Various human rights organisations and activists have condemned the culture of impunity regarding violence against the Adivasi communities of the country, the recent gang-rape of an Adivasi teenager in Khagrachhari and subsequent deaths during the anti-rape protests.
In a statement, 84 feminists demanded a speedy trial and maximum punishment for those involved in the rape of a Marma girl in Khagrachhari. They said that rape is not just a crime there; rather, it creates panic among the hill ethnic people, forcing them to leave their homes.
The feminists also demanded the trial of attacks and rapes on all indigenous peoples in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT), the withdrawal of military rule, the release of detained Bom community members, and an end to ethnic oppression.
The statement said that the latest rape incident is not an isolated incident against the Adivasi women; rather, it has once again made clear the use of rape as a terrible weapon of ethnic oppression that has been going on for years. Settlers are attacking, abusing and killing indigenous peoples in the hills in protest of this rape. Even though 72 hours have passed since the rape, the victim has not been medically examined.
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Seven hill women have been raped in Khagrachhari in the last year, the statement said, noting that every time they seek justice for these barbaric incidents, the victims and activists are being attacked, the case is lengthy, and the state is not cooperating.
In addition, the media is being censored and attempts to cover up the incident are being made, the police are reluctant to take up the case, the accused are being granted bail by preparing weak complaints, medical examinations are not being conducted, or evidence is being destroyed late, and the victims are not being provided adequate legal assistance.
The feminists made seven demands, including ensuring justice within 90 days in all previous rape cases under the prevailing law; establishing one-stop crisis centres and forensic labs for rape victims in all districts of the country, including Khagrachhari and Bandarban; and establishing full autonomy and ensuring constitutional recognition, independent living and fundamental rights of citizens of all ethnicities.
The statement was signed by Dhaka University teacher Mosahida Sultana, anthropologist Saema Khatun, journalist Saydia Gulrukh, writer Ferdous Ara Rumi, private university ULAB teacher Kabya Krittika, BRAC University teacher Nazifa Tasnim, Islamic University teacher Farha Tanzim, writer-researcher Dalia Chakma, Hill Women’s Federation president Niti Chakma, Revolutionary Students’ Alliance Dhaka University branch president Nuzia Hasin, rights activist Prabati Tapsi, Student Union vice-president Nazifa Jannat, Democratic Student Council president Sayedul Haque, researcher Mim Arafat, writer-researcher Naushin Flora, and others.
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Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has demanded that the culprits be punished through a judicial investigation into the incident.
In a statement on Sunday, the TIB said that the peaceful movement that arose around the rape of a 12-year-old indigenous girl in Khagrachhari in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, which is under the de facto authority of the Bangladesh Army, became violent due to the involvement of vested interests.
โAccording to information published in the media, seven indigenous women have been raped in this district in the last year, but no case has been prosecuted so far. Is the rational movement of the indigenous peoples demanding justice based on the brutal rape of a teenager a crime?โ
Calling on all parties concerned to normalise the situation, TIB Executive Director Dr. Iftekharuzzaman said: โThe attempt to show the rape of indigenous women as normal is not new. Why could the local administration and police, mainly under the authority of the army, not adopt active and effective strategies to prevent this violence promptly? Is this indifference to the destructive conspiracy of vested interests or collusion? As a result, the process of planned deprivation of rights and ethnic oppression of indigenous peoples is being normalised. Starting from the health check-up of the rape victims to the admission of the case, there is a deliberate attempt to protect the rapist in the entire trial process. In such a situation, the ongoing movement of the indigenous peoples due to the fear of not getting justice is a very logical event. Sensitive behaviour of the administration and those concerned in this regard was desirable.โ
Stating that the indigenous peoples have the right to a protected and safe life as recognised by the constitution as citizens of this country, Dr. Iftekhar said: “To ensure justice for the victims of all violent incidents, including rape, we must rise above discrimination and group-based oppressive practices and ensure judicial investigation and exemplary punishment by identifying those involved. Otherwise, it is not possible to prevent the recurrence of such incidents. At the same time, the administration and those concerned must also be held accountable. Their failure to take effective steps considering the situation is also visible.
