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2009-2013: A Regime of Brutal
Oppression on Jamaat and Shibir
2009-2013: A Black Regime of Brutal
Oppression on Jamaat and Shibir inBan ladesh
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Table of Contents
Executive Summary...................................................................................................................... 5
Introduction................................................................................................................................... 6
War Crime Trial: A Program for Judicial Killings................................................................... 7Skype-gate Scandal ................................................................................................................... 10
Unjustifiable Demands of Shahbagh ........................................................................................ 12
Prime Ministers Comment on Trial .......................................................................................... 13
Post-Trial Amendment of Law ................................................................................................. 15
Abduction of Defence Witness ................................................................................................. 17
Hanging of Quader Molla.......................................................................................................... 19
Attacks on Political Activities.................................................................................................... 22
Cancellation of Registration of Jamaat ......................................................................................... 22
Arrest from Independence Day Rally ........................................................................................... 25
Attack on Jamaat Program in Comilla .......................................................................................... 26
Attack of 19 September ................................................................................................................ 27
Police Attack in Hospital! ......................................................................................................... 28
Countrywide Mass-Arrest ......................................................................................................... 28
Police Attacks and Arrests ........................................................................................................ 28
Ruling Party Attacks ................................................................................................................. 31
6 February 2013: Violence in Hartal ............................................................................................ 33
Attacks on Jamaat-Shibir Offices ................................................................................................. 34
Police Attack in Dhaka ................................................................................................................. 35
Police Attack in Sylhet.................................................................................................................. 37
Police Attack in Bogra .................................................................................................................. 38
Shibir: Victim of Campus Violence........................................................................................... 38
BCL Violence in Islamic University............................................................................................. 38BCL-men Shoot on Shibir in Daylight ..................................................................................... 42
Arrests and Torture.................................................................................................................... 42
Top Jamaat Leaders Arrested ........................................................................................................ 42
ATM Azharul Islam and Tasnim Alam .................................................................................... 44
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Professor Mujibur Rahman ....................................................................................................... 44
AKM Nazir Ahmad and Hamidur Rahman Azad ..................................................................... 45
Principal Izzat Ullah ................................................................................................................. 46
Dr. Abdullah M Taher............................................................................................................... 47
Arrest of Rafiqul Islam ............................................................................................................. 48
Sting Operation & Torture on Students ........................................................................................ 50
Delawar Hossain: A Popular Young Leader Made Half Paralyzed .............................................. 51
6 Shibir Activist Arrested ............................................................................................................. 53
Arrest of 20 Female Activists of Jamaat ....................................................................................... 54
Arrest of RU Shibir Secretary ....................................................................................................... 55
Killings......................................................................................................................................... 56
RU Shibir Secretary Nomani Killed by BCL ............................................................................... 56
3 Shibir Activists Killed in 2010 .................................................................................................. 57
Hafizur Rahman Shahin ............................................................................................................ 58
Mohiuddin Masum .................................................................................................................... 60
Harunur Rashid Kaisar .............................................................................................................. 62
Two Jamaat Activist Killed .......................................................................................................... 64
Killing of Abdullah Al Monju ...................................................................................................... 65
Killing of Masud Bin Habib and Mujahidul Islam ....................................................................... 66Shibir-man killed in Dinajpur ....................................................................................................... 66
Shibir-man killed in Police Custody ............................................................................................. 67
Jamaat Leader killed by Police-fire .............................................................................................. 67
Shibir Leader killed in Crossfire at Rajshahi............................................................................. 67
Murder and Attack on Shibir during General Strike ..................................................................... 68
Killing of Mujahid .................................................................................................................... 68
The Mirpur Attack .................................................................................................................... 69
Police Killing after Quader Molla Judgment ................................................................................ 72
5 February: 4 Killed in Chittagong ........................................................................................... 72
15 February: 4 Killed ................................................................................................................ 74
16 February: 1 Killed in Sylhet ................................................................................................. 76
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18 February: 1 Killed in Comilla .............................................................................................. 76
23 February: 2 Killed in Pabna ................................................................................................. 77
Mass Murder after Sayedee Judgement ........................................................................................ 77
28 February Countrywide Violence .......................................................................................... 77
Thakurgoan: 7 Killed ................................................................................................................ 78
Noakhali: 4 Killed ..................................................................................................................... 78
Satkhira: 12 Killed .................................................................................................................... 79
Rangpur: 7 Killed ...................................................................................................................... 79
Natore: 1 Killed......................................................................................................................... 81
Chapainawabganj: 2 Killed ....................................................................................................... 82
Chittagong: 2 Killed .................................................................................................................. 82
Moulvibazar: 1 Killed ............................................................................................................... 82
Dinajpur: 1 Killed ..................................................................................................................... 83
Killings after Molla Execution...................................................................................................... 85
Enforced Disappearances........................................................................................................... 90
Jamaat Leader Missing in Rajshahi .......................................................................................... 91
Disappearance of Al Mukaddas ................................................................................................ 91
Recommendations....................................................................................................................... 92
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2009-2013: A Regime of Brutal Oppression on Jamaat and Shibir
Executive Summary
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir have been victims of brutal
suppression throughout the five year tenure (2009-2013) of the current Awami League led
government. Trigger happy police as well as ruling party men have killed hundreds of Jamaat-
Shibir activists. Thousands of activists of Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Chhatra Shibir were
arrested without credible charges during the period. The judiciary and the administration were
nakedly used to persecute people belonging to these organisations.
