Justice Makers Bangladesh in France Condemns Police Torture and Deaths in Bangladesh, Demands Accountability
PARIS, December 16, 2024 – JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) strongly condemned the recent unlawful acts of torture and killings by law enforcement agencies in Bangladesh. The incidents resulted in the deaths of Rafiqul Islam Dudu, Hazrat Ali, and Atiq Hasan Sardar in the first two weeks of December 2024 and revealed a disturbing pattern of brutality under the interim government led by Nobel Laureate Prof. Dr. Muhammad Yunus.
The Incidents
The three incidents occurred under suspicious circumstances:
1.Rafiqul Islam Dudu
•Date of death: December 13, 2024
•Location: Bheramara, Kushtia
•Incident details: Eyewitnesses claimed Rafiqul Islam Dudu was tortured by police officers and pushed off a bridge, leading to his death.
2.Hazrat Ali
•Date of death: December 6, 2024
•Location: Brahmanbaria
•Incident details: Reports state Hazrat Ali was beaten to death while in custody of a joint force.
3.Atiq Hasan Sardar
•Date of death: December 3, 2024
•Location: Jessore
•Incident details: Allegedly subjected to prolonged torture under the pretext of drug recovery by law enforcement officials.
International Outcry and Condemnation
•Robert Simon, French human rights activist and Chief Adviser of JMBF, called the killings “a stark violation of fundamental human rights”. He stressed the need for the international community to hold Bangladesh accountable for such atrocities.
•Advocate Shahanur Islam, a Bangladeshi human rights lawyer residing in France and the Founder President of JMBF, emphasized that these deaths are not isolated but instead symptomatic of systemic abuse within Bangladeshi law enforcement agencies.
“These alleged deaths due to torture are a stain on Bangladesh’s justice system. The law must protect citizens, not oppress them. The families of the victims deserve justice, and reforms must be immediate to prevent further tragedies,” Islam stated.
JMBF’s Key Demands
JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France has issued an urgent call for the following actions to ensure justice and prevent such violations:
1.Immediate Investigation and Accountability
•A transparent, independent investigation must be conducted into these cases. The perpetrators must face strict accountability under both national and international human rights laws.
2.Reform of Law Enforcement Agencies
•Comprehensive reforms are needed to ensure law enforcement adheres to human dignity, the right to life, and freedom from torture.
3.Support for Victims’ Families
•The families, especially the children of the victims, must receive adequate support, including:
•Psychological counseling and rehabilitation to cope with trauma.
•Fair and adequate financial compensation to ensure their well-being.
4.International Oversight
•The international community must hold Bangladesh accountable for failing to protect human rights and assist in implementing critical reforms within its law enforcement system.
Call for Justice
JMBF reiterated that these horrific incidents blatantly violate both Bangladesh’s constitution and international commitments, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the Convention Against Torture (CAT), both of which guarantee the right to life and freedom from torture.
Conclusion
JMBF stands in solidarity with the families of Rafiqul Islam Dudu, Hazrat Ali, and Atiq Hasan Sardar and vows to continue advocating for accountability, justice, and reform. “We urge the government to take immediate steps to ensure such heinous crimes do not go unpunished,” JMBF concluded in its statement.