“We believe that the ability to play a central role in establishing peace in the Chittagong Hill Tracts is primarily in the hands of the Bangladesh Army, which has earned a reputation for peacekeeping in different parts of the world. We hope that the Army, through timely and positive utilisation of this ability, will take effective initiatives to establish rights-based peace for the indigenous people in this region and strive to play a role equivalent to their commendable achievements at the global level.”
Meanwhile, the Ganatantrik Odhikar Committee has alleged that the army- and Jamaat-backed interim government is not acting in any sensitive and responsible manner to restore a democratic environment in the hills.
A general meeting of the committee was held at the Paribagh Cultural Development Centre in the capital on Sunday. The meeting was attended by Professor Anu Muhammad, member of the Democratic Rights Committee, physician Harun Ur Rashid, researcher Mahtab Uddin Ahmed, political activist Baki Billah, cultural activist Ekram Hossain, independent filmmaker Sajeeb Tanvir, leader of the Democratic Students’ Alliance Rafiquzzaman Farid, Sayedul Haque and others.
The meeting demanded justice for the attacks on the indigenous people in the hills in Khagrachhari. In addition, it demanded a speedy investigation and trial of the incidents of rape, vandalism and coercion in the hills and plains across the country. At the same time, concerns were expressed about human rights violations in different parts of the country.
A press release from the committee said that speakers at the general meeting said that the hill communities protested on the night of September 23, demanding justice for the gang rape of an eighth-grade Marma student in Khagrachhari. The situation was destabilised by attacking the just movement of the people and forcibly arresting the protesters. In continuation of this, after the imposition of Section 144 at 2pm on September 27, attacks began on various neighbourhoods of the hill indigenous people.
The speakers opined that there is no alternative to ensuring a democratic environment in the hills. The statement said: “But we have seen that the interim government is not acting in any sensitive and responsible manner in restoring a democratic environment in the hills.”
The meeting also called on the government to take effective steps to ensure the protection of all religious institutions, including shrines and temples and the freedom of religion, opinion and movement of people.
The statement said that the committee is sending a delegation to Khagrachhari to investigate the rape of a student from the Marma community. The delegation will go to Khagrachhari on Tuesday. In addition, the platform will hold a meeting in Chittagong on October 11 to exchange views on the situation in the country.
Bangladesh Udichi Shilpi Gosthi strongly condemned and protested the attack on the indigenous people protesting for justice for the rape of the Marma teenager in Khagrachhari, and the arson attacks on their houses and shops.
In a press release on Sunday, the organisation’s acting president, Mahmud Selim, and General Secretary Amit Ranjan Dey described the incident as barbaric, inhumane and a gross violation of human rights. They demanded the immediate arrest of those involved in the incident and ensured exemplary punishment.
Udichi leaders said that the attack on the peaceful movement of indigenous people protesting rape, demanding justice, and human dignity is not only a denial of democratic rights but also creates racial discrimination. As a result, long-term insecurity is being created in the lives of indigenous people, which is also a threat to the democratic environment of the country.
The statement further said that all those involved in the attacks on homes and businesses and the rape of women should be arrested and given exemplary punishment. The families affected by the attacks should be provided with urgent rehabilitation, medical treatment and compensation. In addition, the government was urged to take urgent steps to ensure the safety of the lives of the indigenous peoples in the hills and plains and to stop communal violence.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Mahila Parishad expressed deep concern and anger over the attack by law enforcement agencies on a rally protesting the gang rape of a Marma girl in Khagrachhari.
Terming such behaviour a violation of fundamental rights, the organisation said that the tactic of creating a conflict situation and avoiding justice for the girl is condemnable and unacceptable.
In a statement, Mahila Parishad President Fawzia Moslem and General Secretary Maleka Banu said that the ethnically diverse women and girls in the Hill Tracts are in extreme insecurity. Any biased or unfair behaviour that undermines the people’s trust in the state forces is creating obstacles in the country’s progress. Every citizen of Bangladesh has the right to security, dignity and justice. No matter where he lives, no matter what ethnicity or community he belongs to.
They requested the government to take necessary measures and stop attacks and torture on the hill people, and ensure proper medical treatment and safety of those injured in the attacks.
At the same time, the statement called on the government and civil society to play an active role in maintaining law and order in the CHT and ensuring the safety of all citizens.
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