Jump to content

2013 Shapla Square protests: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
AnomieBOT (talk | contribs)
Bots
6,503,363 edits
m Dating maintenance tags: {{CN}}
new section
Line 22: Line 22:
==Involvement of pro-Taliban leaders==
==Involvement of pro-Taliban leaders==
Maulana Habibur Rahman, a madrasa principal of [[Sylhet]], who declared in an interview that he has traveled to Afghanistan during the Afghan war in 1988, is one of the organizers of Hefajat-e Islam’s May 5 Dhaka long march.<ref name=taliban-1>{{cite news|title=Target Taliban rule|url=http://www.thedailystar.net/beta2/news/target-taliban-rule/|accessdate=4 May 2013|newspaper=[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)]]|date=7 April 2013}}</ref><ref name=AQ_Link-DT>{{cite news|title=Bangladesh Islamist militants maintain links with al-Qaeda|url=http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2014/feb/17/bangladesh-islamist-militants-maintain-links-al-qaeda|accessdate=29 May 2014|newspaper=[[Dhaka Tribune]]|date=February 17, 2014}}</ref> In an interview published in 2004, he revealed his involvement with [[Osama Bin Laden]] and another banned Islamist militant organization [[Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami|Harkat-ul Jihad al-Islami]] (Huji) Bangladesh. In that interview he said:<blockquote>“An invitation from Harkat-ul Jihad Al Islami made it possible for me to make the fortunate trip to Afghanistan. Those of us who visited the Afghan war fields during that trip are Shaikhul Hadith, Ataur Rahman Khan, Sultan Jaok, Abdul Mannan, Habibullah, myself and three others.”<ref name=taliban-1 /></blockquote>
Maulana Habibur Rahman, a madrasa principal of [[Sylhet]], who declared in an interview that he has traveled to Afghanistan during the Afghan war in 1988, is one of the organizers of Hefajat-e Islam’s May 5 Dhaka long march.<ref name=taliban-1>{{cite news|title=Target Taliban rule|url=http://www.thedailystar.net/beta2/news/target-taliban-rule/|accessdate=4 May 2013|newspaper=[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)]]|date=7 April 2013}}</ref><ref name=AQ_Link-DT>{{cite news|title=Bangladesh Islamist militants maintain links with al-Qaeda|url=http://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2014/feb/17/bangladesh-islamist-militants-maintain-links-al-qaeda|accessdate=29 May 2014|newspaper=[[Dhaka Tribune]]|date=February 17, 2014}}</ref> In an interview published in 2004, he revealed his involvement with [[Osama Bin Laden]] and another banned Islamist militant organization [[Harkat-ul-Jihad al-Islami|Harkat-ul Jihad al-Islami]] (Huji) Bangladesh. In that interview he said:<blockquote>“An invitation from Harkat-ul Jihad Al Islami made it possible for me to make the fortunate trip to Afghanistan. Those of us who visited the Afghan war fields during that trip are Shaikhul Hadith, Ataur Rahman Khan, Sultan Jaok, Abdul Mannan, Habibullah, myself and three others.”<ref name=taliban-1 /></blockquote>

