The United Nations declared World Humanitarian Day today, Monday, 2024. Today, the day is being celebrated all over the world for those who have made great sacrifices in the service of humanity, who have dedicated their lives to the welfare of mankind, and for the development of mankind.
On August 19, 2003, the United Nations office in Iraq was bombed, resulting in the deaths of 22 officers. The United Nations General Assembly decided in 2008 that World Humanitarian Day would be celebrated on August 19 every year from 2009. The council invited various countries and international and non-governmental organizations to observe the day. Through this, ordinary citizens around the world can strengthen their support for humanitarian work. This year, the day is being celebrated at a time when Bangladesh is going through a post-coup transition period.
Even in 53 years of independence, we have not been able to ensure the issues of human rights. Many are now leaving their rights to fate. Hospitals are full of brokers, school and college admissions are rife with brokers, and there are brokers to extract government documents and collect pension money. There is no end to the harassment even if you seek justice. A statistical review of the human rights situation for the six months from January to June 2024 shows that during this time, human rights violations are taking place through incidents such as deaths in the custody of law and order forces, killings at the border, persecution of journalists, and obstruction of freedom of expression. A report by the Center for Law and Arbitration, based on information published in national newspapers, states that eight people, including at least two women, have died in the custody of law enforcement agencies. Among them, a woman named Afroza Begum died in police custody at Jessore's Abhaynagar police station. The family alleged that she was tortured and killed by the police on demand of a bribe. Afroza Begum's son alleged that the police physically tortured his mother. Forty-six people died in prison custody in these six months, including 20 prisoners and 26 detainees. Among them, the highest number of deaths occurred in Dhaka Division: 13 prisoners and 10 detainees.
When people's trust in the state structure decreases, extrajudicial killings and torture, i.e., policy policing, increase. That's what is happening. In these six months, a total of 32 people were killed in lynchings in the country, with 16 people in Dhaka Division. At this time last year, the number of deaths due to mob lynching was 24.
Legally, in our country, policemen cannot arrest and torture anyone. But we often get such complaints. In 2013, the Death in Custody Act was passed. According to the Torture and Deaths in Custody (Prevention) Act 2013, a victim of torture can file a complaint in court. If physical and mental torture is proved, the punishment is a minimum of 5 years imprisonment or a fine of Tk 50,000. Apart from this, death due to torture can result in imprisonment for life or a fine. There was pressure from human rights organizations, the United Nations, and the international community behind this law. Before this law, no one dared to file a case against the police. Now, people are at least getting the courage to sue. This law is very important in the civilized world. We are far behind in that regard.
There are provisions of the law, and there have been many cases, but the examples of justice are very insignificant. In fact, it has been seen that the police station does not want to take the case. If a case is filed in court, it is again sent to that police station for investigation. Common people will not have the courage to file a case in this case. We demand that the victim or the complainant and their family be given the right to file a case outside the police station and that the complainant and their family be ensured security during the course of the case. Also, these cases should be investigated by judicial officers rather than police officers from the involved police station. Even so, there is a possibility of getting some positive results.
Violence against women-harassment, rape, murder, domestic violence-is a terrible picture. Still, roads and workplaces are not safe for women anywhere. Harassment of women in local buses is a daily occurrence. It's like it's all gone. No one has the responsibility to change these things. The question cannot be raised as to whose interest these crises are kept alive. The media now only says what it can say. In the last six months, 145 journalists have faced various forms of torture, harassment, threats, lawsuits, and obstacles in doing professional work.
Failure to control rape or gang rape is a weakness of our law and judiciary. If the law and judiciary had addressed this quickly, many would have thought ten times before committing such a crime. The punishment for such crimes needs to be greater. Weaknesses in law and justice, procrastination, and a lack of public awareness increase violence against women, rape, and child marriage. These are not just crimes; this is where humanity comes into play. Such uncontrolled oppression of women cannot continue in any civilized society. There should be awareness campaigns on television against women abuse and rape. There is something, but the amount of awareness campaign should be greater. Mass awareness campaigns should be increased through online and offline channels. Our social awareness is also low. Socially, the rape victim is considered more guilty than the rapist.
The minimum wage set for the livelihood of the workers in Bangladesh is not reasonable. Similarly, in the case of migrant workers, there are no examples of providing security, supervision, or any kind of state benefits. Yet, garment workers and expatriate workers are the main contributors to earning foreign exchange and leading the country toward prosperity.
Finally, I appeal to the current administration to ensure freedom of expression. The judicial department, anti-corruption commission, and human rights commission should be guaranteed to play an independent role.
Finally, I want to say: see and listen to the memory for future generations; believe that the friction of dry twigs will ignite the fire. To know the future, we must know the past. John Lack: History speaks forever. History makes people think, haunts. The significant events of daily life become history in time. Those events are recorded in history-some good, some first, some curses or blessings of human civilization. Therefore, the agenda of history is always important to people. And in Bangladesh, the violation of humanity is often happening. One is treating each other inhumanly for trivial incidents or for nefarious interests. Innocent people are stuck in jail for years without trial. Jealousy, strife, individual or group interests, and intolerance are on the rise. As a result, people are being inhumane to people constantly. Therefore, for those who have made great sacrifices, who have vowed to serve humanity, and who have sacrificed their lives for human welfare and development, under the guidance of the United Nations, every year on August 19, World Humanity Day is celebrated all over the world.
The writer is Founder and Chairman, Jatiya Rogi Kallyan Society
