AMNESTY
INTERNATIONAL
PRESS
RELEASE
AI Index: ASA 13/015/2002 (Public)
News Service No: 189
23 October 2002
Bangladesh:
Accountability needed in 'Operation Clean Heart'Amnesty
International urged today the Government of Bangladesh to
investigate immediately all allegations of deaths in
custody and torture by the army and the police since a
"crackdown" on crime - known as 'Operation
Clean Heart' - began on 17 October.
"The government must bring to justice any army or
police personnel involved in the torture of detainees,
and clarify the legal status of the army's involvement in
arrests of civilians", said Amnesty International.
Over 2000 people have been arrested and at least five
people have died in custody since the government called
in the army to "assist" in 'Operation Clean
Heart'. More than a dozen detainees have been sent to
hospital with severe injuries reportedly caused by
beatings while in army custody. They include both members
of the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party and the
opposition Awami League.
Abul Khair Ratan died while in custody following his
arrest on 18 October, reportedly as a result of torture.
Two other men, Yakub Ali and Jahangir Alam also died
while they were in custody. The Home Ministry has said
the deaths were caused by heart failure but family
members reportedly believe they were tortured to death.
The bodies of the dead were reportedly not handed over to
their relatives fuelling doubts about the official post
mortem examination results on those who died in custody.
Some of the detainees are possible prisoners of
conscience. Two Awami League leaders -
Saber Hossain Chowdhury, Political Secretary to the
Leader of the Opposition, Sheikh Hasina, and Sheikh
Fazlul Karim Selim, member of parliament and former
health minister - were
arrested by the army on 20 and 21 October,
and were held initially incommunicado. No details have
been made public about the possible charges against them,
and Amnesty International fears they may be detained
solely for their peaceful opposition to the government.
Amnesty International urges the government to ensure that
all those
detained on account of their peaceful
political activities are released immediately and
unconditionally. In the past, the Government of
Bangladesh has filed criminal cases against opposition
politicians effectively securing their detention and
removal from active politics.
"It is every government's duty to ensure law and
order for the benefit of all citizens, but this cannot be
imposed at the expense of the basic rights of the
people", Amnesty International said.
Background
'Operation Clean Heart' is the government's response to
growing concern within Bangladesh and the international
community about continued deterioration in law and order
including a rise in criminal activity, murder, rape and
acid throwing. While Amnesty International acknowledges
the government's efforts to improve law and order, it
urges the government to ensure that the army's activities
are conducted within the rule of law and with respect for
human rights.
The legal status of the army's involvement in 'Operation
Clean Heart' is not clear. Many of the detainees have
been arrested under Section 54 of Code of Criminal
Procedure which allows the police rather than the army to
detain people on suspicion of involvement in criminal
activity. Amnesty International has serious concerns
about the use of this law in Bangladesh. Prisoners
detained under Section 54 have frequently been tortured
while in custody.
In the initial wave of army operations, many members and
supporters of the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party
were detained. These included a number of BNP local
leaders. Members and supporters of the Awami
League were also later detained. Many senior party
figures have gone into hiding. Others are afraid of
entering Awami League offices for fear of arrest. The
Awami League's documentation centre has been raided by
the army. Documents and equipment were taken away.
Following interrogation by the army -- which reportedly
often involves
torture -- the detainees are handed over to the police
who then decide whether to release them or hold them in
custody for further interrogation. Many of those arrested
in recent army operations have reportedly been released
but many hundreds are believed to remain in detention.
They include both members of the ruling and the
opposition parties.
|