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Introduction
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami (BJI) is a political party aiming to establish a just society1 as
enunciated in Islam through democratic process2. On the other hand, Bangladesh Islami Chhatra
Shibir (BICS), established in 1977, is one of the largest student organizations of the country. It
shares the same democratic Islamist ideology as Jamaat. Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami is one of
two main Bangladeshi opposition parties and a constant thorn in the side of the ruling Awami
League. Jamaat enjoys considerable support throughout Bangladesh.3The party was originally
established in undivided British India in 1941. Arguably the largest Islamist organisation in the
sub-continent, Jamaat, started its journey on Aug 26, 1941 under the leadership of Syed Abul
Ala Moududi with the name Jamaat-e-Islami Hind. After the partition of India in 1947, its
greater stream moved to Pakistan. It was briefly banned in Pakistan in 1964 for opposing the
Muslim Family Act. In 1976, the ban was lifted and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami started its
activities as a new party and participated in all democratic movements along with other parties. It
has been participating in local and national elections ever since and secured membership
positions in every Parliament.
Since the beginning of this government in 2009, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and Bangladesh
Islami Chhatra Shibir have been facing violent and fatal attacks from the ruling party and state
agencies. The human rights of the members of these two organisations have been consistently
denied. The administration was very open and brutal in the suppression of BJI and BICS.
1Section 3(4) of the Charter of Jamaat. See
http://www.jamaat-e-islami.org/en/articlepdf/108_Jamaat%20Constitution-2008.pdf2Sections 3(3) 6(4) and 4(3) of the Charter of Jamaat.
3http://edition.cnn.com/2013/08/01/world/asia/bangladesh-islamist-verdict
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Many activists of Jamaat and Shibir have been heinous victim of the envy of ruling Govt. They
have been victims of brutal attack of police and ruthless suppressing behavior of law-enforcing
agencies. Repeated attacks, tortures in custody, filing malicious cases and attacking opposition
leaders with little credible charge are some of the most serious allegations brought against the
current government. In the last 5 years, the series of violations of human rights committed
against BJI and Shibir have reached to an alarming level.
Leaders of Jamaat were either murdered, or put to death sentence in name of trial where no
judicial guarantees were ensured. Arrested leaders were subject to inhuman tortures, making
them unable to move their body parts. Many leaders of Jamaat and Shibir were abducted by plain
clothed people and remain missing ever since. This report focuses on some of the major
instances of oppression and violations of human rights committed against Jamaat and Shibir
during the period between 2009 and 2013.
War Crimes Trial: A Program for Judicial Killings
After coming to the power in 2008 with the help of the army backed caretaker government,
Awami League leaders started to propagate that they will prosecute Jamaat leaders for war
crimes committed in 1971. Before even forming the tribunal and appointing the investigators and
prosecutors, the Awami League leaders publicly declared all top Jamaat-e-Islami leaders in the
list of war criminals.The government on March 25 formed the tribunal, prosecution panel and
the investigation agency to try war crimes committed during the 1971 War of Independence. In a
20-minute hearing on 19 July 2010, the International Crimes Tribunal issued arrest warrants
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against Jamaat-e-Islami top leaders, including BJI chief Motiur Rahman Nizami, its Secretary
General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid and executive member Allama Delawar Hossain
Sayedee.
Previously on 29th June 2010, the Police had already arrested Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer (Chief)
Motiur Rahman Nizami, its Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid, and Nayebe
Ameer (Deputy Chief) Maulana Delawar Hossain Sayedee on charges of hurting Muslim
religious sentiments (CR 1012/12).4 Jaamat Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mujahid and Nayebe
Ameer (Vice-President) Maolana Delwar Hossian Sayedee alleged that they were tortured
continuously for nine days during remand period and could not take rest due to the police-torture
in custody.5
Formar Ameer of BJI Professor Golam Azam (89) was arrested on 11 January 2012 on charges
of alleged war crime. In compliance with the ICTs direction, Azam appeared before the tribunal
and prayed for bail on medical and humanitarian grounds. His bailed petition was rejected
without considering his age and poor health condition.
6
The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT)
rejected the bail petition and ordered him to be sent to jail on charges of involvement in crimes
against humanity during the 1971 Liberation War.
4The case is a vexatious one which should have been out rightly stricken out or summarily rejected. It was alleged
in the case that Mr. Rafiqul Islam Khan (Rafiq) compared Nizami with the Prophet (SAW) which Nizami, Sayeedy
and Mujahid applauded and appreciated. h5The Daily Nayadiganta, 11/07/2010
6http://theindependentbd.com/paper-edition/frontpage/129-frontpage/89392-golam-azam-arrested-sent-to-
jail.html
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The present trial of war crime has been criticised by various institutions as biased and targeted to
have political vengeance rather than securing justice. All the witnesses so far produced before
the tribunal has made incredible and contradictory statements against the accused leaders of BJI.7
The government had promised to meet international standards in these trials, but it has been far
away from meeting this commitment. Unfortunately the present trial of war crime has been
severely criticised by various institutions as biased and targeted to have political vengeance
rather than securing justice.
The law governing this trial is very controversial and it fails to meet internationally recognised
norms of human rights and procedural fairness.8 International community has also been vocal
about the political nature of the trial resulting in serious bias against the defence, including
admitting witness statement without producing them for cross-examination, not taking any action
against the perjury of the prosecution, abducting defence witnesses from the tribunal gate,9
harassment of the defence counsels,10
and consistent denial of almost every defence application
by the tribunal.
Among the other concerns regarding fairness of these trials are secret collusion a judge with
outsiders, the courts compulsive judgment of death sentence amid pressure created by protesters
and the Prime Minister and the unprecedented application of retroactive criminal law in order to
increase punishment of an accused.
