Terming human rights (HRs) situation in Bangladesh in 2018 very alarming, a legal aid and rights group reported the record number of extrajudicial killings that year.
Economic, social and cultural trends were satisfactory in marked contrast to the areas of civic and political rights, it observed.
"The overall human rights situation in Bangladesh in 2018 was very alarming," said Sheepa Hafiza, executive director of the Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK).
She made the observations as she placed the ASK's annual report on the overall rights situation at a press briefing held at Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU).
Ms Hafiza said the country witnessed a total of 466 extrajudicial killings in the outgoing year, which was the record highest of such incidents here.
As many as 292 incidents alone took place during anti-narcotics drive from May until the December 30 national election, he added.
In 2017, the number of such killings amounted to 162, the ASK executive said citing the report.
"We want proper investigation into all such killings," she said.
Reading out a written statement, ASK deputy director Neena Goswami said some 34 people went missing after being picked up by people identifying them as lawmen.
Of them, only 19 have been traced out and most are in prisons in different cases, she stated.
Ms Goswami said 34 were killed in 470 reported incidents of violence across the country since the announcement of the poll schedule until December 31.
Of them, 19 were identified as supporters of the ruling Awami League, four of Bangladesh Nationalist Party, one of Ansar and VDP force and 10 common perple.
The ASK report said 732 rapes were registered in the past 12 months and 63 victims murdered while seven others committed suicide after rape.
Regarding the rape of women and children, it said the country has not seen any effective trial and punishment that virtually led to the recurrence of such crimes.
The organisation highlighted the need for a combined effort by the government and the general public to create a culture of upholding human rights in society.
A total of 1,011 children were subjected to abuse with 283 murders and 108 suicides after abuse, it said.
Sixty-seven people were killed in political violence last year, the report mentioned. ASK senior coordinator Abu Ahmed Foyzul Kabir was also present during the disclosure of the report.
© 2024 - All Rights with The Financial Express
