Mahdi claims ‘unprecedented’ press freedom, TIB disagrees

Prime Minister’s Adviser Mahdi Amin has claimed that Bangladesh has seen “unprecedented” freedom of speech and respect for human rights under the BNP government over the past seven months. But Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman said available data showed a different picture.

They traded the remarks at a discussion organised by TIB at the Midas Centre in Dhanmondi, Dhaka, on Tuesday afternoon. The discussion was titled “Democracy, Human Rights and Accountable Governance”. Mahdi Amin was the chief guest.

Other speakers at the discussion included Naushad Zamir, chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs; doctor and young politician Tasnim Jara and Dr Manisha Chakraborty, coordinator of the Barisal district unit of the Socialist Party of Bangladesh (BASAD).

Mahdi Amin said there had been no human rights violations in the country during the period. He said there had been no enforced disappearances, killings, extrajudicial deaths or deaths in custody with state support. He also said the government had not taken away the views, political positions or beliefs of opposition groups.

“We are seeing the highest level of freedom of speech in history,” he said. He added that the government was showing tolerance even when people used offensive or abusive language.

Mahdi Amin said the government wanted to build an inclusive state based on human rights, freedom of speech, the rule of law, equality, dignity and social justice.

But Iftekharuzzaman presented data that raised concerns about the government’s claims.

He said at least 52 incidents of harassment had been recorded over the practice of freedom of speech. A total of 58 people were detained in these cases, most of them under the Anti-Terrorism Act.

He said more than 1,730 incidents of violence against women and girls had also been recorded. At least 503 women and girls were raped, while at least 50 died. There were also 51 cases of people being detained and tortured.

According to Iftekharuzzaman, seven people died directly at the hands of law enforcement agencies. He also said there was at least one case of enforced disappearance involving a law enforcement agency.

He said these incidents were a cause for concern.

Iftekharuzzaman also questioned the process of turning ordinances into laws. He said no participatory process had been followed in the second round of ordinances that were made into laws.

He warned that laws on human rights, justice and accountability should not be imposed without proper public participation.

Mahdi Amin rejected the claim that the state was supporting such incidents. He said there was a major change in how the government responded to wrongdoing. In the past, he said, orders came from the top. Now, complaints were reaching the authorities from the ground and action was being taken.