Int\\\'l TUs’ call to reopen Aminul murder probe

Leaders of three global trade unions (TUs) have expressed their resentment over progress in the labour leader Aminul Islam's murder case.
They have called upon Bangladesh's Prime Minister to reopen investigations into the killing incident.
"We are extremely disappointed that two years later, so little progress has been made and no one has yet been held accountable," they said in a joint letter to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Thursday.
Signed by general secretaries of International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), UNI Global Union, and IndustriAll Global Union, the letter further said: "We, therefore, call on the government of Bangladesh to reopen the investigation to ensure that all of the perpetrators are identified, charged and brought to justice." At a time when Bangladesh is seeking to regain its duty-free status with the US government for non-RMG exports, while maintaining the duty-free status with the EU, the Bangladesh government would do well to address these concerns and demonstrate its commitment to basic human rights and a socially-responsible garment industry by ensuring that Mr. Islam's murder is fully investigated and his killers prosecuted, the letter mentioned.
Condemning the torture and murder of Aminul Islam on 4 April, 2012, the letter said strong evidence indicates that Aminul Islam was targeted for his indefatigable work as a labour organiser and human rights advocate and that the perpetrators of this crime include "members of the government security apparatus".
The ITUC, IndustriALL Global Union and UNI Global Union remain fully committed to contributing to the development of a safe and sustainable textile and garment industry, which plays a major role in the Bangladeshi economy.
This requires full respect for international core labour standards, including the right to freedom of association and to bargain collectively, continued revisions of minimum wages to reach living wages, and the success of the Accord on Fire and Building Safety, whose implementation is well underway, the letter said.
"Much work remains to be done by the government to realise these rights in law and in practice," the trade union leaders said adding: "Your government must show that it takes freedom of association seriously and will not let violations of fundamental trade union and human rights go unpunished."
However, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) could not be reached for confirmation.