliamentarian DH Sayeedi) is destabilising the ancestral home of British-Bangladeshis, who are strongly opposed to the current police brutality there against unarmed civilian protesters. So far over 62 people have died and scores injured by sporadic and targeted police shooting.
Condemnation by elected British politicians, namely from government and with Bangladeshi constituents, may prevent further police brutality across Bangladesh. I am urging all British politicians including the Prime Minister and Muslim parliamentarians to publicly condemn police brutality towards unarmed civilians protesting against capital punishment, and the death penalty against opposition leaders issued by a government-held ‘kangaroo court’ known as ‘International’ War Crimes Tribunal that falls seriously short of international standards and human rights laws.
Whilst appreciating the legitimate concerns of Bangladeshis everywhere to bring to justice war criminals from the 1971 Liberation War of Independence from Pakistan, it should be noted that the United Nations does not recognise the flawed set up of the so called International War Crimes Tribunal in Dhaka. It has little or no international dimension to it let alone endorsement from the International Criminal Court in The Hague or international community that only view it as a domestic Bangladeshi presence on the panel of judges. In fact, The Economist’s coverage of leaked emails had even caused the panel’s chair, a judge, to resign a few weeks ago.
I do not support any party in Bangladesh. However, I am deeply concerned about the situation there caused by ultra-extreme secularists and condemn the government-authorised police brutality there that is causing loss of civilian lives, especially of unarmed protesters against politically motivated death sentences.
Police brutality and death sentences defeat the very objectives with which the nation was founded by the legendary Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, for fairness and justice. They should be condemned by all elected British politicians representing British-Bangladeshi constituents who are opposed to such injustice in their ancestral homeland. Perhaps only then will the Bangladesh government listen and stop the indiscriminate killing of unarmed civilian protesters. See this video link http://youtu.be/r1XoX1AVbMQ to get an idea of what the police are doing to protesters against capital punishment and death sentences of opposition politicians deemed to be an electoral threat to the ruling government at the next general election.
Write to your local MP with the text above by simply visiting http://www.WriteToThem.org.uk
Many thanks.
Wais Islam
Former Labour councillor, London Borough of Tower Hamlets
Thank you very much for your concern about backhome as we are here, thank you also for your first immidiate action to raise it to UK foreign sec Rt. Hon William Hague MP. We need extra more action from you as a mouth speaker of British-Bangladeshi that You should raise your voice to British Prime minister, British parlament, international Humane right Groups even UN pressure group or body to press Bangladesh gov’t to stop Police Brutality against innocent people( incliding Wemen & childreen)And bring Both sides to stop violent activity to each other( looting and firing Homes, Bank, businesses etc)And to stop JUDICIAL KILLINGS (Which the Main Issue of this Conflict)in the name of so called Controvercial Tribinal (named by intl Media like BBC,CNN, Aljazeera etc).
If this situation will not controll asap, the Beautiful (Sonar) Bangladesh may will turn (in my point of view) to long time unstable, even civil war! which is not likely to this Peace-Loving people.
May Almighty Allah(God) save the poor nation.
Thank you Dear MP Rushnara Ali, I m very please to see that you made the statment for our mother land, I hope u take this initiative to the British parlmant to discuss the issued of our beloved country Bangladesh ,Bangladesh is passing a very difficult time. after 1971 this current govt wanted to hang the opposition party’s leaders only for political reason .i hope you take it seriously and send the delegation to Bangladesh peace and release the leaders of other party’s and genaral people of Bangladesh .
Many thanks
Thanks very much for you attention, however Genocides continues in Bangladeshi street where unarmed and general protesters being killed brutally. Since 6th feb 2013 so far 225 killing been recorded by media, the actual number is much more. A recent photo finds many dead body floating in a water tank of a construction site in Dhaka (in secret location)which had been taken off by Police after killing.
On the other hand one of the charges against Saydee been proven but given capital punishment only to achieve political outcome.
The humanitarian crisis as well as the bias legal court should stop now, there only be an acceptable trial under an international court.
we British-Bangladeshi looking for you prompt action.
Thanks for raising concern against killing and brutality of the Bangladeh govt.
It is very shocking while policeman shooting people in the street while protesting , Therefore a lots of people have been killed in last 3 days
Stop jenocide,
free islamic lidar,
Bangladesh is now backed India, Shabag is backed by government. ICC is controlled by Awami gov. Police fired into protestor’s gathering. Gov. gave his asst. orga. Chstraligue Arms and uniform of police,rab.they killed innocent man, women even child.They burn The Hindus trample and spread that it’s occurred by Jamaat +Shibir. at lest shibir decided to gourd Hindus Institute. Police fired mass people from trample.Why? what’s it’s motive? at this moment, we hope you all must take stapes to stop Genocide. to stop questionable tribunal& free opposite leaders.Thanks.
Thanks for condemning the violence. Please also campaign for internationally accredited tribunal for the defendant of war crime tribunal for fair justice
Thank you for your comments, however please no village politics
I am asking honourable Rushanara Ali, why you didn’t said anything about involvement of Jamat/shibir in looting and burning villages, enfocing women of religious minorities specialy Hindus. You did not mention anything of the Jamaat attacks on Police with other violent campaigns. Still now ordinary people of Shahbag activities are non violent, protesting by lighting candles, holding the national flag or singing the national anthem. On the contrary what Jamat/shibir are doing please come here and see.
If you big guys can see the situation like this way, human rights wil not be established in Bangladesh and very soon Bangladesh will be like Afganistan/Pakistan Talibani country. Please go through their propagandas during this time they created and aggravated innocent Bangladeshi people to involve in mass violation altering Islam. I want to mention the characteristics of altering Islam, they did same in 1952 and 1971.I think truth will die by you like people hands’.
Hello.
I do not know upon which points you made the statement. You must be more vivid, clean, and focused. Here is a picture, please look at it. They are to kill to the supporter of Gana-jagoron stage. So, next time, think twice to make any statement.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/625511_547448198619330_75590689_n.jpg
Rushanara Ali
Don’t try to push your blady nose in bangladesh .. Bangladeshi people knows what they want really..
Don’t work for war criminals and try to save them con your Govt already leave them last week.
Be wise and make some comment’s with respect Bangladeshi people. And if you can read the try to read standards of international law and bangladeshi law so you can see the difference and don’t try to involve bangladeshi internal matter coz we don’t want any bludy british politician in bnagladesh
Didn’t know the forum rules allowed such brnlliait posts.