==Involving children in violence==
Hefazat brought a huge number of [[madrasa]] students to stage this protest without telling them about its purpose.<ref name=Child-123>{{cite news|title=Keep the children out of it|url=http://www.dhakatribune.com/op-ed/2013/dec/01/keep-children-out-it|accessdate=29 May 2014|newspaper=[[Dhaka Tribune]]|date=December 1, 2013}}</ref><ref name=Child-DT-1234>{{cite news|title=Child Act-2013: A milestone not without shortcomings|url=http://childrights.thedailystar.net/2014/01/child-act-2013-a-milestone-not-without-shortcomings/|accessdate=29 May 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Lawmakers allergic to word ‘Hefazat’|url=http://www.dhakatribune.com/law-amp-rights/2013/may/23/lawmakers-allergic-word-%E2%80%98hefazat%E2%80%99|accessdate=29 May 2014|newspaper=Dhaka Tribune|date=May 23, 2013}}</ref><ref name=DS-Child-1254>{{cite news|title=Noted personalities express concern|url=http://www.daily-sun.com/details_yes_15-05-2013_Children-in-violent-politics_497_2_5_1_0.html|accessdate=29 May 2014|newspaper=The Daily Sun|quote=May 5 Shapla Chattar grand rally of Hefazat-e-Islam. In TV footages and video clips posted on different social media showed, Hefazat brought a large number of Quami Madrasah students who mostly are below 18 years to the grand rally and siege programmes at six entry points of the capital. After crackdown by the joint forces of BGB, RAB and Police, many panic-stricken children were seen coming out from the pandemonium of the Motijheel Shapla Chattar. Later some participant children told media that they have ever come to the capital and joined the Hefazat programmes on direction of their teachers without knowing details about the programmes.}}</ref> TV footage showes that, Hefazat leaders engage these children in mass violence and when security force flash them out, leaders left those children alone.<ref name=DS-Child-1254/>




Revision as of 14:35, 29 May 2014

The 2013 Operation at Motijheel Shapla Chattar is the term given to events on May 5 and 6, 2013, in the capital city of Dhaka, Bangladesh, encompassing a rally and violent protest by Hefajat-e Islam, an extremist organization, and the government's use law enforcement forces the next day to suppress the violence. Much of the day's events were telecast live on national television.[1][2] Different free media found Afgan war returned pro Taliban leader's involvement in this protest.[3][4] Different sources provide different figure about the casualties, several sources reported that more than 30 were dead.[5][6][7][8][9]

In the early hours of 6 May, a combined specialized force drawn from police, the elite Rapid Action Battalion and paramilitary Border Guard Bangladesh to drive Hefazat from Shapla Chattar.[10][11][12] Hefazat claim thousands of their men was died on this operation; that has not been supported by the free press, Human Rights Watch, Odhikar's June report, or the government.[13][14]

Background

The events on May 5–6 were related to continuing unrest and protests by Hefazat-e-Islam, identified as a fundamentalist, extremist organization. They oppose changes in the country that relate to women's education and loosening restrictions against genders appearing in mixed situations in public.

A February 22, 2013 protest developed into violence. On April 6, 2013, its supporters made a long-march to promote their 13-point charter of demands, which promote an extremely conservative view of society.[15] The government arrested Mahmudur Rahman, editor of the opposition Amar Desh newspaper, on charges of sedition. He was tortured in prison.[16]

Protest and events

Hefazat-e-Islam organized a protest on May 5 against what they called "atheist bloggers,"[17] and demanded new legislation to provide punishment for blasphemy.[18][19][20] They had a 13-point list of demands that included the following:[19]

  • execution of so called atheist bloggers;
  • demand of blasphemy law;
  • cancellation of the country's pro-women development policy;
  • ban on the mixing of men and women in public;
  • end to "shameless behavior and dresses"; and
  • rule that the Ahmadiyya sect as non-Muslim.

The Hefajat protesters assaulted two on-duty television journalists before the rally.[21] In the major part of the violence, the protesters began by attacking and burning the Communist Party of Bangladesh's office at Motijheel.[22][23] Hefajat supporters vandalized and torched at least 50 vehicles and several buildings during their rally.[24] They violently attacked others in front of the ruling party Awami League's headquarter at Paltan, Dhaka.[25] Hefajat supporters set fire to book stores near the National Mosque Baitul Mukarram.[26]

Involvement of pro-Taliban leaders

Maulana Habibur Rahman, a madrasa principal of Sylhet, who declared in an interview that he has traveled to Afghanistan during the Afghan war in 1988, is one of the organizers of Hefajat-e Islam’s May 5 Dhaka long march.[3][4] In an interview published in 2004, he revealed his involvement with Osama Bin Laden and another banned Islamist militant organization Harkat-ul Jihad al-Islami (Huji) Bangladesh. In that interview he said:

“An invitation from Harkat-ul Jihad Al Islami made it possible for me to make the fortunate trip to Afghanistan. Those of us who visited the Afghan war fields during that trip are Shaikhul Hadith, Ataur Rahman Khan, Sultan Jaok, Abdul Mannan, Habibullah, myself and three others.”[3]

Involving children in violence

Hefazat brought a huge number of madrasa students to stage this protest without telling them about its purpose.[27][28][29][30] TV footage showes that, Hefazat leaders engage these children in mass violence and when security force flash them out, leaders left those children alone.[30]


The operation and casualties

According to government estimates, the number of casualties in this operation was 11, including a few law enforcement members.[13] Hefazat-e-Islam claims that thousands of their members were killed; Human Rights Watch rebutted that claim.[13][14] Independent free media reported total deaths over 30, and possibly up to 50.

According to different free media, the death toll rose to 22, including some law enforcement forces.[7] A few foreign organization estimated the deaths as up to 50.[citation needed]

The government has filed 12 cases against top leaders of the Hefajat-e Islam for murder, vandalism, arson and destruction of properties and other charges.[31]

Because of the differing views, Human Rights Watch called for an independent body to investigate the protest deaths,[32][33][34] the poet and activist Farhad Mazhar said the government and media were making a cover-up and disinformation campaign.[35]

Later incidents

On 10 June, Odhikar, a human rights organization, published a controvercial report on human rights violations, but they didn't provide any list of casualties with this report.[36][37][38] On 19 June, Sheikh Hasina, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh rejected that, stating in Parliament that

"..and that day's event was fully televised, you have seen how they have rubbed red dye onto their bodies and when police came and called them they got up and ran away... we saw that dead bodies made a run for it! This kind of drama has been made there."[39]

On 27 June, a US law firm, representing two Bangladesh diaspora organisations, filed cases in the International Criminal Court against 25 Bangladeshi ministers and security officials, including Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.[40] Whether a Brussels based lawyer said- "I am not sure about the objective of it and I am sure those Washington-based organisations have some political motives. They may have been trying to create political hype since filing a complaint in the ICC does not mean proceedings of a case will start immediately"[41]

On August 10, Adilur Rahman Khan, general secretary of Odhikar, was arrested after being charged with publishing a fake list of 61 deaths according to a police investigation.[42] In a press statement, the US Department of State expressed deep concern over the arrest and demanded his immediate release.[43]