7See more: http://bangladeshwarcrimes.blogspot.com/
8http://www.hrw.org/news/2011/07/11/bangladesh-guarantee-fair-trials-independence-era-crimes
9http://www.hrw.org/news/2012/11/13/bangladesh-investigate-alleged-abduction-war-crimes-witness
10http://www.hrw.org/news/2012/10/17/bangladesh-end-harassment-war-crimes-defense-counsel
http://www.hrw.org/news/2012/11/13/bangladesh-investigate-alleged-abduction-war-crimes-witnesshttp://www.hrw.org/news/2012/11/13/bangladesh-investigate-alleged-abduction-war-crimes-witnesshttp://www.hrw.org/news/2012/11/13/bangladesh-investigate-alleged-abduction-war-crimes-witnesshttp://www.hrw.org/news/2012/11/13/bangladesh-investigate-alleged-abduction-war-crimes-witness8/12/2019 2009-2013: A Black Regime of Brutal Oppression on Jamaat and Shibir in Bangladesh
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Skype-gate Scandal
The Chairman of the International Crimes Tribunal would regularly talk over internet with a
Brussels based lawyers with matters relating to the trial. The conversations were published in
various media including the London based the Economist. The communications reveal a secret
collusion taking place between private individuals and the former Chair of this Tribunal, Justice
Nizamul Hoque Nasim. The files show how Hoque Nasim was bypassing due process and the
rule of law by colluding with Ahmed Ziauddin based in Brussels and Rayhan Rashid in
Oxford. Many court documents including the final formal charge and draft judgement of Sayedee
case were prepared by Ziauddin and the former tribunal chairman did not perform his judicial
work independently. On 11 December 2012 the Judge in question resigned amid controversy,11
but on 2 January 2013, the International Crimes Tribunal 1 has rejected all the defence
applications for the retrial of the cases.12
During the trial, the Chairman of the Tribunal Justice Nizamul Haq had been discussing the
matters of the trial with Ahmed Ziauddin, a lawyer of Bangladeshi origins based in Belgium by
emails and online conversations using Skype. The conversations have raised serious concerns of
a miscarriage of justice affecting the individual defendants and flawed process of the tribunal. 17
hours of recorded conversations and over 230 e-mails between the two men eventually got
leaked in the internet13
which cast serious allegation regarding the court proceedings and his role
as a judge.
11http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=260836
12http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=263749
13See www.bdictunveiled.com
http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=260836http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=260836http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=260836http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=263749http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=263749http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=263749http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=263749http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=2608368/12/2019 2009-2013: A Black Regime of Brutal Oppression on Jamaat and Shibir in Bangladesh
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The communications show Justice Nasim worked improperly with Mr. Ahmed, who has been co-
operating with the prosecution also. And in Mr Sayeedis case it points to the possibility that,
even before the court had finished hearing testimony from the defence witnesses, Mr Nizamul
was already expecting a guilty verdict.14
The Tribunal was not free and independence from the executive branch of the state which
violates the principle of separation of power. One of the conversations suggests the tribunal came
under political pressure to speed proceedings up, even though Bangladesh guarantees the
independence of the judiciary. In a conversation of October 14th, between Mr Nizamul and
Ahmed Ziauddin, the judge refers to the government as absolutely crazy for a judgment. The
government has gone totally mad. They have gone completely mad, I am telling you. They want a
judgment by 16th December...its as simple as that.15
On November 8th 2011 Mr. Ziauddin e-mailed Mr Nizamul a list of matters raised by a defence
petition that the judge recuse himself from the trial. The first five items on the list are materials
and documents that, the e-mail says, were to be supplied to Mr Nizamul by Zead-al-Malum, one
of the top prosecutors at the tribunal.16
This showed that, the prosecutor is being asked to help by
someone who is also advising the judge.
14http://www.economist.com/news/briefing/21568349-week-chairman-bangladeshs-international-crimes-
tribunal-resigned-we-explain15
http://www.economist.com/news/briefing/21568349-week-chairman-bangladeshs-international-crimes-
tribunal-resigned-we-explain?zid=306&ah=1b164dbd43b0cb27ba0d4c3b12a5e22716
http://www.economist.com/news/briefing/21568349-week-chairman-bangladeshs-international-crimes-
tribunal-resigned-we-explain?zid=306&ah=1b164dbd43b0cb27ba0d4c3b12a5e227
http://www.economist.com/news/briefing/21568349-week-chairman-bangladeshs-international-crimes-tribunal-resigned-we-explain?zid=306&ah=1b164dbd43b0cb27ba0d4c3b12a5e227http://www.economist.com/news/briefing/21568349-week-chairman-bangladeshs-international-crimes-tribunal-resigned-we-explain?zid=306&ah=1b164dbd43b0cb27ba0d4c3b12a5e227http://www.economist.com/news/briefing/21568349-week-chairman-bangladeshs-international-crimes-tribunal-resigned-we-explain?zid=306&ah=1b164dbd43b0cb27ba0d4c3b12a5e227http://www.economist.com/news/briefing/21568349-week-chairman-bangladeshs-international-crimes-tribunal-resigned-we-explain?zid=306&ah=1b164dbd43b0cb27ba0d4c3b12a5e227http://www.economist.com/news/briefing/21568349-week-chairman-bangladeshs-international-crimes-tribunal-resigned-we-explain?zid=306&ah=1b164dbd43b0cb27ba0d4c3b12a5e227http://www.economist.com/news/briefing/21568349-week-chairman-bangladeshs-international-crimes-tribunal-resigned-we-explain?zid=306&ah=1b164dbd43b0cb27ba0d4c3b12a5e2278/12/2019 2009-2013: A Black Regime of Brutal Oppression on Jamaat and Shibir in Bangladesh
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International Crimes Tribunal Judges were not in a position to exercise judicial power
independently according to dictates of law and justice. As the conversation shows, a new judge
Mr. Jahangir was told only to say yes to whatever the Chaiman says in the court.
Nasim: No, there will be no problem. Because he (Mr. Jahangir) has been told, whatever
the Chairman says, you just say Yes.17
Unjustifiable Demands of Shahbagh
On February 5, 2013, after the International Crimes Tribunal sentenced Abdul Quader Mollah to
life, a sit in movement in Shahbagh began on that day demanding capital punishment for Abdul
Quader Mollah and other leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami for alleged crimes against humanity during
the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. The protesters called the sentence too lenient, so they
started protests and demonstrations and demanded the death penalty for Mollah as the only
acceptable punishment. Later the demands widened to ban the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami party
and other religious based parties from politics. Members of the ruling party led by Dr. Imran H
Sarkar joined the protest and took control of it.
Shahbagh protesters demanded the death penalty for all accused in ICT regardless the merit of
cases. This put the Tribunal under a great pressure. The Shahbagh leaders vowed to ensure the
death penalty of detained Jamaat leaders, banning religion based politics, forfeiting the
citizenship of Jamaat supporters and boycotting institutions and press that belong to the
opposition.
18
17www.dailysangram.com/news_details.php?news_id=103812
18http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=268449
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It is the right of every accused person that they should be tried according to the law and the
evidence presented before the court. Only the punishment determined by dictates of justice based
on proven facts can be imposed on a convicted person. But the Shahbagh movement
unjustifiably demanded death penalty for all accused persons irrespective of merit of the cases.
The demand is a direct threat to the independence of judiciary as it puts the judges under a great
pressure to deliver the judgment acceptable to protesting mobs.
The Shahbaghs call to ban Jamaats politics and to cancel the citizenship of its members violates
the basic human rights and peoples constitutional freedom to be member of any political party.
The demand to cancel citizenship is outrageous to the dignity of people of Bangladesh whose
right to citizenship is recognised in every human rights instrument.
The Shahbag movements call caused agitation throughout the country. Various demands of the
Shahbag were met by the govt in the following days. Death sentence was pronounced in the
subsequent cases of ICT. Editor of Amar Desh Mr. Mahmudur Rahman was arrested. Diganta
Television was shut down by govt. Activists of Jamaat and Shibir become subjects of violent
attack resulting in the deaths of more than 150 people and injury of thousands.
Prime Ministers Comment on Trial
On 11 February 2013, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urged the International Crimes Tribunal to
take into consideration the demands of people19
instead of just law and facts. She said in a point
of order speech delivered in Parliament that her govt were in complete agreement with the
Shahbagh movement, and that the judges should deliver judgement according to the demand of
19http://www.mzamin.com/details.php?nid=NDIyMTk=&ty=MA==&s=MTg=&c=MQ==
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the Shahbagh protesters. She further said that every word of the vows taken by Shahbagh
protesters were reasonable and her govt would do everything necessary to implement their
vows. Sheikh Hasina said that all members of Parliament were agreed to the memorandum
delivered by Shahbagh leaders. Other MPs also agreed to the demand that the right to do politics
should be taken away from Jamaat and Shibir.20
Government-supported protests and the comments of the prime minister and other government
and Awami League officials affected the possibility of fair trials in the Tribunals. Judges were
afraid to give any sentence other than the death penalty in the subsequent cases. The government
pressure on the court previously revealed the Skype conversations became stronger after the
Prime Ministers statement. Her endorsement of the unjustifiable demands of Shahbagh mob had
put the Tribunals in an insurmountable pressure to which the judges were compelled to yield.
On February 27, 2013 the tribunal convicted Delwar Hossain Sayeedi for 8 out of 20 charges of
war crimes and sentenced him to death despite widespread criticism about the biased process and
political nature of the case. Later on May 9, Jamaat leader Qamaruzzaman was also sentenced to
death by the Tribunal in another weak case. It was obvious that the demand of Shahbagh
protesters and Awami League leaders have left the judges with little choice other than judgments
of death penalty. Right groups such as Human Rights Watch have confirmed that some defense
witnesses have decided not to appear in court, fearing reprisals after the Shahbagh protest.21
20http://www.mzamin.com/details.php?nid=NDIyMTk=&ty=MA==&s=MTg=&c=MQ==
21http://www.hrw.org/news/2013/02/14/bangladesh-post-trial-amendments-taint-war-crimes-process
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Post-Trial Amendment of Law
In the second verdict, announced on February 5, the ICT convicted Quader Mollah, a leading
member of Jamaat, on five out of six counts and sentenced him to life in prison. He was
acquitted on one count of murder. Government officials, members of the ruling Awami League
party, and Shahbagh protesters reacted with outrage that Mollah was not sentenced to death. But
under section 21 of the International Crimes (Tribunal) Act 1973, the prosecution can appeal
against an acquittal order, not against a sentence. So the govt could not apply for a death
sentence of Quader Mollah under existing law.
The government responded to the mob demands by proposing amendments to the ICT law,
allowing the prosecution to appeal the sentence, and decreasing the time for an appeal to be
completed. On February 14, the draft amendment was offered in parliament and was approved on
February 17. Until this verdict, the prosecution was only allowed to appeal if the accused was
acquitted, and 90 days were allowed for appeals.
Section 21 was substituted by section 3 of the International Crimes (Tribunals) (Amendment)
Act, 2013 (Act No. III of 2013) and the new section is amended as follows:
21. (1) A person convicted of any crime specified in section 3 and sentenced by a
Tribunal may appeal, as of right, to the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of
Bangladesh against such conviction and sentence.22
The amendment, though passed on 17thFebruary 2013, was given effect from 14thJuly, 2009, the
day the trials of war crime had begun. So it is a retrospective criminal legislation specifically
22http://bdlaws.minlaw.gov.bd/print_sections.php?id=435&vol=§ions_id=12497
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made in order to meet the illegal demands of the Shahbagh protesters for death sentence of
Quader Mollah.
The government has preferred an appeal to the Appellate Division of Supreme Court of
Bangladesh against acquittal of Quader Mollah in relation to one offense; and sentences of
imprisonment in relation to five offences for which Mollah was convicted. On the other hand, an
appeal from Quader Mollah has sought an acquittal on all charges. During the appeal, the
Appellate Division has asked the prosecution to present a single precedent in the whole world
where changed law was made applicable to an accused after the passing of the sentence. The
prosecution could not come up with a single precedent or authority in reply to this query of the
court, yet they kept claiming that the amended article was applicable to Quader Mollah. Justice
Abdul Owahab Mia pointed out that it is mentioned in the section that the trial of proceeding is
going on. This is the most important and serious. It is proved that it is not applicable for Abdul
Quader Mullah.23
The amended article goes against the spirit of the constitution of Bangladesh. Under the
constitution of Bangladesh, it is illegal to punish a person under any retroactive law. Article 35
(1) of the Constitution states that: no person shall be convicted of any offence except for violation
of a law in force at the time of the commission of the act charged as an offence, nor be subjected
to a penalty greater than, or different from, that which might have been inflicted under the law in
force at the time of the commission of the offence.24
23http://www.jamaat-e-islami.org/en/newsdetails.php?nid=OTIx
24Article 35, Constitution of Bangladesh,
http://bdlaws.minlaw.gov.bd/sections_detail.php?id=367§ions_id=24583
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The retroactive legislation that violates fair trial standards undermines the legitimacy of the work
of Bangladeshs International Crimes Tribunal (ICT). The amendments were offered to enable an
appeals court to overturn a life sentence imposed on Abdul Qader Mollah and impose the death
penalty amid demands of supporters of the ruling party.
International organisations have been vocal about the violation of human rights caused by
imposing retroactive criminal law Quader Mollah. Human Rights Watch has said in a statement
that a government supposedly guided by the rule of law cannot simply pass retroactive laws to
overrule court decisions when it doesnt like them. The Bangladesh government should pause,
take a deep breath, and repeal the proposed amendments, which make a mockery of the trial
process. Instead of explaining to the public that the separation of powers and the rule of law
mean accepting the decision of the courts, the government has now directly intervened in the trial
process, Adams said. Convictions of those responsible for the 1971 atrocities is important for
the country, but not at the expense of the principles that make Bangladesh a democracy.25
Abduction of Defence Witness
The Bangladesh International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has again been at the centre of scandal
following the abduction of a defence witness by plain-clothes policemen on 5 November 2012.26
Shukho Ranjan Bali had been in the car of senior defence counsel, Mizanul Islam, along with
other members of the defence counsel en route to the ICT on November 5th to testify for the
accused Allama Delwar Hossain Sayedee. At the entrance of the tribunal, the car was stopped
and uniformed police informed those inside that they had instructions to only admit designated
25Ibid.
26http://www.opendemocracy.net/opensecurity/mahin-khan/from-transitional-justice-mechanism-to-
monumental-revenge-bangladesh-interna
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defence lawyers. Meanwhile, men in plain clothes approached the car and abducted Bali, amidst
protests from Islam and others, while the uniformed policemen merely looked on unperturbed
and unmoved by calls for aid. The plain clothes men identified themselves as members of the
Detective Branch and proceeded to bundle away the distressed Bali into a van of Bangladeshs
infamous Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), a body condemned by Human Rights Watch for extra-
judicial killings and torture.27
In response to Balis abduction, chief defence counsel, Barrister Abdur Razzaq, petitioned the
tribunal to address the issue and take due measures, particularly given the likelihood of the
prosecuting bodys complicity in theabduction. Bali had initially been enlisted as a prosecution
witness who failed to appear in court, and the prosecution had presented what they stated was a
written testimony from him in absentia. Soon after, however, Bali appeared in the media stating
Idid not want to give any false witness. Just I have to tell the truth what I know. Thereafter he
decided to become a witness for the defence, the second such witness to do so.
Rather than immediately ordering an impartial investigation, the court asked the prosecution
itself to look into the allegations and later accepted its statement that the event was entirely false.
At this, the defence counsel boycotted the tribunal for a day in protest. In response, the Tribunal
held the defence in contempt of court, barring the entry of defence counsel, Tajul Islam, into
court until November 22. Mizanul Islam also attempted to file a complaint with the relevant
police agency, Shahbagh Police Station, but the branch refused to file the complaint or give an
explanation for their refusal. Meanwhile, the prosecution has accused the defence of propaganda,
paradoxically claiming Mr Bali is hiding due to intimidation from the defence counsel. None of
27http://bangladeshwarcrimes.blogspot.com/2012/11/abduction-of-defense-witness-outside.html
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the many who witnessed the abductionfrom the police to the lawyers and driver have been
questioned. Amidst the furore, and largely ignored by the Bangladeshi media, the chairman of
the ICT, Justice Nizamul Huq, made the incredible declaration that no member of the ICT
defence counsel will be permitted to see their clients, the accused, anymore.28
Hanging of Quader Molla
Abdul Quader Molla, a top leader of opposition Islamist party Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, was
hanged by the Awami League led government on 12 December 2013 at 10.01 pm at Dhaka
Central Jail.
