2009-2013: A Black Regime of Brutal Oppression on Jamaat and Shibir in Bangladesh

8/12/2019 2009-2013: A Black Regime of Brutal Oppression on Jamaat and Shibir in Bangladesh

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2009-2013: A Regime of Brutal

Oppression on Jamaat and Shibir

2009-2013: A Black Regime of Brutal

Oppression on Jamaat and Shibir inBan ladesh


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Table of Contents

Executive Summary...................................................................................................................... 5

Introduction................................................................................................................................... 6

War Crime Trial: A Program for Judicial Killings................................................................... 7Skype-gate Scandal ................................................................................................................... 10

Unjustifiable Demands of Shahbagh ........................................................................................ 12

Prime Ministers Comment on Trial .......................................................................................... 13

Post-Trial Amendment of Law ................................................................................................. 15

Abduction of Defence Witness ................................................................................................. 17

Hanging of Quader Molla.......................................................................................................... 19

Attacks on Political Activities.................................................................................................... 22

Cancellation of Registration of Jamaat ......................................................................................... 22

Arrest from Independence Day Rally ........................................................................................... 25

Attack on Jamaat Program in Comilla .......................................................................................... 26

Attack of 19 September ................................................................................................................ 27

Police Attack in Hospital! ......................................................................................................... 28

Countrywide Mass-Arrest ......................................................................................................... 28

Police Attacks and Arrests ........................................................................................................ 28

Ruling Party Attacks ................................................................................................................. 31

6 February 2013: Violence in Hartal ............................................................................................ 33

Attacks on Jamaat-Shibir Offices ................................................................................................. 34

Police Attack in Dhaka ................................................................................................................. 35

Police Attack in Sylhet.................................................................................................................. 37

Police Attack in Bogra .................................................................................................................. 38

Shibir: Victim of Campus Violence........................................................................................... 38

BCL Violence in Islamic University............................................................................................. 38BCL-men Shoot on Shibir in Daylight ..................................................................................... 42

Arrests and Torture.................................................................................................................... 42

Top Jamaat Leaders Arrested ........................................................................................................ 42

ATM Azharul Islam and Tasnim Alam .................................................................................... 44


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Professor Mujibur Rahman ....................................................................................................... 44

AKM Nazir Ahmad and Hamidur Rahman Azad ..................................................................... 45

Principal Izzat Ullah ................................................................................................................. 46

Dr. Abdullah M Taher............................................................................................................... 47

Arrest of Rafiqul Islam ............................................................................................................. 48

Sting Operation & Torture on Students ........................................................................................ 50

Delawar Hossain: A Popular Young Leader Made Half Paralyzed .............................................. 51

6 Shibir Activist Arrested ............................................................................................................. 53

Arrest of 20 Female Activists of Jamaat ....................................................................................... 54

Arrest of RU Shibir Secretary ....................................................................................................... 55

Killings......................................................................................................................................... 56

RU Shibir Secretary Nomani Killed by BCL ............................................................................... 56

3 Shibir Activists Killed in 2010 .................................................................................................. 57

Hafizur Rahman Shahin ............................................................................................................ 58

Mohiuddin Masum .................................................................................................................... 60

Harunur Rashid Kaisar .............................................................................................................. 62

Two Jamaat Activist Killed .......................................................................................................... 64

Killing of Abdullah Al Monju ...................................................................................................... 65

Killing of Masud Bin Habib and Mujahidul Islam ....................................................................... 66Shibir-man killed in Dinajpur ....................................................................................................... 66

Shibir-man killed in Police Custody ............................................................................................. 67

Jamaat Leader killed by Police-fire .............................................................................................. 67

Shibir Leader killed in Crossfire at Rajshahi............................................................................. 67

Murder and Attack on Shibir during General Strike ..................................................................... 68

Killing of Mujahid .................................................................................................................... 68

The Mirpur Attack .................................................................................................................... 69

Police Killing after Quader Molla Judgment ................................................................................ 72

5 February: 4 Killed in Chittagong ........................................................................................... 72

15 February: 4 Killed ................................................................................................................ 74

16 February: 1 Killed in Sylhet ................................................................................................. 76


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18 February: 1 Killed in Comilla .............................................................................................. 76

23 February: 2 Killed in Pabna ................................................................................................. 77

Mass Murder after Sayedee Judgement ........................................................................................ 77

28 February Countrywide Violence .......................................................................................... 77

Thakurgoan: 7 Killed ................................................................................................................ 78

Noakhali: 4 Killed ..................................................................................................................... 78

Satkhira: 12 Killed .................................................................................................................... 79

Rangpur: 7 Killed ...................................................................................................................... 79

Natore: 1 Killed......................................................................................................................... 81

Chapainawabganj: 2 Killed ....................................................................................................... 82

Chittagong: 2 Killed .................................................................................................................. 82

Moulvibazar: 1 Killed ............................................................................................................... 82

Dinajpur: 1 Killed ..................................................................................................................... 83

Killings after Molla Execution...................................................................................................... 85

Enforced Disappearances........................................................................................................... 90

Jamaat Leader Missing in Rajshahi .......................................................................................... 91

Disappearance of Al Mukaddas ................................................................................................ 91

Recommendations....................................................................................................................... 92


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2009-2013: A Regime of Brutal Oppression on Jamaat and Shibir

Executive Summary

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir have been victims of brutal

suppression throughout the five year tenure (2009-2013) of the current Awami League led

government. Trigger happy police as well as ruling party men have killed hundreds of Jamaat-

Shibir activists. Thousands of activists of Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Chhatra Shibir were

arrested without credible charges during the period. The judiciary and the administration were

nakedly used to persecute people belonging to these organisations.


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Introduction

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami (BJI) is a political party aiming to establish a just society1 as

enunciated in Islam through democratic process2. On the other hand, Bangladesh Islami Chhatra

Shibir (BICS), established in 1977, is one of the largest student organizations of the country. It

shares the same democratic Islamist ideology as Jamaat. Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami is one of

two main Bangladeshi opposition parties and a constant thorn in the side of the ruling Awami

League. Jamaat enjoys considerable support throughout Bangladesh.3The party was originally

established in undivided British India in 1941. Arguably the largest Islamist organisation in the

sub-continent, Jamaat, started its journey on Aug 26, 1941 under the leadership of Syed Abul

Ala Moududi with the name Jamaat-e-Islami Hind. After the partition of India in 1947, its

greater stream moved to Pakistan. It was briefly banned in Pakistan in 1964 for opposing the

Muslim Family Act. In 1976, the ban was lifted and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami started its

activities as a new party and participated in all democratic movements along with other parties. It

has been participating in local and national elections ever since and secured membership

positions in every Parliament.

Since the beginning of this government in 2009, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and Bangladesh

Islami Chhatra Shibir have been facing violent and fatal attacks from the ruling party and state

agencies. The human rights of the members of these two organisations have been consistently

denied. The administration was very open and brutal in the suppression of BJI and BICS.

1Section 3(4) of the Charter of Jamaat. See

http://www.jamaat-e-islami.org/en/articlepdf/108_Jamaat%20Constitution-2008.pdf2Sections 3(3) 6(4) and 4(3) of the Charter of Jamaat.

3http://edition.cnn.com/2013/08/01/world/asia/bangladesh-islamist-verdict


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Many activists of Jamaat and Shibir have been heinous victim of the envy of ruling Govt. They

have been victims of brutal attack of police and ruthless suppressing behavior of law-enforcing

agencies. Repeated attacks, tortures in custody, filing malicious cases and attacking opposition

leaders with little credible charge are some of the most serious allegations brought against the

current government. In the last 5 years, the series of violations of human rights committed

against BJI and Shibir have reached to an alarming level.

Leaders of Jamaat were either murdered, or put to death sentence in name of trial where no

judicial guarantees were ensured. Arrested leaders were subject to inhuman tortures, making

them unable to move their body parts. Many leaders of Jamaat and Shibir were abducted by plain

clothed people and remain missing ever since. This report focuses on some of the major

instances of oppression and violations of human rights committed against Jamaat and Shibir

during the period between 2009 and 2013.

