UPDATE (Bangladesh): Probe Commissions inaction into the Chapainawabganj conflict 

[RE: UA-013-2006: BANGLADESH: Two people killed and thirty-five injured by police fire in Chapainawabganj district; UA-041-2006: BANGLADESH: Eight people killed and at least one hundred injured by police fire in Chapainawabganj district; UP-016-2006: BANGLADESH: Three detained and tortured leaders have been released from prison in Chapainawabganj; UP-020-2006: BANGLADESH: Transfer of the Executive Officer of Shibganj falls well short of appropriate punishment; UP-025-2006: BANGLADESH: Probe Commission has not yet started its investigation into the Chapainawabganj conflict]
———————————–
UP-036-2006: BANGLADESH: Probe Commission’s inaction into the Chapainawabganj conflict

BANGLADESH: Arbitrary arrest; Torture; Deprivation of medical treatment; Collapse of rule of law
——————————————————

Dear friends,

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received updated information regarding the Chapainawabganj conflict in Bangladesh (To see the background of the incidents, please refer to: UA-013-2006; UA-041-2006; UP-013-2006; UP-020-2006and UP-025-2006). According to the latest information we have received, the Probe Commission formed by the Bangladesh government on 24 January 2006 to investigate into the recent conflict in Chapainawabganj is delaying to submit or disclose its report to any authority, which is a violation of the government’s instruction.

According to the Task Force against Torture (TFT) of Rajshahi district, the government directed the leading figures of the Probe Commission to report their findings within seven days however the Commission only started its investigation two weeks after the conflict first began and has not yet submitted or disclosed the report to any authority even though one month has already passed since the incident. It is fear that such unreasonable delay by the Commission will provide enough time so that the evidence of the police brutality can be destroyed or will fade away. This also illustrates the Commission’s lack of will to solve the prevailing problems that have arisen as a result of the acts taken by those with the authority. For the government to establish the Commission but then not to pressure it to report efficiently and effectively likewise shows a lack of commitment by government officials to ensure that justice is brought to this case.

Meanwhile, several civic groups, including human rights defenders and civil society leaders, have already investigated the incident and found that the Deputy Commissioner (DC), Superintendent of Police (SP) of the district, the Member of Parlaiament (MP) of the constituency, Upazilla Nirbahi Officer (UNO), Officer-in-Charge (OC) of the Shibganj Police Station and the General Manager (GM) of the Palli Biddut Samiti (Rural Electricity Centre) are the key responsible persons for the tragedy in Chapainawabganj. The government has transferred the DC and SP of Chapainawabganj district, Mr. Nurul Islam and Mr. Rezaul Karim respectively, from their positions due to their involvement in this incident. However, apart from these light changes, no constructive action has been taken by the government against those responsible. Moreover, no legal complaint has been lodged against any of those responsible for the incident.

The AHRC has also been informed that the two cases lodged against the three thousand villagers at the Shibganj Police Station have been withdrawn by the government following the victims’ repeated demands. A seven-member committee has been formed to chalk out the procedures of the withdrawal of the cases. The Committee, headed by the District Magistrate (DM), consists of the Superintendent of Police (SP), the Civil Surgeon (CS), the Public Prosecutor (PP), the President of District Bar Association and two selected members of the Palli Biddut Subscribers Development Association. On 26 February 2006, the Mayor of the adjacent Rajshahi City Corporation, Mr. Mizanur Rahman Minu, who was assigned by the government to look after the administrative functions of the Chapainawabganj district, had declared the above decision on behalf of the government and was assured that following the recommendation of the Committee the Ministry of Home Affairs would withdraw the two cases lodged against the villagers within 20 hours of receiving the Committee’s report.

Meanwhile, two families of the deceased victims have received Taka 150,000 (around USD 2,166) each and eight injured victims have been given Taka 20,000 (around USD 289) as compensation. Furthermore, the rural electrification authority has reduced its minimum subscription rate from Taka 110 (USD 1.59) to Taka 65 (USD 0.94) for the subscribers of the area.

While welcoming some positive progress in this matter, the AHRC has a strong view that an independent judicial investigation headed by a Justice of the Supreme Court must be conducted into all of the incidents that occurred in Chapainawabganj district. Legal action should be taken against those found to have violated the law in order to deliver justice to the victims since the Probe Commission seems to be incapable of doing so. This kind of investigation must be launched immediately without further delays.

SUGGESTED ACTION:

Please send letters immediately to the Prime Minister, who is also in charge of the Ministry of Establishment, and the other authorities listed below urging them to take prompt action to investigate the Chapainawabganj conflict and reveal the report of the Probe Commission. Please also urge them to establish an alternative investigative body headed by a Justice of the Supreme Court to enquire into this matter without further delay, as the Probe Commission looks incapable of publishing its report promptly and efficiently.

To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER