Bangladesh: Government must stem growing tide of violence

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

http://www.amnesty.org.uk/deliver/document/15558.html

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Amnesty International today (24 August 2004) expressed serious concern for the safety and security of people taking part in demonstrations in Bangladesh this week, and called for a full investigation into recent violence in the country.

The demonstrations have been called by the Awami League to protest against bomb attacks on their leadership last Saturday. The bombings left at least 19 people dead and some 300 wounded. Following the attacks, police used excessive force against party activists at the scene.

Amnesty International said:

“The Bangladeshi government has a clear responsibility to ensure that people attending these demonstrations are protected. A thorough and impartial investigation must also be carried out into Saturday’s bomb attacks. This must include an examination of why police personnel resorted to beating party activists at the scene of the bomb attacks, and why police officers reportedly refused to register a complaint against the attacks by survivors.”

The Government has already ordered a one-person judicial inquiry but the terms of reference of the inquiry and its scope have not been made public. It has not been announced if the outcome of the inquiry will be made public and what steps will be taken against those identified as perpetrators of the attack.
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