War Crimes Trial: A Program for Judicial Killings

After coming to the power in 2008 with the help of the army backed caretaker government,

Awami League leaders started to propagate that they will prosecute Jamaat leaders for war

crimes committed in 1971. Before even forming the tribunal and appointing the investigators and

prosecutors, the Awami League leaders publicly declared all top Jamaat-e-Islami leaders in the

list of war criminals.The government on March 25 formed the tribunal, prosecution panel and

the investigation agency to try war crimes committed during the 1971 War of Independence. In a

20-minute hearing on 19 July 2010, the International Crimes Tribunal issued arrest warrants


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against Jamaat-e-Islami top leaders, including BJI chief Motiur Rahman Nizami, its Secretary

General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid and executive member Allama Delawar Hossain

Sayedee.

Previously on 29th June 2010, the Police had already arrested Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer (Chief)

Motiur Rahman Nizami, its Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid, and Nayebe

Ameer (Deputy Chief) Maulana Delawar Hossain Sayedee on charges of hurting Muslim

religious sentiments (CR 1012/12).4 Jaamat Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mujahid and Nayebe

Ameer (Vice-President) Maolana Delwar Hossian Sayedee alleged that they were tortured

continuously for nine days during remand period and could not take rest due to the police-torture

in custody.5

Formar Ameer of BJI Professor Golam Azam (89) was arrested on 11 January 2012 on charges

of alleged war crime. In compliance with the ICTs direction, Azam appeared before the tribunal

and prayed for bail on medical and humanitarian grounds. His bailed petition was rejected

without considering his age and poor health condition.

6

The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)

rejected the bail petition and ordered him to be sent to jail on charges of involvement in crimes

against humanity during the 1971 Liberation War.

4The case is a vexatious one which should have been out rightly stricken out or summarily rejected. It was alleged

in the case that Mr. Rafiqul Islam Khan (Rafiq) compared Nizami with the Prophet (SAW) which Nizami, Sayeedy

and Mujahid applauded and appreciated. h5The Daily Nayadiganta, 11/07/2010

6http://theindependentbd.com/paper-edition/frontpage/129-frontpage/89392-golam-azam-arrested-sent-to-

jail.html


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The present trial of war crime has been criticised by various institutions as biased and targeted to

have political vengeance rather than securing justice. All the witnesses so far produced before

the tribunal has made incredible and contradictory statements against the accused leaders of BJI.7

The government had promised to meet international standards in these trials, but it has been far

away from meeting this commitment. Unfortunately the present trial of war crime has been

severely criticised by various institutions as biased and targeted to have political vengeance

rather than securing justice.

The law governing this trial is very controversial and it fails to meet internationally recognised

norms of human rights and procedural fairness.8 International community has also been vocal

about the political nature of the trial resulting in serious bias against the defence, including

admitting witness statement without producing them for cross-examination, not taking any action

against the perjury of the prosecution, abducting defence witnesses from the tribunal gate,9

harassment of the defence counsels,10

and consistent denial of almost every defence application

by the tribunal.

Among the other concerns regarding fairness of these trials are secret collusion a judge with

outsiders, the courts compulsive judgment of death sentence amid pressure created by protesters

and the Prime Minister and the unprecedented application of retroactive criminal law in order to

increase punishment of an accused.

7See more: http://bangladeshwarcrimes.blogspot.com/

8http://www.hrw.org/news/2011/07/11/bangladesh-guarantee-fair-trials-independence-era-crimes

9http://www.hrw.org/news/2012/11/13/bangladesh-investigate-alleged-abduction-war-crimes-witness

10http://www.hrw.org/news/2012/10/17/bangladesh-end-harassment-war-crimes-defense-counsel
http://www.hrw.org/news/2012/11/13/bangladesh-investigate-alleged-abduction-war-crimes-witnesshttp://www.hrw.org/news/2012/11/13/bangladesh-investigate-alleged-abduction-war-crimes-witnesshttp://www.hrw.org/news/2012/11/13/bangladesh-investigate-alleged-abduction-war-crimes-witnesshttp://www.hrw.org/news/2012/11/13/bangladesh-investigate-alleged-abduction-war-crimes-witness


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Skype-gate Scandal

The Chairman of the International Crimes Tribunal would regularly talk over internet with a

Brussels based lawyers with matters relating to the trial. The conversations were published in

various media including the London based the Economist. The communications reveal a secret

collusion taking place between private individuals and the former Chair of this Tribunal, Justice

Nizamul Hoque Nasim. The files show how Hoque Nasim was bypassing due process and the

rule of law by colluding with Ahmed Ziauddin based in Brussels and Rayhan Rashid in

Oxford. Many court documents including the final formal charge and draft judgement of Sayedee

case were prepared by Ziauddin and the former tribunal chairman did not perform his judicial

work independently. On 11 December 2012 the Judge in question resigned amid controversy,11

but on 2 January 2013, the International Crimes Tribunal 1 has rejected all the defence

applications for the retrial of the cases.12

During the trial, the Chairman of the Tribunal Justice Nizamul Haq had been discussing the

matters of the trial with Ahmed Ziauddin, a lawyer of Bangladeshi origins based in Belgium by

emails and online conversations using Skype. The conversations have raised serious concerns of

a miscarriage of justice affecting the individual defendants and flawed process of the tribunal. 17

hours of recorded conversations and over 230 e-mails between the two men eventually got

leaked in the internet13

which cast serious allegation regarding the court proceedings and his role

as a judge.

11http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=260836


13See www.bdictunveiled.com
http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=260836http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=260836http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=260836http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=263749http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=263749http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=263749http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=263749http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=260836


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The communications show Justice Nasim worked improperly with Mr. Ahmed, who has been co-

operating with the prosecution also. And in Mr Sayeedis case it points to the possibility that,

even before the court had finished hearing testimony from the defence witnesses, Mr Nizamul

was already expecting a guilty verdict.14

The Tribunal was not free and independence from the executive branch of the state which

violates the principle of separation of power. One of the conversations suggests the tribunal came

under political pressure to speed proceedings up, even though Bangladesh guarantees the

independence of the judiciary. In a conversation of October 14th, between Mr Nizamul and

Ahmed Ziauddin, the judge refers to the government as absolutely crazy for a judgment. The

government has gone totally mad. They have gone completely mad, I am telling you. They want a

judgment by 16th December...its as simple as that.15

On November 8th 2011 Mr. Ziauddin e-mailed Mr Nizamul a list of matters raised by a defence

petition that the judge recuse himself from the trial. The first five items on the list are materials

and documents that, the e-mail says, were to be supplied to Mr Nizamul by Zead-al-Malum, one

of the top prosecutors at the tribunal.16

This showed that, the prosecutor is being asked to help by

someone who is also advising the judge.

14http://www.economist.com/news/briefing/21568349-week-chairman-bangladeshs-international-crimes-

tribunal-resigned-we-explain15

http://www.economist.com/news/briefing/21568349-week-chairman-bangladeshs-international-crimes-

tribunal-resigned-we-explain?zid=306&ah=1b164dbd43b0cb27ba0d4c3b12a5e22716

http://www.economist.com/news/briefing/21568349-week-chairman-bangladeshs-international-crimes-

tribunal-resigned-we-explain?zid=306&ah=1b164dbd43b0cb27ba0d4c3b12a5e227
http://www.economist.com/news/briefing/21568349-week-chairman-bangladeshs-international-crimes-tribunal-resigned-we-explain?zid=306&ah=1b164dbd43b0cb27ba0d4c3b12a5e227http://www.economist.com/news/briefing/21568349-week-chairman-bangladeshs-international-crimes-tribunal-resigned-we-explain?zid=306&ah=1b164dbd43b0cb27ba0d4c3b12a5e227http://www.economist.com/news/briefing/21568349-week-chairman-bangladeshs-international-crimes-tribunal-resigned-we-explain?zid=306&ah=1b164dbd43b0cb27ba0d4c3b12a5e227http://www.economist.com/news/briefing/21568349-week-chairman-bangladeshs-international-crimes-tribunal-resigned-we-explain?zid=306&ah=1b164dbd43b0cb27ba0d4c3b12a5e227http://www.economist.com/news/briefing/21568349-week-chairman-bangladeshs-international-crimes-tribunal-resigned-we-explain?zid=306&ah=1b164dbd43b0cb27ba0d4c3b12a5e227http://www.economist.com/news/briefing/21568349-week-chairman-bangladeshs-international-crimes-tribunal-resigned-we-explain?zid=306&ah=1b164dbd43b0cb27ba0d4c3b12a5e227


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International Crimes Tribunal Judges were not in a position to exercise judicial power

independently according to dictates of law and justice. As the conversation shows, a new judge

Mr. Jahangir was told only to say yes to whatever the Chaiman says in the court.

Nasim: No, there will be no problem. Because he (Mr. Jahangir) has been told, whatever

the Chairman says, you just say Yes.17

Unjustifiable Demands of Shahbagh

On February 5, 2013, after the International Crimes Tribunal sentenced Abdul Quader Mollah to

life, a sit in movement in Shahbagh began on that day demanding capital punishment for Abdul

Quader Mollah and other leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami for alleged crimes against humanity during

the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. The protesters called the sentence too lenient, so they

started protests and demonstrations and demanded the death penalty for Mollah as the only

acceptable punishment. Later the demands widened to ban the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami party

and other religious based parties from politics. Members of the ruling party led by Dr. Imran H

Sarkar joined the protest and took control of it.

Shahbagh protesters demanded the death penalty for all accused in ICT regardless the merit of

cases. This put the Tribunal under a great pressure. The Shahbagh leaders vowed to ensure the

death penalty of detained Jamaat leaders, banning religion based politics, forfeiting the

citizenship of Jamaat supporters and boycotting institutions and press that belong to the

opposition.

18

17www.dailysangram.com/news_details.php?news_id=103812



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It is the right of every accused person that they should be tried according to the law and the

evidence presented before the court. Only the punishment determined by dictates of justice based

on proven facts can be imposed on a convicted person. But the Shahbagh movement

unjustifiably demanded death penalty for all accused persons irrespective of merit of the cases.

The demand is a direct threat to the independence of judiciary as it puts the judges under a great

pressure to deliver the judgment acceptable to protesting mobs.

The Shahbaghs call to ban Jamaats politics and to cancel the citizenship of its members violates

the basic human rights and peoples constitutional freedom to be member of any political party.

The demand to cancel citizenship is outrageous to the dignity of people of Bangladesh whose

right to citizenship is recognised in every human rights instrument.

The Shahbag movements call caused agitation throughout the country. Various demands of the

Shahbag were met by the govt in the following days. Death sentence was pronounced in the

subsequent cases of ICT. Editor of Amar Desh Mr. Mahmudur Rahman was arrested. Diganta

Television was shut down by govt. Activists of Jamaat and Shibir become subjects of violent

attack resulting in the deaths of more than 150 people and injury of thousands.

Prime Ministers Comment on Trial

On 11 February 2013, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urged the International Crimes Tribunal to

take into consideration the demands of people19

instead of just law and facts. She said in a point

of order speech delivered in Parliament that her govt were in complete agreement with the

Shahbagh movement, and that the judges should deliver judgement according to the demand of

19http://www.mzamin.com/details.php?nid=NDIyMTk=&ty=MA==&s=MTg=&c=MQ==


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the Shahbagh protesters. She further said that every word of the vows taken by Shahbagh

protesters were reasonable and her govt would do everything necessary to implement their

vows. Sheikh Hasina said that all members of Parliament were agreed to the memorandum

delivered by Shahbagh leaders. Other MPs also agreed to the demand that the right to do politics

should be taken away from Jamaat and Shibir.20

Government-supported protests and the comments of the prime minister and other government

and Awami League officials affected the possibility of fair trials in the Tribunals. Judges were

afraid to give any sentence other than the death penalty in the subsequent cases. The government

pressure on the court previously revealed the Skype conversations became stronger after the

Prime Ministers statement. Her endorsement of the unjustifiable demands of Shahbagh mob had

put the Tribunals in an insurmountable pressure to which the judges were compelled to yield.

On February 27, 2013 the tribunal convicted Delwar Hossain Sayeedi for 8 out of 20 charges of

war crimes and sentenced him to death despite widespread criticism about the biased process and

political nature of the case. Later on May 9, Jamaat leader Qamaruzzaman was also sentenced to

death by the Tribunal in another weak case. It was obvious that the demand of Shahbagh

protesters and Awami League leaders have left the judges with little choice other than judgments

of death penalty. Right groups such as Human Rights Watch have confirmed that some defense

witnesses have decided not to appear in court, fearing reprisals after the Shahbagh protest.21

20http://www.mzamin.com/details.php?nid=NDIyMTk=&ty=MA==&s=MTg=&c=MQ==

21http://www.hrw.org/news/2013/02/14/bangladesh-post-trial-amendments-taint-war-crimes-process


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Post-Trial Amendment of Law

In the second verdict, announced on February 5, the ICT convicted Quader Mollah, a leading

member of Jamaat, on five out of six counts and sentenced him to life in prison. He was

acquitted on one count of murder. Government officials, members of the ruling Awami League

party, and Shahbagh protesters reacted with outrage that Mollah was not sentenced to death. But

under section 21 of the International Crimes (Tribunal) Act 1973, the prosecution can appeal

against an acquittal order, not against a sentence. So the govt could not apply for a death

sentence of Quader Mollah under existing law.

The government responded to the mob demands by proposing amendments to the ICT law,

allowing the prosecution to appeal the sentence, and decreasing the time for an appeal to be

completed. On February 14, the draft amendment was offered in parliament and was approved on

February 17. Until this verdict, the prosecution was only allowed to appeal if the accused was

acquitted, and 90 days were allowed for appeals.

Section 21 was substituted by section 3 of the International Crimes (Tribunals) (Amendment)

Act, 2013 (Act No. III of 2013) and the new section is amended as follows:

21. (1) A person convicted of any crime specified in section 3 and sentenced by a

Tribunal may appeal, as of right, to the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of

Bangladesh against such conviction and sentence.22

The amendment, though passed on 17thFebruary 2013, was given effect from 14thJuly, 2009, the

day the trials of war crime had begun. So it is a retrospective criminal legislation specifically

22http://bdlaws.minlaw.gov.bd/print_sections.php?id=435&vol=&sections_id=12497


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made in order to meet the illegal demands of the Shahbagh protesters for death sentence of

Quader Mollah.

The government has preferred an appeal to the Appellate Division of Supreme Court of

Bangladesh against acquittal of Quader Mollah in relation to one offense; and sentences of

imprisonment in relation to five offences for which Mollah was convicted. On the other hand, an

appeal from Quader Mollah has sought an acquittal on all charges. During the appeal, the

Appellate Division has asked the prosecution to present a single precedent in the whole world

where changed law was made applicable to an accused after the passing of the sentence. The

prosecution could not come up with a single precedent or authority in reply to this query of the

court, yet they kept claiming that the amended article was applicable to Quader Mollah. Justice

Abdul Owahab Mia pointed out that it is mentioned in the section that the trial of proceeding is

going on. This is the most important and serious. It is proved that it is not applicable for Abdul

Quader Mullah.23

The amended article goes against the spirit of the constitution of Bangladesh. Under the

constitution of Bangladesh, it is illegal to punish a person under any retroactive law. Article 35

(1) of the Constitution states that: no person shall be convicted of any offence except for violation

of a law in force at the time of the commission of the act charged as an offence, nor be subjected

to a penalty greater than, or different from, that which might have been inflicted under the law in

force at the time of the commission of the offence.24

23http://www.jamaat-e-islami.org/en/newsdetails.php?nid=OTIx

24Article 35, Constitution of Bangladesh,

http://bdlaws.minlaw.gov.bd/sections_detail.php?id=367&sections_id=24583


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The retroactive legislation that violates fair trial standards undermines the legitimacy of the work

of Bangladeshs International Crimes Tribunal (ICT). The amendments were offered to enable an

appeals court to overturn a life sentence imposed on Abdul Qader Mollah and impose the death

penalty amid demands of supporters of the ruling party.

International organisations have been vocal about the violation of human rights caused by

imposing retroactive criminal law Quader Mollah. Human Rights Watch has said in a statement

that a government supposedly guided by the rule of law cannot simply pass retroactive laws to

overrule court decisions when it doesnt like them. The Bangladesh government should pause,

take a deep breath, and repeal the proposed amendments, which make a mockery of the trial

process. Instead of explaining to the public that the separation of powers and the rule of law

mean accepting the decision of the courts, the government has now directly intervened in the trial

process, Adams said. Convictions of those responsible for the 1971 atrocities is important for

the country, but not at the expense of the principles that make Bangladesh a democracy.25

Abduction of Defence Witness

The Bangladesh International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has again been at the centre of scandal

following the abduction of a defence witness by plain-clothes policemen on 5 November 2012.26

Shukho Ranjan Bali had been in the car of senior defence counsel, Mizanul Islam, along with

other members of the defence counsel en route to the ICT on November 5th to testify for the

accused Allama Delwar Hossain Sayedee. At the entrance of the tribunal, the car was stopped

and uniformed police informed those inside that they had instructions to only admit designated

25Ibid.

26http://www.opendemocracy.net/opensecurity/mahin-khan/from-transitional-justice-mechanism-to-

monumental-revenge-bangladesh-interna


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defence lawyers. Meanwhile, men in plain clothes approached the car and abducted Bali, amidst

protests from Islam and others, while the uniformed policemen merely looked on unperturbed

and unmoved by calls for aid. The plain clothes men identified themselves as members of the

Detective Branch and proceeded to bundle away the distressed Bali into a van of Bangladeshs

infamous Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), a body condemned by Human Rights Watch for extra-

judicial killings and torture.27

In response to Balis abduction, chief defence counsel, Barrister Abdur Razzaq, petitioned the

tribunal to address the issue and take due measures, particularly given the likelihood of the

prosecuting bodys complicity in theabduction. Bali had initially been enlisted as a prosecution

witness who failed to appear in court, and the prosecution had presented what they stated was a

written testimony from him in absentia. Soon after, however, Bali appeared in the media stating

Idid not want to give any false witness. Just I have to tell the truth what I know. Thereafter he

decided to become a witness for the defence, the second such witness to do so.

Rather than immediately ordering an impartial investigation, the court asked the prosecution

itself to look into the allegations and later accepted its statement that the event was entirely false.

At this, the defence counsel boycotted the tribunal for a day in protest. In response, the Tribunal

held the defence in contempt of court, barring the entry of defence counsel, Tajul Islam, into

court until November 22. Mizanul Islam also attempted to file a complaint with the relevant

police agency, Shahbagh Police Station, but the branch refused to file the complaint or give an

explanation for their refusal. Meanwhile, the prosecution has accused the defence of propaganda,

paradoxically claiming Mr Bali is hiding due to intimidation from the defence counsel. None of

27http://bangladeshwarcrimes.blogspot.com/2012/11/abduction-of-defense-witness-outside.html


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the many who witnessed the abductionfrom the police to the lawyers and driver have been

questioned. Amidst the furore, and largely ignored by the Bangladeshi media, the chairman of

the ICT, Justice Nizamul Huq, made the incredible declaration that no member of the ICT

defence counsel will be permitted to see their clients, the accused, anymore.28

Hanging of Quader Molla

Abdul Quader Molla, a top leader of opposition Islamist party Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, was

hanged by the Awami League led government on 12 December 2013 at 10.01 pm at Dhaka

Central Jail.

29

The execution took place despite objections made by the United Nations

30

, United

Kingdom31

, Turkey, Australia, European Union32

and other Human rights organizations like

Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International etc.

Abdul Quader Molla Assistant secretary-general of the Bangladesh

Jamaat-e-Islami.

Former executive editor of The DailySangram,

Former teacher of Rifles Public School andCollege, Udayan High School, Manarat

International School etc.33

28

http://www.opendemocracy.net/opensecurity/mahin-khan/from-transitional-justice-mechanism-to-monumental-revenge-bangladesh-interna29

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-2535603430

http://www.dhakatribune.com/foreign-affairs/2013/dec/12/int%E2%80%99l-community-opposes-

molla%E2%80%99s-execution31

http://newagebd.com/detail.php?date=2013-12-11&nid=76332#.UqrsYCdYU1t32

http://newagebd.com/detail.php?date=2013-12-11&nid=76332#.UqrsYCdYU1t33

http://www.amardeshonline.com/pages/printnews/2013/02/06/186543


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The hanging was in execution of a death sentence given by the Appellate Division of the

Supreme Court in a trial that has failed to maintain minimum level of fairness. The Supreme

Court judgment was incompatible with international principles of fair trial and human rights. The

Appellate Division of the Supreme Court increased his sentence from life imprisonment to death

following an appeal by the government against a judgment of the International Crimes Tribunal-

2.

Shortly before Mr. Molla was hanged, his eldest son, Hasan Jamil, said his father's execution was

a "political killing." The Jamaat-e-Islami said in a statement the government had "murdered Mr.

Abdul Quader Molla in a preplanned way, ignoring pleas from the international community and

human rights organizations." The statement called on Jamaat supporters to exercise restraint.34

The judgments of both the trial and appellate have found the accused guilty based on

uncorroborated hearsay evidence and contradictory testimony. The defences pleas of alibi and

other application was unreasonably rejected showing a clear bias against the accused. The

Tribunal repeatedly deviated from recognized judicial norms and principles of fair trial in order

to reach a verdict of conviction by any means.

On 5 February, the International Crimes Tribunal convicted Molla on five counts of crimes

against humanity involving offences during the 1971 war of independence sentencing him to life

imprisonment. It also acquitted him on one other count. Following large protests in the Shahbagh

area of Dhaka demanding that Molla receive the death penalty, the government changed the law,

allowing the prosecution to appeal against the sentences of life imprisonment.

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On 17 September 2013, the appellate division, in a majority judgment, dismissed the appeals

made by Quader Mollas lawyers confirming the convictions on five counts, reversing the verdict

of acquittal on one count, and handing down the death sentence on one count concerning his

involvement in the massacre of a family. The court upheld unanimously that his acquittal on

charge no 4 should be reversed and should stand as a conviction, and most significantly that, by a

majority, the sentence on charge no 6 (the murder of a family), should be changed from life

imprisonment to a death penalty.

International rights activists have expressed their concerns about the Supreme Courts ruling and

the apparent relentless effort by the government to ensure that Mollah is dead.35 The entire

process suffers from a number of anomalies which renders the execution incompatible with

internationally recognised norms of human rights and fair trial guarantees.

Mr. Molla was hanged despite the flimsiness of the evidence on the charge which he has been

sentenced to death and the fact that the tribunal simply did not allow him to put forward his

defence.

Quader Molla was put to death relying on the contradictory statement of a witness, giving

evidence in court 42 years after the event stating that Molla was present, who had previously

given two statements - one to a 1971 museum and another to the investigation officer - neither of

which stated that Molla was present at the scene. One of the statements even reveals that she was

not present at the time of the incident. For the whole of the last 43 years since the incident on 26

35 http://www.amnesty.org/en/for-media/press-releases/bangladesh-death-sentence-without-right-judicial-appeal-

defies-human-rights


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March 1971, Momena never told anybody that Quader Molla had been present at the time of her

family's murder. The courts both tribunal and appellate division did not take into

consideration any of these previous statements which do obviously raise issues about the

credibility of the witness.

