by Arnold Winkleried
Amnesty International was founded in 1961 and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1977 for its efforts to promote global observance of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It is a worldwide movement of people acting on the conviction that governments must not deny individuals their basic Human Rights.Amnesty International works to promote awareness of, and adherence to, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other human rights accords. It also pressures governments and non-governmental organizations to
People's Republic of Bangladesh
Head of state: Shahabuddin Ahmed
Head of government: Sheikh Hasina
Capital: Dhaka
Population: 125.3 million
Official language: Bangla
In Bangladesh, the current human rights issues are numerous, with some of the major factors being institutional weakness, political instability and unchecked police brutality. Hundreds of people were injured and dozens killed, some as a result of police action, in nationwide strikes (hartals) called by opposition parties during 1999. Political party activists and student groups with links to the ruling and opposition parties continued to perpetrate acts of violence, including beating political opponents to death. Apparent corruption within the police and the lower judiciary, and burdensome bureaucracy, facilitated impunity for perpetrators of human rights violations and impeded access to justice for those without money or political influence.
Torture and ill-treatment by police is reportedly routine in all areas of the country. It is used to extract bribes or information or to punish prisoners. The government is failing to take adequate measures to protect women. At least three cases of women being raped by police were reported in 1999. Hundreds of women and female children were scarred and maimed in acid attacks and scores of others murdered in dowry-related incidents. Law enforcement officials often fail to prevent, investigate, or take legal action on acts of violence against women. In one case, the police in Rajshahi were said to have demanded a large bribe before taking action to investigate the reported gang rape of a 12-year-old girl.
Amnesty International asks you to write a letter for Rowshan Ara Begum.
Rowshan Ara Begum is a local council member in the Kishorgonj District of Dhaka. Her efforts to stop misappropriation of council funds have led to conflicts with officials. In May 1999, five men implicated by Rowshan Ara in financial corruption came to her house and pressed her to sign a blank piece of paper, which she feared would be used against her. When she refused to sign the paper, they beat her in front of her 13-year-old daughter. The daughter was then locked out of the house while two of the men raped her mother. The five men subsequently were arrested, but three were released on bail. They reportedly have since threatened Rowshan Ara, her children, her lawyers, and prosecution witnesses. Amnesty International fears for the safety of Rowshan Ara and those connected to her. In your letter, you should ask that the government bring to justice those responsible for the violence against Rowshan Ara, and those responsible for the threats against her family and the other persons involved in the inquiry.
You can either write your own letter to the following address:
Mr. Nurul Huda
Inspector-General of Police
Police Headquarters
Fulbaria, Dhaka, BANGLADESH
and send a copy to
Ambassador K. M. Shehabuddin
Embassy of the People's Republic of Bangladesh
3510 International Drive
N.W. Washington, D.C. 20008, USA
Or you can print and send out the letter below. (copy and paste it to your word processing program)
If you choose to write your own letter, please read the guidelines here. The first and most important rule is "Always be polite".
Please DO NOT WRITE after 22 october 2000. If you receive an answer to your letter, please e-mail the author of this article.
Mr. Nurul Huda Inspector-General of Police
Police Headquarters
Fulbaria, Dhaka, BANGLADESH
Dear Sir:
I am very concerned about threats made against rape victim Rowshan Ara Begum and others associated with her, and I respectfully urge you to do everything in your power to ensure their safety. [Case Number: Nari O Shishu Nirjatan, Mumla, 107/99, Kishorgonj]
Rowshan Ara is a member of the Union Parishad (local council). Her determined efforts to stop misappropriation of funds by Union Parishad (UP) officials and to have the funds used to alleviate poverty in the constituency were repeatedly blocked within the UP. On May 1, 1999, five men came to Rowshan Ara's house in the Kishorgonj District of Dhaka and pressed her to sign a blank piece of paper, which she feared would be used against her. Rowshan Ara had implicated the five men in selling healthcare supplies and wheat intended for the community to private dealers. When she refused to sign the paper, they beat her in front of her 13-year-old daughter, Shara. Shara was then locked out of the house while two of the men raped her mother. The five men subsequently were arrested, but three were released on bail. They reportedly have since threatened Rowshan Ara, her children, her lawyers and prosecution witnesses. One of the witnesses has already refused to testify for fear of reprisal.
I applaud the steps your government has taken to ensure Rowshan Ara's safety. However, Rowshan Ara, her family, lawyers and the prosecution witnesses continue to receive threats. Police reportedly have not responded to complaints registered with them about these threats. Rowshan Ara has already been a victim of rape and should not suffer further violations because of her efforts to eliminate corruption in the UP.
I urge you to ensure that Rowshan Ara Begum, her family, lawyers and the prosecution witnesses are protected, that police respond adequately to complaints about threats against Rowshan Ara or those connected to her, and that those issuing the threats be brought to justice.
Sincerely
copy to:
Ambassador K. M. Shehabuddin
Embassy of the People's Republic of Bangladesh
3510 International Drive N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008 USA