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| Sunday, 19 January 2003 |
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Amnesty urges Bangladesh to scrap army indemnity order DHAKA, Saturday (AFP) Amnesty International on Friday urged Bangladesh to scrap a decree indemnifying soldiers in an anti-crime crackdown that the human rights group says has resulted in 40 deaths. "Amnesty International is deeply concerned that the Bangladeshi government's recent decision to issue an 'indemnity ordinance' will lead to a climate of impunity in the country," it said in a statement. The decree gives armed forces immunity from prosecution for involvement in "any casualty, damage to life and property, violation of rights, physical or mental damage" between the start of the crackdown in October and January 9. "Between October and January at least 40 people died after their arrest and alleged torture in army custody," Amnesty said. "The ordinance means that no army personnel can be investigated or brought to justice for these deaths. This is unacceptable." The government has confirmed only 12 deaths and says all the victims died in hospital of heart attacks after being handed over to police. It has also denied the alleged torture. Nearly 11,000 people have been arrested and more than 2,000 weapons, including AK-47 assault rifles, seized during the crackdown. Prime Minister Khaleda Zia last year ordered the army to join the anti-crime drive after admitting her Islamist-allied coalition had not fulfilled its promises to end violence during its first year in power. She approved the indemnity ordinance last week and it was immediately signed by President Iajuddin Ahmed. Law Minister Moudud Ahmed has said the ordinance would be placed in the form of a bill in the next session of parliament. Amnesty said the government of Bangladesh had indicated with the decree that it was not willing to respect its obligations under international conventions that protect human rights and are against torture. "The government of Bangladesh should withdraw the ordinance and should not put it before parliament for debate," the London-based rights group said. "If the ordinance is brought before parliament for debate on 26 January, Amnesty International hopes that all members of parliament will rise to this human rights challenge and refrain from enacting it as law." Amnesty repeated its call for the government to establish an independent investigation into the alleged deaths in custody and bring to justice those responsible. |
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