29
The execution took place despite objections made by the United Nations
30
, United
Kingdom31
, Turkey, Australia, European Union32
and other Human rights organizations like
Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International etc.
Abdul Quader Molla Assistant secretary-general of the Bangladesh
Jamaat-e-Islami.
Former executive editor of The DailySangram,
Former teacher of Rifles Public School andCollege, Udayan High School, Manarat
International School etc.33
28
http://www.opendemocracy.net/opensecurity/mahin-khan/from-transitional-justice-mechanism-to-monumental-revenge-bangladesh-interna29
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-2535603430
http://www.dhakatribune.com/foreign-affairs/2013/dec/12/int%E2%80%99l-community-opposes-
molla%E2%80%99s-execution31
http://newagebd.com/detail.php?date=2013-12-11&nid=76332#.UqrsYCdYU1t32
http://newagebd.com/detail.php?date=2013-12-11&nid=76332#.UqrsYCdYU1t33
http://www.amardeshonline.com/pages/printnews/2013/02/06/186543
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The hanging was in execution of a death sentence given by the Appellate Division of the
Supreme Court in a trial that has failed to maintain minimum level of fairness. The Supreme
Court judgment was incompatible with international principles of fair trial and human rights. The
Appellate Division of the Supreme Court increased his sentence from life imprisonment to death
following an appeal by the government against a judgment of the International Crimes Tribunal-
2.
Shortly before Mr. Molla was hanged, his eldest son, Hasan Jamil, said his father's execution was
a "political killing." The Jamaat-e-Islami said in a statement the government had "murdered Mr.
Abdul Quader Molla in a preplanned way, ignoring pleas from the international community and
human rights organizations." The statement called on Jamaat supporters to exercise restraint.34
The judgments of both the trial and appellate have found the accused guilty based on
uncorroborated hearsay evidence and contradictory testimony. The defences pleas of alibi and
other application was unreasonably rejected showing a clear bias against the accused. The
Tribunal repeatedly deviated from recognized judicial norms and principles of fair trial in order
to reach a verdict of conviction by any means.
On 5 February, the International Crimes Tribunal convicted Molla on five counts of crimes
against humanity involving offences during the 1971 war of independence sentencing him to life
imprisonment. It also acquitted him on one other count. Following large protests in the Shahbagh
area of Dhaka demanding that Molla receive the death penalty, the government changed the law,
allowing the prosecution to appeal against the sentences of life imprisonment.
34 http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303932504579253740672780748
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On 17 September 2013, the appellate division, in a majority judgment, dismissed the appeals
made by Quader Mollas lawyers confirming the convictions on five counts, reversing the verdict
of acquittal on one count, and handing down the death sentence on one count concerning his
involvement in the massacre of a family. The court upheld unanimously that his acquittal on
charge no 4 should be reversed and should stand as a conviction, and most significantly that, by a
majority, the sentence on charge no 6 (the murder of a family), should be changed from life
imprisonment to a death penalty.
International rights activists have expressed their concerns about the Supreme Courts ruling and
the apparent relentless effort by the government to ensure that Mollah is dead.35 The entire
process suffers from a number of anomalies which renders the execution incompatible with
internationally recognised norms of human rights and fair trial guarantees.
Mr. Molla was hanged despite the flimsiness of the evidence on the charge which he has been
sentenced to death and the fact that the tribunal simply did not allow him to put forward his
defence.
Quader Molla was put to death relying on the contradictory statement of a witness, giving
evidence in court 42 years after the event stating that Molla was present, who had previously
given two statements - one to a 1971 museum and another to the investigation officer - neither of
which stated that Molla was present at the scene. One of the statements even reveals that she was
not present at the time of the incident. For the whole of the last 43 years since the incident on 26
35 http://www.amnesty.org/en/for-media/press-releases/bangladesh-death-sentence-without-right-judicial-appeal-
defies-human-rights
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March 1971, Momena never told anybody that Quader Molla had been present at the time of her
family's murder. The courts both tribunal and appellate division did not take into
consideration any of these previous statements which do obviously raise issues about the
credibility of the witness.
Attacks on Political Activities
Democratic practices was in serious jeopardy during the time and the political parties were
generally not allowed to hold any peaceful protest or procession against the tyrannical behavior
of the Govt. The Govt. has filled up the jails with political prisoners. The jails are already
holding 3 times more than their capacities, leading to unrest among the detainees. The prisoners
include central leaders of BNP and Jamaat-E-Islami and activists numbering to more than
50,000. Almost each and every program of the opposition was obstructed with law-enforcing
agencies and the activists or participants of those programs were maltreated by serious brutality.
Some instances are below-
Cancellation of Registration of Jamaat
Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has always been holding a key position in the process forming of
government after the elections. In 1991 and 1996 respectively, BNP and Awami League
managed to form government by securing the support of Jamaat. The alliance of Jamaat and BNP
in 2001 election resulted in a landslide victory of BNP against Awami League. After the defeat
in 5 city elections of 2013, Awami League anticipated the same effect in the coming elections as
well and was desperate to prevent that from happening.
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The government backed Shahbag movement which was initiated earlier this year has been
consistently demanding a ban on Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. Various top leaders of the ruling
party have also voiced the same demand and it has become clear that Awami League is
determined to eliminate its rival Jamaat from the political scenario using the state power.
