URGENT APPEAL IMMEDIATE RELEASE
From: Global Human Rights Defense (GHRD)
To: The United Nations, Governments, and the International Community
Subject: Immediate Action Needed to Address Violent Attacks on Religious Minorities in Bangladesh
Date: August 8, 2024
The Global Human Rights Defense (GHRD) is deeply disturbed and gravely concerned by the recent wave of violent attacks targeting religious minorities across Bangladesh. These deplorable incidents, which have involved the destruction of homes, places of worship, and businesses belonging to Hindu, Ahmadiyya, and other minority communities, represent a grave violation of human rights and a serious threat to the principles of tolerance, diversity, and peaceful coexistence.
The scale and brutality of these attacks, as reported in credible media sources, are truly alarming. Innocent individuals and families have suffered immense trauma, personal injuries, displacement, and the loss of their livelihoods and property. These acts of violence not only inflict deep suffering on the victims but also undermine the very foundations of a democratic, pluralistic society.
GHRD calls upon the United Nations, governments, and the international community to take immediate and decisive action to address this critical situation. We urge the following:
- Initiate an Independent, Transparent Investigation: The United Nations must immediately launch an independent, impartial investigation into these incidents to identify the perpetrators, their motives, and any systemic issues that have enabled such violence to occur.
- Ensure Accountability and Exemplary Punishment: Those responsible for orchestrating or participating in these attacks must be swiftly identified and held accountable through rigorous legal processes. Exemplary punishment must be imposed to deter future violence and send a clear message that such acts will not be tolerated.
- Provide Compensation and Support for Victims: The affected communities and individuals must receive adequate compensation for the damages suffered, including financial restitution for property losses, medical care for injuries, and support for those who have been displaced.
- Restore Security and Prevent Further Attacks: Immediate steps must be taken to halt the ongoing violence and restore a secure environment for religious minority communities. Robust security measures and the deployment of necessary resources must be prioritized to protect vulnerable populations and prevent further attacks.
- Promote Tolerance, Dialogue, and Coexistence: Long-term initiatives must be implemented to foster a culture of tolerance, mutual understanding, and peaceful coexistence among different religious and ethnic groups. This should include education programs, community dialogues, and the strengthening of interfaith platforms to bridge divides and prevent the recurrence of such atrocities.
The international community has a moral and ethical responsibility to respond swiftly and decisively to this crisis. Failure to do so would not only betray the fundamental human rights of the affected communities but also undermine the global efforts to build a more just, equitable, and harmonious world.
GHRD stands in solidarity with the victims and calls upon all stakeholders to take immediate and effective action to ensure that justice is served, security is restored, and the principles of tolerance and coexistence are upheld.
Sincerely,
Sradhanand Sital
Chairman
Global Human Rights Defense (GHRD)
