AI to ask govt to lift some restrictions of emergency

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The visiting mission of Amnesty International (AI) will ask the government to lift some restrictions imposed under the emergency rules on human rights and wants to see it taking initiatives to try the war criminals of 1971, reports UNB.
"There are some restrictions, which we're observing as excessive and will ask the government to lift those… We'll ask the government to work in accordance with international law," visiting AI secretary general Irene Khan told reporters Saturday.
She was briefing the journalists on the sidelines of a seminar titled 'Campaign for Human Dignity' held at the LGED Extension Building at Agaorgaon in the city. Chaired by Irene Khan, the programme, jointly organised by AI and Manusher Jonno Foundation, was moderated by MJF executive director Shaheen Anam.
Asked which restrictions the AI would ask the government to lift, Irene mentioned about fair trial (of arrested alleged corrupts), holding assembly (especially to facilitate the human rights orgnaistaion's activities), freedom of expression and restriction on media.
"We're not in favour of or against the state of emergency… We're saying that human rights can also be kept even in a state of emergency… In the rules of state of emergency, the restrictions are written in such a vague and broad way that many fall under the criteria," she said.
The AI general secretary said there were international laws regarding war crimes and criminals the principles of which were universal. "The laws say that any war criminal in any country at any time should have to be prosecuted and we'll discuss it with the government," she said.
"We would like to listen what the government can do (about war criminals)… We want this government to take some initiatives and the future government must complete the task," the visiting AI mission chief said.
She said the mission would push for reform that would have a lasting effect on human rights. Irene felt that there was a window of opportunity that could turn the trend this country had suffered from.
"In this country there has been a culture of impunity. The term impunity means that there is no accountability for human rights violations committed by the state. This culture of impunity goes back to 1971, we feel it as an institutional problem," she said.
Asked what institutional reforms the AI is speaking of, Irene mentioned there needs to be a strong independent judiciary, police reform, action to address torture and ill-treatment, RAB and the military need to be held accountable for human rights violations, an effective National Human Rights Commission, freedom of information legislation, freedom of the media and protection for human rights defenders and social activists.
About bail for the arrested alleged corrupts, she said the government wants to create a new Bangladesh where there would not be any injustice and corruption.
"So, the government also should work justly. It's has been said in the international human rights treaties, which Bangladesh also signed, that everyone had the right to justice. So, we also want the government to maintain the obligations (of the treaties)," she said.
During its five-day visit, Irene said the AI mission would call on the Chief Adviser and other advisers, and discuss the progress towards democracy during the period of state of emergency that would complete one year on Friday (Jan 11).
At the day's seminar, discussions on gender, poverty, environment, development, indigenous people, dalit and religious minorities were also held.
David Petrasek of AI, President of Women for Women Prof Mahmuda Islam, Chairperson of Shamunnay Dr Atiur Rahman, country representative of IUCN Dr Ainun Nishat, director of BRAC Sheepa Hafija and director of Research Institute of Bangladesh Dr Meghna Guhathakura, among others, spoke at the seminar.