Attacks on Political Activities

Democratic practices was in serious jeopardy during the time and the political parties were

generally not allowed to hold any peaceful protest or procession against the tyrannical behavior

of the Govt. The Govt. has filled up the jails with political prisoners. The jails are already

holding 3 times more than their capacities, leading to unrest among the detainees. The prisoners

include central leaders of BNP and Jamaat-E-Islami and activists numbering to more than

50,000. Almost each and every program of the opposition was obstructed with law-enforcing

agencies and the activists or participants of those programs were maltreated by serious brutality.

Some instances are below-

Cancellation of Registration of Jamaat

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has always been holding a key position in the process forming of

government after the elections. In 1991 and 1996 respectively, BNP and Awami League

managed to form government by securing the support of Jamaat. The alliance of Jamaat and BNP

in 2001 election resulted in a landslide victory of BNP against Awami League. After the defeat

in 5 city elections of 2013, Awami League anticipated the same effect in the coming elections as

well and was desperate to prevent that from happening.


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The government backed Shahbag movement which was initiated earlier this year has been

consistently demanding a ban on Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. Various top leaders of the ruling

party have also voiced the same demand and it has become clear that Awami League is

determined to eliminate its rival Jamaat from the political scenario using the state power.

Subsequently in 1 August 2013, the High Court Division cancelled the registration of Jamaat

debarring its participation in elections. Awami League has termed the verdict as a success in its

effort against Jamaat and declared that the judgment is the first step in the process of eliminating

Jamaat from politics. The use of the judiciary to prevent political opponents from democratic

process is a matter of great concern for the advancement of rule of law in Bangladesh.

In 2008, during the military-backed caretaker government, the EC made it mandatory for

political parties to register if they wanted to contest polls. Jamaat, a key ally of the BNP,

registered with alongside 37 other parties.

Some people including Bangladesh Tariqat Federations Secretary General Syed Rezaul Haque

Chandpuri, Jaker Partys Secretary General Munshi Abdul Latif and Sammilita Islami Jotes

President Ziaul Hasan moved the court challenging Jamaats registration in January the

following year. A Sufi group, which practises Islamic mysticism, filed the public interest

litigation in January 2009 seeking to scrap Jamaat's registration. Pro Awami League protesters

have been demanding that Jamaat be banned for its role in the 1971 war of independence, during

which it opposed Bangladesh's breakaway from Pakistan.36

36http://www.dailynayadiganta.com/welcome/post/9745#.Ug8qQz8ipH0


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Arrest from Independence Day Rally

On 26th

March 2011, the Independence Day of Bangladesh, members of Bangladesh Islami

Chhatra Shibir gathered in Kakrail nightingale intersection of the capital for joining the colorful

rally arranged as a part of their

countrywide programs to

celebrate the glorious day of

national independence. But

suddenly the police attacked

the peaceful gathering of the

students and used stick and tear

cells on them. Many students

were injured by this unexpected assault without any fault on their part.40

But soon the activists of

Shibir reorganized themselves to continue with their scheduled program of Independence Day.

Thousands of Shibir activists started the procession with banners and national flags at 9 pm. The

festive rally passed along Kakrail and then they gathered at Shantinagar where student leaders

addressed the members of Shibir.41

But as soon as the speech of Shibir President Fakhruddin Manik finished, a team of police led by

OC (operation) of Ramna PS Shibli Noman attacked the gatherings of students once again from

behind without any inducement.42

This time police was more violent and fired rounds of tear cell

and rubber bullets on the students. The police also beat everyone in the spot indiscriminately

40http://www.dailysangram.com/print.php?news_id=50667

41http://theindependentbd.com/paper-edition/frontpage/129-frontpage/41281-17-shibir-men-held-in-

capital.html42

http://www.dailysangram.com/print.php?news_id=50667


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with sticks and kicked them to disperse the assembly. Panicked students and passersby started to

run in different directions and many took shelter in various shops. But police entered even there

and kept beating the activists of Shibir mercilessly. Journalists and Passersby were not spared by

the police of torture.43

Soon more two platoons of riot police joined the attack on Shibir members. They searched every

shop from Shantinagar to Shantibag looking for Shibir activists.44

More than hundred activists of

Shibir were severely injured by this sudden attack and they were admitted into different

hospitals. Police arrested 17 persons including 16 members of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir

who were injured by the attack on the charges of vandalism and restraining the police from

duty.45

Police also seized 4 motorbikes from the rally.

Attack on Jamaat Program in Comilla

On 22nd

November 2011, Police unnecessarily attacked on a reception program organized by

Jamaat-e-Islamiat Chouddagram upazilaof Comilla.46

The reception was arranged for the party

men who were recently released from prison. Initially Police tried to close the program which led

to some scuffles and caused injuries to 5 activists of Jamaat. Though Police did not arrest

anyone from the spot, but later on they arrested Mr. Zakir Hossain Patwary, a Jamaatactivist

from his office.

43http://www.amardeshonline.com/pages/details/2011/03/27/74138


45http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/print_news.php?nid=179294

46The Daily Sangram - 23

rdNovember, 2011; Also in Daily Naya Diganta of the same date.


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Attack of 19 September47

Leaders and activists of Jamaat took to the streets on 19 September in protest against the

conspiracy to try Jamaat leaders on false charges by using a black law and demanding their

release. But police was ready with necessary arms to vandalize the program. Jamaat claimed that

at least 700 leaders and activists were injured and 400 were arrested across the country. Dhaka

Metropolitan Police admitted that they had arrested 75 persons during clashes with Jamaat

activists in Dhaka city.

A large number of police and members of Armed Police Battalion with water cannons and

armoured carriers were deployed at different places ahead of the scheduled demonstrations in

Dhaka. The capitals Kakrail, Paltan, Bijaynagar, Shantinagar and Malibagh areas turned into

battlefields during the clashes that left around 100 people, including 30 police personnel injured.

Police fired five hundred shots, mostly rubber bullets, and tear gas to disperse the demonstrators.

Witnesses said police had charged batons and fired a barrage of tear gas shells to disperse

hundreds of Jamaat activists who gathered at the Diploma Engineers Institute at Nightingale

crossing at Kakrail to march towards Paltan. But police swung into action and tried to disperse

them by using batons. Soon the clashes spread out to Paltan, Bijaynagar, Fakirerpool and

Malibagh areas.

After being attacked by police, activists of Jamaat and Islami Chhatra Shibir (student wing of

Jamaat) with mass-people confronted the police with simple sticks and hurled stones during the

nearly two-hour clashes.

47http://newagebd.com/newspaper1/frontpage/33934.html
http://newagebd.com/newspaper1/frontpage/33934.htmlhttp://newagebd.com/newspaper1/frontpage/33934.htmlhttp://newagebd.com/newspaper1/frontpage/33934.htmlhttp://newagebd.com/newspaper1/frontpage/33934.html


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Police Attack in Hospital!

After 6 pm, Police appeared in Islami Bank Hospital where many injured activists of Jamaat-

Shibir were hospitalized for treatment. Police launched sudden attack on the injured people and

arrested them dragging forcefully. At this time, police made an attack upon the security guards of

the hospital. A doctor of this hospital named Hafizur Rahman who was then on duty was also

attacked and later arrested by Police. Nurse hostel of this hospital was also searched by police.

