On February 28th 2013, street protests erupted in Bangladesh, following the death sentence delivered against Delwar Hossain Sayedee by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) – a national court set up to prosecute those responsible for atrocities committed during the country’s war of independence in 1971. These violent protests have, to date, caused the death of at least 98 persons in Bangladesh, including women and children and attacks against minorities, particularly Hindus.
On the basis of investigations and information provided by Odhikar, its Bangladeshi member organisation, FIDH issued recommendations to the European Parliament, regarding the means to put an end to the serious human rights breaches and the atmosphere of violence in the country. These recommendations have been taken into account by Members of the European Parliament.
Indeed, in a resolution adopted on Thursday March 14th, the European Parliament expressed its deep concern “about the recent outbreak of violence in Bangladesh following the ICT verdicts and expresses its sorrow at the recent casualties.” Moreover, members of Parliament emphasised their “strong opposition to use of the death penalty in all cases and under any circumstances” reacting upon the recent death sentences pronounced by the ICT.
Besides, the Parliament urged “all political leaders in the country to de-escalate political tensions in order to avoid further violence” and called on “all political parties in Bangladesh to enter into dialogue with each other”. Finally, the European Parliament strongly condemned “the violence of Jamaat-e-Islami supporters and affiliated parties” towards “religious and ethnic minorities.”