On the occasion of the 51st Independence Day of Bangladesh on March 26, the Coalition for Human Rights & Democracy in Bangladesh (CHRD Bangladesh) recalls the great liberation war in 1971. The war was necessitated to establish democratic rights of the people of the then East Pakistan against the oppression of the Pakistani military junta and ruling elite that refused to accept the people’s mandate in the 1970 election. Subsequently, in the proclamation of the independence of Bangladesh dated 17 April 1971, the principle of the state was declared to be equality, human dignity, and social justice.
CHRD Bangladesh notes with great dismay and anguish that the present ruling authoritarian regime has usurped all fundamental rights of the people of Bangladesh, making a complete mockery of the independence struggle. The rampant and heinous practice of enforced disappearances and extra-judicial killings of the current regime were not known during the Pakistani era until March 25, 1971. We welcome the sanctions by the US administration against some of the perpetrators of such crimes against humanity in Bangladesh. However, in our judgement, although the US government has taken token actions, unfortunately, these actions may not be enough to ensure the return of democracy and establish the rights of the people.
On the auspicious day of independence of Bangladesh, CHRD Bangladesh strongly condemns the continuation of repression and denial of human rights by the fascist regime of Sheikh Hasina. We urge the international community, including the government of the United States of America, to take firm actions against the undemocratic regime by the imposition of wider and stricter sanctions, so that the regime is compelled to hold a free, fair and credible election under the direct supervision of the United Nations.
The regime of Sheikh Hasina has destroyed all state institutions in Bangladesh during its 13 years rule and the further continuation of the autocracy would continue to pose great dangers not only to the people of the country, but may also endanger global peace because of a possible mass exodus of Bangladeshis to escape repression.