Making brutal attack upon hospitalized patient is unprecedented in the history of Bangladesh.48

Countrywide Mass-Arrest

Not only in capital Dhaka, but also in various towns and cities of the country police launched

mass arrest and repressive action against the leaders and activists of Jamaat while they were

trying to hold procession in support of their urge. Police arrested 26 leaders and activists from

Kushtia,49

3 from Barishal,50

10 from Comilla,51

25 from Chittagong52

and 5 from Kurigram.53

Police Attacks and Arrests

About 400 leaders and activists of Jamaat and Shibir had been arrested at places across the

country on 3 and 4 December during hartal. One Shibir worker was killed and hundreds of

activists were injured in attacks of Police and ruling party members.54

Deputy Commissioner

48http://www.dailysangram.com/news_details.php?news_id=64012






54http://www.newagebd.com/detail.php?date=2012-12-05&nid=32361#.UL9wtS70DSs
http://www.dailysangram.com/news_details.php?news_id=64012http://www.dailysangram.com/news_details.php?news_id=64062http://www.dailysangram.com/news_details.php?news_id=64061http://www.dailysangram.com/news_details.php?news_id=64052http://www.dailysangram.com/news_details.php?news_id=64049http://www.dailysangram.com/news_details.php?news_id=64068http://www.dailysangram.com/news_details.php?news_id=64068http://www.dailysangram.com/news_details.php?news_id=64068http://www.dailysangram.com/news_details.php?news_id=64049http://www.dailysangram.com/news_details.php?news_id=64052http://www.dailysangram.com/news_details.php?news_id=64061http://www.dailysangram.com/news_details.php?news_id=64062http://www.dailysangram.com/news_details.php?news_id=64012


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Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP)'s told that as many as 69 Jamaat activists were arrested only

from Dhaka city and remad was sought for 36 of them in the CMM court.55

In Khilgaon of Dhaka, police fired bullets at a procession of supporters of Hartal. The witnesses

said that in the morning the Jamaat and Shibir Activists took out a peaceful procession near

Khilgaon flyover. The police prevented the rally and attacked the activists. Five people were hit

by police bullets and two of them were injured in their head.

In the Ansar Camp area of Mirpur a pro hartal procession was attacked by police at 10 am.

Police has shot tear shells at them and charged with sticks on the Jamaat and Shibir activists.

Police attacked a pro-hartal rally in Shahjahanpur of the capital and tortured on the participants

of the rally and arrested several of them. Two severely injured Shoaib (23) and Mostafizur

Rahman (20) were taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. 69 leaders and activists of Jamaat

and Shibir were arrested from Dhaka city including Motijhil thana president of Jamaat Kamal

Hossain.56

The police arrested 27 pickets at places in the Khulna city during the strike. In Barisal 15 pickets

were arrested. In Chittagong 13 Jamaat and Shibir activists were arrested. Reports from

Brahmanbaria said that police arrested one Jamaat activist at the place and five others at Kasba.

In Dinajpur, police picked up five Jamaat and Shibir activists at Pirganj. In Pabna, police arrested

25 activists.

55http://www.prothom-alo.com/detail/date/2012-12-05/news/310801

56http://www.dailynayadiganta.com/new/?p=56330
http://www.dailynayadiganta.com/new/?p=56330http://www.dailynayadiganta.com/new/?p=56330


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In Bogra, the police attacked on Jamaat and Shibir activists at Fatkir Bridge at Shajahanpur in

the morning. At one point, the police fired shotguns to disperse them and arrested one at the spot.

The police arrested nine other Jamaat and Shibir activists at places in the district.

A professor of Islamic Studies in Jirabo Dewan Idris Degree College Mr. Mohiuddin was

arrested from his home at 3 am in the morning on 4 December. Police told that he was arrested

due to his involvement with the politics of Jamaat-e-Islami.

In Kishorganj, police arrested Jamaat leader and general secretary of Labour Welfare Federation

Sirajul Islam Dulal (50) from 32 Nurani Road and Shibir activist Md. Masum from Nogua

Bottola area. At 3 am in the morning, police went to the home of Jamaat Upazila ameer Lokman

to arrest him. Police vandalised the home when they found that Mr. Lokman was not in home.57

In Habiganj, the district president of Jamaat Maolana Mokhlesur Rahman and 5 other activists

were arrested from Vadoi area. Three other Shibir activists were arrested from Madhabpur area.

Two Jamaat leaders were arrested in Doulatpur of Kustia district wiouthout any charge even

before the Hartal hours. OC Jahir Hossain of Doulatpur Police told that they were arrested on the

suspicion that they may be involved subversive activities in the strike that would start within a

few hours.58

In South Surma of Sylhet, a Shibir worker Jahangir was critically injured by police bullet. He

was sent to Dhaka for further treatment the same day. Other injured are Mahmudur Rahman,

Jamil, Roni and Sumon. In Bishwanath, two Shibir activists were punished by mobile courts

after an instant hearing without giving them an opportunity to present evidence or resort to legal

57http://www.mzamin.com/archive_details.php?nid=MzMxNDk=&ty=MA==&s=MTg=&c=MQ==&seco=MjAxMnwxMnw1fDA=



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representation. Police arrested Faruq

Mia and Jaber Hossain from Kaliganj

and Rampasha area and brought them

to the mobile court . The court run by

executive officials sentenced them to

10 days imprisonment and monetary

fine.59

Ruling Party Attacks

Ruling party activists brought out procession in the Dhaka and chased the hartal activists. At

some places hartal activists were beaten seriously and handed over to police. Police in

association with local Awami League leaders and activists attacked pickets, admitted Abdul Latif

Sheikh, officer-in-charge of Pallabi Police Station.60

Ruling party men caught six BJI activists at Sabujbagh area near Khilgaon Flyover in the

afternoon and beat up Mostafizur and Md Shohaid mercilessly before handing them over to

police. The injured were rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) around 1:30pm.

At 9 am the activist of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islam and Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir started

a rally in support of Hartal from Jatrabari of Dhaka. The police stopped the rally and started to


60http://thenewnationbd.com/newsdetails.aspx?newsid=59383


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beat the activists. At one stage members of Awami Leage and Juba League joined the poice in

the attack and injured 25 people. Police arrested 5 pro-strike activists from the place. Ten BJI

activists were injured in a joint attack carried by the police and the Chatra League at Tongi in

Gazipur. The police arrested one person at Board Bazar.

In Sonadanga of Jessore, several Juba League leaders vandalised many vehicles at 10 am. 29 no.

ward convenor of the Awami Leagues Youth front Chanchal along with another leader went to

KDA Avenue of the city and started vandalising vehicles. One easy bike driver was grievously

injured in the head. Police and members of RAB-6 came and arrested them thinking that they

were Shibir activists. When it was found that

they belonged to the ruling party, the police

released them immediately. It is thought that

these vandalisms were carried out to blame the

pro-strike activists of Jamaat and Shibir.61

In Mogbazar of Dhaka, Juba League and

Chhatra League members attacked and

vandalised a hospital. They attacked Insaf

Baraka hospital in Tajuddin Avenue while shouting slogans Joy Bangla.The incident took place

in front of policemen but they did nothing to prevent this attack. The ruling party members

alleged that the officials of the hospital belong to Jamaat and Shibir.62

61http://www.mzamin.com/archive_details.php?nid=MzMwNzU=&ty=MA==&s=MjA=&c=MQ==&seco=MjAxMnwxMnw1fDA=


The bullet wound reflects the brutality committed against

the Jamaat and Shibir activists.


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In Kulaura of Moulvibazar, members of Awami League, Juba League and BCL took out an anti

hartal procession and suddenly attacked Muslim Aid Hospital which is thought to be financed by

Jamaat and Shibir. 5 patients who came for treatment were severely injured in this attack.

Hospital official Belal Ahmad told that the attack was carried out suddenly without any previous

sign and many hospital equipments worth 5,00,000 taka were destroyed in this attack.63

In Jessore, Chhatra League members chased and attacked Shibir activists while picketing in

support of strike. BCL members beat former district president of Shibir Abdullah Al Mamun and

handed over to police. Police arrested 10 other pro-hartal activists from the town. In Mirersorai

of Chittagong, Chhatra League members injured at least 5 activists and Jamaat and Shibir. They

tortured them severely and handed them over to police.

6 February 2013: Violence in Hartal

On the Hartal called by Jamaat-e-Islami on 6 February 2013, police shots bullets at protesters,

attacked with sticks, tear shells, arrested and tortured the Jamaat and Shibir activists. In

narayanganj, police shooting at a procession left five severely injured. Police shot the Shibir

activists aiming at their legs.

