Upholding human rights

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POLICE excesses are fairly common in Bangladesh. Deaths of detained persons, in police custody, were reported in newspapers. Then there were other abuses such as arrests and harassment of individuals on flimsy or no grounds, to be released later on a 'different consideration'. Laws repugnant to fundamental rights and liberties such as Section 54 and the Special Powers Act give police extraordinary powers to violate human rights.
Political parties, civic forums, human rights organisations and philanthropic bodies frequently state that they are all for improving the human rights situation in Bangladesh. But they have been discharging their duties rather feebly in relation to cases of violation of the rights. Such organisations should be in the forefront in creating public opinion and rallying all to put pressure on the authorities to observe the rules and laws of human rights. They should be louder in their demand for the repeal of all laws that violate fundamental human rights. The press should play a more active role -- than it has so far -- in exposing instances of violation of human rights.
No government organisation should continue to look at violations of human rights casually. Opinion and pressure, strong enough, do need to be created to help change the unacceptable behaviourial pattern of all such public organisations, with their actions having a great deal of implications for protection and promotion of human rights. These bodies ought to take up the issue much more seriously in their campaigns. Even the independence of the judiciary will not so much promote and protect human rights so long repressive laws or laws contradictory to human rights are not phased out.
Rehana Haque
Gulshan
Dhaka