Subsequently in 1 August 2013, the High Court Division cancelled the registration of Jamaat
debarring its participation in elections. Awami League has termed the verdict as a success in its
effort against Jamaat and declared that the judgment is the first step in the process of eliminating
Jamaat from politics. The use of the judiciary to prevent political opponents from democratic
process is a matter of great concern for the advancement of rule of law in Bangladesh.
In 2008, during the military-backed caretaker government, the EC made it mandatory for
political parties to register if they wanted to contest polls. Jamaat, a key ally of the BNP,
registered with alongside 37 other parties.
Some people including Bangladesh Tariqat Federations Secretary General Syed Rezaul Haque
Chandpuri, Jaker Partys Secretary General Munshi Abdul Latif and Sammilita Islami Jotes
President Ziaul Hasan moved the court challenging Jamaats registration in January the
following year. A Sufi group, which practises Islamic mysticism, filed the public interest
litigation in January 2009 seeking to scrap Jamaat's registration. Pro Awami League protesters
have been demanding that Jamaat be banned for its role in the 1971 war of independence, during
which it opposed Bangladesh's breakaway from Pakistan.36
36http://www.dailynayadiganta.com/welcome/post/9745#.Ug8qQz8ipH0
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Arrest from Independence Day Rally
On 26th
March 2011, the Independence Day of Bangladesh, members of Bangladesh Islami
Chhatra Shibir gathered in Kakrail nightingale intersection of the capital for joining the colorful
rally arranged as a part of their
countrywide programs to
celebrate the glorious day of
national independence. But
suddenly the police attacked
the peaceful gathering of the
students and used stick and tear
cells on them. Many students
were injured by this unexpected assault without any fault on their part.40
But soon the activists of
Shibir reorganized themselves to continue with their scheduled program of Independence Day.
Thousands of Shibir activists started the procession with banners and national flags at 9 pm. The
festive rally passed along Kakrail and then they gathered at Shantinagar where student leaders
addressed the members of Shibir.41
But as soon as the speech of Shibir President Fakhruddin Manik finished, a team of police led by
OC (operation) of Ramna PS Shibli Noman attacked the gatherings of students once again from
behind without any inducement.42
This time police was more violent and fired rounds of tear cell
and rubber bullets on the students. The police also beat everyone in the spot indiscriminately
40http://www.dailysangram.com/print.php?news_id=50667
41http://theindependentbd.com/paper-edition/frontpage/129-frontpage/41281-17-shibir-men-held-in-
capital.html42
http://www.dailysangram.com/print.php?news_id=50667
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with sticks and kicked them to disperse the assembly. Panicked students and passersby started to
run in different directions and many took shelter in various shops. But police entered even there
and kept beating the activists of Shibir mercilessly. Journalists and Passersby were not spared by
the police of torture.43
Soon more two platoons of riot police joined the attack on Shibir members. They searched every
shop from Shantinagar to Shantibag looking for Shibir activists.44
More than hundred activists of
Shibir were severely injured by this sudden attack and they were admitted into different
hospitals. Police arrested 17 persons including 16 members of Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir
who were injured by the attack on the charges of vandalism and restraining the police from
duty.45
Police also seized 4 motorbikes from the rally.
Attack on Jamaat Program in Comilla
On 22nd
November 2011, Police unnecessarily attacked on a reception program organized by
Jamaat-e-Islamiat Chouddagram upazilaof Comilla.46
The reception was arranged for the party
men who were recently released from prison. Initially Police tried to close the program which led
to some scuffles and caused injuries to 5 activists of Jamaat. Though Police did not arrest
anyone from the spot, but later on they arrested Mr. Zakir Hossain Patwary, a Jamaatactivist
from his office.
43http://www.amardeshonline.com/pages/details/2011/03/27/74138
44http://www.dailysangram.com/print.php?news_id=50667
45http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/print_news.php?nid=179294
46The Daily Sangram - 23
rdNovember, 2011; Also in Daily Naya Diganta of the same date.
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Attack of 19 September47
Leaders and activists of Jamaat took to the streets on 19 September in protest against the
conspiracy to try Jamaat leaders on false charges by using a black law and demanding their
release. But police was ready with necessary arms to vandalize the program. Jamaat claimed that
at least 700 leaders and activists were injured and 400 were arrested across the country. Dhaka
Metropolitan Police admitted that they had arrested 75 persons during clashes with Jamaat
activists in Dhaka city.
A large number of police and members of Armed Police Battalion with water cannons and
armoured carriers were deployed at different places ahead of the scheduled demonstrations in
Dhaka. The capitals Kakrail, Paltan, Bijaynagar, Shantinagar and Malibagh areas turned into
battlefields during the clashes that left around 100 people, including 30 police personnel injured.
Police fired five hundred shots, mostly rubber bullets, and tear gas to disperse the demonstrators.
Witnesses said police had charged batons and fired a barrage of tear gas shells to disperse
hundreds of Jamaat activists who gathered at the Diploma Engineers Institute at Nightingale
crossing at Kakrail to march towards Paltan. But police swung into action and tried to disperse
them by using batons. Soon the clashes spread out to Paltan, Bijaynagar, Fakirerpool and
Malibagh areas.
After being attacked by police, activists of Jamaat and Islami Chhatra Shibir (student wing of
Jamaat) with mass-people confronted the police with simple sticks and hurled stones during the
nearly two-hour clashes.
47http://newagebd.com/newspaper1/frontpage/33934.html
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Police Attack in Hospital!
After 6 pm, Police appeared in Islami Bank Hospital where many injured activists of Jamaat-
Shibir were hospitalized for treatment. Police launched sudden attack on the injured people and
arrested them dragging forcefully. At this time, police made an attack upon the security guards of
the hospital. A doctor of this hospital named Hafizur Rahman who was then on duty was also
attacked and later arrested by Police. Nurse hostel of this hospital was also searched by police.