In Khulna, police opened fire at a rally of Shibir without provocation and injured 15 of the

demonstrators. At least 35 rounds of bullets were shot by the police at the activists of Shibir.

After that police conducted a combing operation and arrested 5 Shibir activists.



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25 picketers were arrested by police in Dhaka metropolitan area. More than 120 Jamaat

supporters were shot by police and 400 were otherwise injured by the ruling party members and

police attacks.64

In Thakurgaon, Awami League and its allied organizations vandalized and looted offices of

Shibir on 6 February. At 10.30 pm, the Nekmard unit office of Shibir was attacked by a group of

BCL members led by Ranishonkail upazila president of BCL Shahidul Haq.65

In Ullapara of sirajganj district, police opened fire at a rally of Hartal supporters. Two members

of Shibir named Munnu and Ruhullah were shot and another 5 were injured in this attack.

Attacks on Jamaat-Shibir Offices

Case - 1

Police attacked on the Dhaka City office of Jamaat and forced the office bearers and secretaries

to leave.66

Police had done this for consecutive four days, but did not admit that for a single time.

Secretary of Dhaka City Jamaat Hamidur Rahman Azad MP complained that, Police also

compelled him to leave the office showing very rude attitude. Though about 20-25 Police

including D.B was running the operation, Officials of the Local Police stations (Paltan Thana &

Motijheel Thana) denied the fact.

64http://www.amardeshonline.com/pages/printnews/2013/02/07/186662

65http://www.amardeshonline.com/pages/printnews/2013/02/07/186662

66The Daily Prothom Alo - 25

thNovember, 2011


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Case - 2

Police run an operation in the Central office of Shibir and arrested three persons.67

This operation

was committed on 5:00 pm afternoon on 23rd

November. But later on, Police snatched away

about One thousand taka from them and released them. However, Police also arrested some

more local people

suspecting them as

Shibir activists, but

they were released

after a while.

Police Attack in Dhaka

Police severely attacked on Jamaat-e-Islami procession in the capital Dhaka demanding the

release of top its leaders including Delawar Hossain Sayedee.68

The attack left at least 10 people

injured at the citys Malibagh

area on 12 September 2011,

afternoon. Police baton-

charged the party men when

they were holding a peaceful

procession organized by

Dhaka Metropolitan unit of Jamaat. Police arrested at least 25 Jamaat activists from the spot.69

67The Daily Amar Desh - 24

thNovember, 2011

68http://newagebd.com/newspaper1/index.php?news=33052

69http://thedailystar.net/newDesign/print_news.php?nid=202227


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The party members were due to gather at the Engineers Institution compound at 4 pm for which

proper permission was obtained from the authority. But the police locked the whole place up in

the morning and did not allow any person to come around the area. Several persons were arrested

who tried to enter the venue of the protest rally. Being unable to hold the meeting in the

scheduled venue, the Jamaat activists assembled in the Kakrail area of the city and prepared for

the rally led by Assistant Secretary General of the party Professor Mujibur Rahman who has

recently been released from detention. At one stage, the Jamaat activists brought a procession

from Kakrail crossing and proceeded towards Malibagh crossing at about 4:00pm.70

At the end of the program police suddenly swung into action to disperse the rally. Fierce beating

and firing by the police at the demonstrators caused widespread panic in the neighboring areas.

More than hundred activists of Jamaat along with 30 common passersby were severely injured in

the police action in the area. All business establishments were shuttered during the clash that also

created a huge traffic jam, causing public sufferings.71

Police charged batons and fired teargas on Jamaat men who gathered in the protest rally

demanding the release of detained leaders. More than 50 Jamaat activists were arrested from the

procession among them 21 are in Shahbag police station and 26 are at the Ramna police station.

This was the one of the largest incidents of mass arrest in several months. Rafiqul Islam, officer-

in-charge of Ramna Police Station, said they detained 25 to 26 men on charges of attacking the

law enforcers and injuring them without any provocation.72





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Police Attack in Sylhet

Police attack on Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Chhatra Shibir activists has left at least

35 injured. The incidents took place in two phases around 4 pm on 11 September 2011 at the

Sylhet city's Zindabazar and Chouhatta intersections. The clashes ensued when police blocked a

procession of Jamaat and Chhatra Shibir activists demanding release of its central leaders, who

are currently in jail on charges of alleged crimes against humanity in 1971.73

The demonstration of hundreds of BJI activists began at the Court point led by Sylhet

Metropolitan Pesident Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair. As soon as the tail of the rally reached Shyamoli

Centre, a great number of police started to throw tear shells at the demonstrators without being

provoked. Police fired 30 rounds

of rubber bullet shots and 25

rounds of teargas shell at the

activists. Police charged baton and

fired teargas shells a second time

to stop the procession that led to

another fierce clash. Later, a Rapid Action Battalion contingent joined the police in the action,

eyewitnesses said. Three severely wounded Jamaat activists namely Shahjahan Ali, Shahriar

Alam and Anwarul Wadud were admitted to a private clinic in the city.74

Eight people were arrested by the police from the site. Among the arrested activists areObaidur

Rahman Masud, Obaidul Haque, Shukur Ali, Touhid Ahmed and Oliur Rahman.75

Later police

73www.bdnews24.com/details.php?id=205796&cid=3



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has filed a case of assault against 3000 Jamaat activists and leaders including Metropolitan

President Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, District South President Habibur Rahman, Professsor Abdul

Hannan, Dr. Sayef Ahmad, Sirajul Islam Shahin Advocate Zia Uddin Nader and others.76

In the same night, Police arrested Jamaat leader Shams Uddin from a clinic where he was under

treatment for his wound he received from the attack on the procession. On 3 am in the morning,

Police conducted a raid in the house of Surma Upazila Chairman and Jamaat leader Maolana

Lokman Ahmed for arresting him, when he was not at home.77

Police Attack in Bogra

In Bogra another procession of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami was attacked by Police leavening

four activists injured. Police charged with batons on the peaceful procession called by Jamaat

demanding the release of their central leaders. Jamaat had begun its rally from Satmatha of the

city before it was dispersed by sudden police attack. Later the activists assembled in a protest

meeting in front of the Press Club led by district Jamaat President Shahabuddin.78

Shibir: Victim of Campus Violence

BCL Violence in Islamic University

Violent attack on students of Islamic University by BCL has caused the university to remain

close from 26th

September to 26th

November with all examinations postponed. At least 40 people

75www.bdnews24.com/details.php?id=205796&cid=3





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were injured, three with bullets, as the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), the ruling Awami

Leagues associate body of students, attacked Islami Chhatra Shibir, Jamaat-e-Islamis associate

body of students, at the Islamic University in Kushtia on 26 October 2011. Thousands of

students had to evacuate the dorms amid strike in transport sector.79

The clash centred on the appointment of a dining manager at the Lalan Shah Hall. Hall

authorities had decided to change the dining manager on October 25 and issued a notice for the

appointment of a manager over which BCL and Shibir had some disagreement. The authorities

held a meeting with the two groups till 8:00pm to resolve the matter. When the meeting was

going on, Chhatra League men gathered at the hall gate and started an attack on Shibir activists.

Chhatra League activists came out of Saddam Hossain Hall, Ziaur Rahman Hall and

Bangabandhu Sheikh Muzibur Rahman Hall to take part in the attack. At least 10 crude bombs

were exploded and 30 rounds were traded by BCL during the clash. The critically injured eight

were admitted to Kushtia General Hospital after they had been primary treatment in the

university medical centre.

The students adviser, Meher Ali, the acting hall provost Shamsul Alam Siddique, and the acting

proctor, Mohabbat Hossain, then met the university unit Chhatra League president, Jahangir

Hossain, and the hall unit Shibir president, Assaduzzaman, in the office of the Lalan Shah hall

provost. About an hour and a half afterwards, the superintendent of police, Mafij Uddin Ahmed,

students adviser Meher Ali, acting proctor Mohabbat Hossain visited the place. Begum

Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall provost Akhtarujjaman has allegedly encouraged violence instead of

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mitigating the conflict. The police fired blank shots and teargas shells the control the situation.

