Govt urged to respect human rights during curfew
Sunday, 26 August 2007
US-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) has urged the Bangladesh government to respect international human rights standards as it enforces curfew, reports UNB.
In a press release issued from New York Friday, the HRW reiterated that anyone detained under the emergency regulations must be charged with a cognizable criminal offense or released, and that anyone mistreated in detention should be able to seek and obtain an effective remedy before competent authorities.
Sophie Richardson, Asia advocacy director at the HRW said, "While the protesters should remain peaceful and must exercise restraint to prevent loss to life and property, the government should immediately address some of their legitimate concerns instead of arbitrarily arresting people, beating detainees and fueling anger."
Mentioning the cause of recent student protests and its aftermath, the HRW said the law enforcers have carried out several raids on Dhaka University campus and elsewhere, detaining academics and students, including five university teachers, presumably on the grounds of alleged involvement in the rioting.
The HRW said journalist associations in Bangladesh have alleged that law enforcement officers had harassed journalists during curfew hours.
In a press release issued from New York Friday, the HRW reiterated that anyone detained under the emergency regulations must be charged with a cognizable criminal offense or released, and that anyone mistreated in detention should be able to seek and obtain an effective remedy before competent authorities.
Sophie Richardson, Asia advocacy director at the HRW said, "While the protesters should remain peaceful and must exercise restraint to prevent loss to life and property, the government should immediately address some of their legitimate concerns instead of arbitrarily arresting people, beating detainees and fueling anger."
Mentioning the cause of recent student protests and its aftermath, the HRW said the law enforcers have carried out several raids on Dhaka University campus and elsewhere, detaining academics and students, including five university teachers, presumably on the grounds of alleged involvement in the rioting.
The HRW said journalist associations in Bangladesh have alleged that law enforcement officers had harassed journalists during curfew hours.