Extrajudicial killing of the suspected terrorists and drug dealers after detention in so-called crossfire is a gross violation of human rights. Such abuse of firearms bought by the people’s money must be stopped.
Human rights activist and Transparency International Bangladesh’s (TIB) Trustee Sultana Kamal made the observation at a press conference jointly organised by Centre for Social Activism, Network of Non-mainstream Marginalised Communities and Kapaeeng Foundation at Dhaka Reporters Unity in the capital on Monday (May 21).
Sultana said, “It is a matter of great concern that the extrajudicial killings are increasing rapidly in the country. To kill a terrorist or a drug dealer in this way in the name of crossfire is a clear violation of human rights. Any kind of crime should be brought under the jurisdiction of the court, but that is not happening.”
“People do not want to witness such killings. It is a violation of law to use the firearms, bought by the people’s money, in extrajudicial killings. What is the country’s judicial system for, if the law enforcers themselves try to serve justice?”
“Any criminal should be brought under the jurisdiction of court after being arrested,” Sultana demanded.
Mentionable, during last two days, a number of 14 citizens of the country were killed in ‘crossfire’ at different districts of the country by law enforcers who termed the deceased as ‘drug dealers’ after their death.
Lisa Hayat, Coordinator of Centre for Social Activism, in her written speech at the press conference mentioned that under United Nations’ Universal Periodic Review programme – a process reviewing the human rights records of all UN member states – the overall human rights situation of Bangladesh was discussed at Geneva on may 14 last.
“Besides praising Bangladesh for its financial advancement, a number of 105 countries have made 252 suggestions to improve the country’s human rights situation at the discussion,” she said.