The police on the evening raided the hall and seized a lethal weapon but no one was arrested.

The university unit Shibir president, Mainul Islam said that Chhatra League activists had

attacked them without any provocatio. Earlier on 14 August, BCL has carried out another attack

on Shibir activists during the Ramadan vacation. According to Professor Dr. Tozammel Hossain,

the president of Teachers Society of the university, lack of measures taken against previous

violence has caused the repetition of the same incidents, which has undermined the general

academic environment and safety in the campus. The month long closure is worsening the

session jam situations of the faculties.

Torture on Shibir activists in Educational Institutions

Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), the student front of the ruling party Awami League was

extremely violent over its oppositions since day one of its regime. There animalistic attitude

remains still the same. The month of November witnessed two major clashes between BCL and

Shibir. With the Police back ups, BCL unleashed their fury and anger over Shibir activists.

Case1: Dhaka Uni versity of Engineeri ng Technology (DUET)

The BCL faction ofDhaka University of Engineering Technology(DUET) made an unnecessary

attack over the Shibir activist students there on 27th

October.80

Sources said, some posters

criticizing the activities of the present govt. was hung in the campus in the name of Conscious

Students Society. BCL activists suspected Shibir for the posters and attacked on them with iron

80The Daily Prothom ALo - 28

thOctober


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rods and batons at about 1:30 am at night. The tortured known faces of Shibir there and as a

result; about 15 activists including the Secretary of DUET Shibir was severely injured. However,

they started searching the rooms of suspected Shibir workers and collected and gathered the

books, clothing and

beddings of those Shibir

activists and burnt them in

fire. However, no case or

any academic action was

taken against those BCL

cadres but Shibir

supporter students are

now out of campus.

Case2: I slamic Un iversity of Kushtia

Severe clash between BCL and Shibir took place in the Islamic University of Kushtia on 26th

October.81

The clash started when Rezwan, an activist of Shibir was stabbed by BCL cadres at

Lalan Shah Hall of the campus. Later on, BCL cadres attacked Shibir with fire arms and cocktail

bombs. Police initially played an inactive role, but afterwards supported them by baton charging

the Shibir activists along with firing tear cells towards them. This clash took place for more than

two hours where about 30 Shibir activists were injured.

81The Daily Amar Desh - 27

thOctober


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So, after such little examples, it can easily be inferred that how dismal the actual scenario of the

socio-political situation is now in Bangladesh. Awami League led Grand Alliance govt. is so

much vindictive over Jamaat and Shibir from the very beginning of their electoral term. It creates

suspicion and fear among the civil society and the general people as well about the future of

democracy in Bangladesh.

BCL-men Shoot on Shibir in Daylight

Chhatra League cadres including the former

organizational secretary of RU unit named SM

Towhid Al Hossain Tuhin is seen open firing on

Islami Chhatrashibir activists in RU. At least 25

students were injured, three of them bullet-hit, in a

fierce clash between Islamic Chhatra Shibir and Bangladesh Chhatra League activists at Rajshahi

University (RU)82

Arrests and Torture

Top Jamaat Leaders Arrested

Besides the Ameer (Party Chief) of Jamaat-e-Islami Motiur Rahman Nizami, most of the top

leaders of the party are arrested including Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mohamaad Mujahid,

82Daily Star 03.10.12


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Mohammad Kamaruzzaman, Delwar Hossain Sayedee,

and former Ameer Golam Azam. Police keeps arresting

the national and district level leaders of Bangladesh

Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Chhatra Shibir is numerous

criminal cases such as vehicle burning, obstructing public

officials etc where the involvement of the arrested leaders

is very unlikely.

On 29 June 2010 Police arrested three top Jamaat leaders;

the President of Jamaat Mawlana Motiur Rahman Nizami,

Vice President Mawlana Delwar Hossain Saydee and

Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mujahid in connection with a case of hurting religious sentiment

(CR 1012/12) and kept them in the Detective Branch (DB) office where the Jamaat leaders had

to spend all night on the floor with nothing except two pieces of blanket each. They were denied

access to their lawyers and family members despite repeated request to the authority.

On 13th

July, Jamaat assistant secretary generals, Mr. Kamaruzzaman and Mr. Abdul Kader

Molla (Molla) went to the High Court in order to obtain anticipatory bail in connection with

some cases. The Attorney General office sought time and accordingly, the Court adjourned the

hearing of anticipatory bail for a day and ordered the government not to arrest or harass them

until the hearing. Nonetheless, the police arrested them both while exiting the Supreme Court

premises. The lawyers of Kamaruzzaman and Molla produced the lawyers' certificates of court

order to the police who replied that there were plenty of other cases awaiting the Jamaat leaders.

Later the police showed them arrest in connection with another case.Pallabi PS case no 60(1)08.


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Afterwards these top 5 leaders of Jamaat had been detained for 9 months without any charge

framed against them and many of their human and legal rights had been violated. Political

leaders were tortured in the custody. Jaamat Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mujahid and Vice-

President Maolana Delwar Hossian Sayedee alleged that they were tortured continuously for nine

days during remand period and could not take rest due to the torture of police in custody.83

ATM Azharul Islam and Tasnim Alam

Law enforcers have arrested around 50 leaders and activists of Jamaat-e-Islami including its

acting secretary general ATM Azharul Islam and Publication secretary Tasnim Alam for charge

of street violence that spread after Police baton-charged the party men when they were holding a

peaceful procession organized by Dhaka Metropolitan unit of Jamaat on 12 September 2011,

afternoon.84

ATM Azharul Islams two sons Taslim Azhar and Ali Azhar were also arrested and

detained in police custody. Metropolitan Magistrate Sukanto Bagchi remanded the Jamaat

mmbers for the cases filed with Paltan Police Station and Ramna Police Station. The remand

lasted for 19 days after which the leaders were sent to prison.

The police have tortured the leaders during the remand by physical and mental harassment, not

serving food on proper time, denying external food supply to the violation of regulations. The

detained leaders were not allowed to say their prayers.85

Professor Mujibur Rahman

Police had detained 20 Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami men with Professor Mujibur Rahman (56),

former Member of Parliament, Assistant Secretary General of Bangladesh Jamaat E Islmai

83The Daily Nayadiganta, 11/07/2010

84http://thedailystar.net/newDesign/print_news.php?nid=202227

85Daily Amar Desh, 19/10/2011


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Central committee and President of Sramik Kolyan Federation, from 1/J, 2/10, section-1,

Kalwalapara of Mirpur-1 of the capital city Dhaka on 28 October, 2010. They were holding a

special prayer at their Mirpur local office for Habibur Rahman, a party activist killed on October

28, 2006, by Awami League-led 14-party alliance. While special prayer was going on, police

raided the office and arrested them without prior allegation and warrant of arrest.86

Police had detained 20 Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami men with Professor Mujibur Rahman (56),

former Member of Parliament, Assistant Secretary General of Bangladesh Jamaat E Islmai

Central committee and President of Sramik Kolyan Federation, from 1/J, 2/10, section-1,

Kalwalapara of Mirpur-1 of the capital city Dhaka on 28 October, 2010. A 3 days police remand

had been granted for these 19 arrested Jamaat-men by the Court on 29 October 2010. These

Jamaat men were holding a special prayer at their Mirpur local office for Habibur Rahman, a

party activist killed on October 28, 2006, by Awami League-led 14-party alliance. While special

prayer was going on, Police raided the office and held them without prior allegation and warrant

of arrest.87

AKM Nazir Ahmad and Hamidur Rahman Azad

On December 11, 2011, Two Dhaka courts sent seven Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami leaders and

activists to jail, hours after their surrender, in connection with two cases filed for assaulting

police and obstructing them from discharging their duties on September 19 2010.88

86The Daily Amar Desh; 29 October 2010

87The Daily Amar Desh; 29 October 2010

2009-2013: A Black Regime of Brutal Oppression on Jamaat and Shibir in Bangladesh

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