References

  1. ^ "Controversy over Shapla Square Casualty". The Independent. 9 May 2013. Retrieved 1 September 2013.
  2. ^ "Riot police battle Islamists in Dhaka Bangladesh". BBC news. BBC. Retrieved 2013-05-21.
  3. ^ a b c "Target Taliban rule". The Daily Star (Bangladesh). 7 April 2013. Retrieved 4 May 2013.
  4. ^ "Bangladesh protest violence leaves more than 30 people dead". guardian.co.uk. Retrieved 2013-05-20.
  5. ^ "Clashes over Islam blasphemy law kill 27 in Bangladesh". MSN. Retrieved 2013-05-20.
  6. ^ a b "27 more killed". The Daily Star. 7 May 2013. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
  7. ^ Paul, Ruma. "At least 20 dead in Islamist protests in Bangladesh". Yahoo News. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
  8. ^ BNS bears Hefajat brunt
  9. ^ "Hefajat men flee Motijheel". The Daily Star (Bangladesh). May 6, 2013. Retrieved 28 May 2014.
  10. ^ "Govt trashes loss of thousands of lives rumour". The Daily Star (Bangladesh). 10 May 2013. Retrieved 28 May 2014.
  11. ^ "Bangladesh clashes rage over blasphemy law"
  12. ^ a b c "HRW rebuts genocide claim". bdnews24.com. 11 May 2013. Retrieved 26 October 2013.
  13. ^ a b "HRW bins genocide claim by BNP, Hefazat". The Daily Sun. Retrieved 26 October 2013.
  14. ^ "Ganajagaran vows to resist Hefazat hartal". The Independent. 7 April 2013. Retrieved 26 October 2013.
  15. ^ " http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-22110132 "
  16. ^ Bangladesh Islamists rally against bloggers, BBC
  17. ^ "Press note on Motijheel reflects party views instead of govt: Dudu". Weekend Independent. May 12, 2013. Retrieved 19 May 2013.
  18. ^ a b "At least 32 dead as Bangladesh Islamists demand blasphemy law". Dawn. May 6, 2013. Retrieved 19 May 2013.
  19. ^ Rahman, Anisur (May 5, 2013). "Radical Islamists lay siege to Dhaka". Gulf News. Retrieved 19 May 2013.
  20. ^ "2 scribes beaten up by Hifazat". bdnews24.com. May 5, 2013.
  21. ^ "Hifazat men burn CPB office". bdnews24.com. 5 May 2013. Retrieved 5 May 2013.
  22. ^ "How could they do it?". The Daily Star. May 7, 2013.
  23. ^ "Hifazat sets vehicles on fire". bdnews24.com. May 5, 2013.
  24. ^ "Jamaat behind AL office attack: Alamgir". bdnews24.com. 5 May 2013. Retrieved 5 May 2013.
  25. ^ "Hifazat burns Quran, Hadith in blind rage". May 6, 2013.
  26. ^ "Keep the children out of it". Dhaka Tribune. December 1, 2013. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  27. ^ "Child Act-2013: A milestone not without shortcomings". Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  28. ^ "Lawmakers allergic to word 'Hefazat'". Dhaka Tribune. May 23, 2013. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  29. ^ a b "Noted personalities express concern". The Daily Sun. Retrieved 29 May 2014. May 5 Shapla Chattar grand rally of Hefazat-e-Islam. In TV footages and video clips posted on different social media showed, Hefazat brought a large number of Quami Madrasah students who mostly are below 18 years to the grand rally and siege programmes at six entry points of the capital. After crackdown by the joint forces of BGB, RAB and Police, many panic-stricken children were seen coming out from the pandemonium of the Motijheel Shapla Chattar. Later some participant children told media that they have ever come to the capital and joined the Hefazat programmes on direction of their teachers without knowing details about the programmes.
  30. ^ "12 cases against Hifazat leaders". bdnews24.com. May 6, 2013.
  31. ^ "Clashes over Bangladesh protest leave 27 dead". BBC news. BBC. Retrieved 2013-05-21.
  32. ^ "36 killed in Dhaka as Islamic militants clash with police". The telegraph. Retrieved 2013-05-21.
  33. ^ "Bangladesh: Independent Body Should Investigate Protest Deaths". New York: Human Rights Watch. May 11, 2013. Retrieved 25 August 2013.
  34. ^ [1]
  35. ^ "Odhikar's Hefajat list under wraps". The Daily Star (Bangladesh). August 18, 2013. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
  36. ^ "Odhikar Report on Hefajat Deaths: Questions aplenty". Pryo News. 01/09/2013. Retrieved 21 May 2014. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  37. ^ Odhikar, 10 June 2013 http://www.odhikar.org/documents/2013/FF_Report_2013/Hefazat_e_islam/Fact%20finding_Hefazate%20Islam_English.pdf
  38. ^ Parliamentary speech of Sheikh Hasina 19 June 2013 "https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=uoucAYQlQIc"
  39. ^ "Complaint filed at ICC against PM, 24 others". The Daily Star. 30 June 2013. Retrieved 19 July 2013.
  40. ^ "Complaint lodged at ICC accusing Hasina, 24 others". Dhaka Tribune. June 29, 2013. Retrieved 24 May 2014.
  41. ^ The Daily Star
  42. ^ Marie Harf (August 12, 2013). "Detention of Bangladeshi Human Rights Activist Adilur Rahman Khan". US Department of State. Retrieved 22 August 2013.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=2013_Shapla_Square_protests&oldid=610648925"