Military must stay neutral in Bangladesh: HR Watch


Dhaka, January 12, 2007: Concerned over Bangladesh army's record, a global rights group has urged it 'avoid partisan sympathies and respect human rights' before and during next month's general elections.

'Past experience with Bangladeshi leaders deploying the military gives us serious cause for concern,' said Brad Adams, the Asia director of Human Rights Watch.

'During the last major deployment, in 2002, more than 50 people died after being arrested by troops,' Adams said.

Media reports have cited a home ministry document that says the military's role in the 2001 election was partisan and it favoured radical Islamist groups who targeted Hindu, Buddhist and Christian minorities on suspicion that they voted for the defeated Awami League-led alliance.

The military has played a powerful role in Bangladesh since it gained independence from Pakistan in 1971. Two presidents have been killed in military coups.

The last large-scale military deployment took place in October 2002, when the government ordered more than 40,000 personnel to fight soaring crime - a campaign that lasted 85 days. The army arrested over 10,000 people, at least 50 of whom died in custody in unclear circumstances.

Just before the operation ended in January 2003, the parliament passed legislation to ensure that no member of the armed forces could face prosecution for abuses during the campaign.

'Abusive members of the military have enjoyed near total immunity for their violent crimes in the past,' Adams said. 'If the military is to promote law and order today, it must respect the law.

'Given the military's record of human rights violations, it's crucial that the army follow strict rules limiting the use of force,' he said. 'The army is not trained in policing, and history shows it abuses people's rights when asked to work as police.'

The official noted media reports here that President Iajuddin Ahmed's decision to deploy the armed forces, taken Saturday, was unanimously opposed by his then 10-member Council of Advisors, The Daily Star said.

Ahmed ordered the deployment after weeks of some times violent protests that have led to about 40 deaths.

He said the deployment was necessary to 'ensure security of countrymen and to create a congenial and peaceful atmosphere ahead of polls'.

On Dec 10, the army, navy and air force deployed men throughout Bangladesh. The police banned gatherings around the presidential palace in Dhaka.

Media reports have said that sections of middle ranking military officials resented this move, as they did not wish to be embroiled in politics.

National elections are slated for Jan 23. Bangladesh is now governed by a caretaker administration run by President Ahmed, who also holds the portfolios of defence and home affairs.

A 14-party opposition coalition has staged regular demonstrations in recent weeks calling for electoral reform amid charges of bias by the caretaker government and large-scale voter registration fraud. More than 40 people have died and scores have been injured in pre-election protests.

On Dec 11, four members of the caretaker government advisory council resigned. One of them, human rights lawyer Sultana Kamal, said the entire cabinet had objected to army deployment.

'But he - did not care,' she told reporters. 'The deployment of the army is against the democratic process ... it can provoke the political parties and create obstacles to holding a free and fair election.'

The military deployment comes much earlier than in past electoral cycles, 44 days before the election is scheduled, compared to 13 days in 2001, 18 days in 1996, and 23 days before the 1991 vote.

Newspapers have reported that the army will have the power of arrest, but the government has not clarified this point.