Making brutal attack upon hospitalized patient is unprecedented in the history of Bangladesh.48
Countrywide Mass-Arrest
Not only in capital Dhaka, but also in various towns and cities of the country police launched
mass arrest and repressive action against the leaders and activists of Jamaat while they were
trying to hold procession in support of their urge. Police arrested 26 leaders and activists from
Kushtia,49
3 from Barishal,50
10 from Comilla,51
25 from Chittagong52
and 5 from Kurigram.53
Police Attacks and Arrests
About 400 leaders and activists of Jamaat and Shibir had been arrested at places across the
country on 3 and 4 December during hartal. One Shibir worker was killed and hundreds of
activists were injured in attacks of Police and ruling party members.54
Deputy Commissioner
48http://www.dailysangram.com/news_details.php?news_id=64012
49http://www.dailysangram.com/news_details.php?news_id=64062
50http://www.dailysangram.com/news_details.php?news_id=64061
51http://www.dailysangram.com/news_details.php?news_id=64052
52http://www.dailysangram.com/news_details.php?news_id=64049
53http://www.dailysangram.com/news_details.php?news_id=64068
54http://www.newagebd.com/detail.php?date=2012-12-05&nid=32361#.UL9wtS70DSs
http://www.dailysangram.com/news_details.php?news_id=64012http://www.dailysangram.com/news_details.php?news_id=64062http://www.dailysangram.com/news_details.php?news_id=64061http://www.dailysangram.com/news_details.php?news_id=64052http://www.dailysangram.com/news_details.php?news_id=64049http://www.dailysangram.com/news_details.php?news_id=64068http://www.dailysangram.com/news_details.php?news_id=64068http://www.dailysangram.com/news_details.php?news_id=64068http://www.dailysangram.com/news_details.php?news_id=64049http://www.dailysangram.com/news_details.php?news_id=64052http://www.dailysangram.com/news_details.php?news_id=64061http://www.dailysangram.com/news_details.php?news_id=64062http://www.dailysangram.com/news_details.php?news_id=640128/12/2019 2009-2013: A Black Regime of Brutal Oppression on Jamaat and Shibir in Bangladesh
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Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP)'s told that as many as 69 Jamaat activists were arrested only
from Dhaka city and remad was sought for 36 of them in the CMM court.55
In Khilgaon of Dhaka, police fired bullets at a procession of supporters of Hartal. The witnesses
said that in the morning the Jamaat and Shibir Activists took out a peaceful procession near
Khilgaon flyover. The police prevented the rally and attacked the activists. Five people were hit
by police bullets and two of them were injured in their head.
In the Ansar Camp area of Mirpur a pro hartal procession was attacked by police at 10 am.
Police has shot tear shells at them and charged with sticks on the Jamaat and Shibir activists.
Police attacked a pro-hartal rally in Shahjahanpur of the capital and tortured on the participants
of the rally and arrested several of them. Two severely injured Shoaib (23) and Mostafizur
Rahman (20) were taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. 69 leaders and activists of Jamaat
and Shibir were arrested from Dhaka city including Motijhil thana president of Jamaat Kamal
Hossain.56
The police arrested 27 pickets at places in the Khulna city during the strike. In Barisal 15 pickets
were arrested. In Chittagong 13 Jamaat and Shibir activists were arrested. Reports from
Brahmanbaria said that police arrested one Jamaat activist at the place and five others at Kasba.
In Dinajpur, police picked up five Jamaat and Shibir activists at Pirganj. In Pabna, police arrested
25 activists.
55http://www.prothom-alo.com/detail/date/2012-12-05/news/310801
56http://www.dailynayadiganta.com/new/?p=56330
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In Bogra, the police attacked on Jamaat and Shibir activists at Fatkir Bridge at Shajahanpur in
the morning. At one point, the police fired shotguns to disperse them and arrested one at the spot.
The police arrested nine other Jamaat and Shibir activists at places in the district.
A professor of Islamic Studies in Jirabo Dewan Idris Degree College Mr. Mohiuddin was
arrested from his home at 3 am in the morning on 4 December. Police told that he was arrested
due to his involvement with the politics of Jamaat-e-Islami.
In Kishorganj, police arrested Jamaat leader and general secretary of Labour Welfare Federation
Sirajul Islam Dulal (50) from 32 Nurani Road and Shibir activist Md. Masum from Nogua
Bottola area. At 3 am in the morning, police went to the home of Jamaat Upazila ameer Lokman
to arrest him. Police vandalised the home when they found that Mr. Lokman was not in home.57
In Habiganj, the district president of Jamaat Maolana Mokhlesur Rahman and 5 other activists
were arrested from Vadoi area. Three other Shibir activists were arrested from Madhabpur area.
Two Jamaat leaders were arrested in Doulatpur of Kustia district wiouthout any charge even
before the Hartal hours. OC Jahir Hossain of Doulatpur Police told that they were arrested on the
suspicion that they may be involved subversive activities in the strike that would start within a
few hours.58
In South Surma of Sylhet, a Shibir worker Jahangir was critically injured by police bullet. He
was sent to Dhaka for further treatment the same day. Other injured are Mahmudur Rahman,
Jamil, Roni and Sumon. In Bishwanath, two Shibir activists were punished by mobile courts
after an instant hearing without giving them an opportunity to present evidence or resort to legal
57http://www.mzamin.com/archive_details.php?nid=MzMxNDk=&ty=MA==&s=MTg=&c=MQ==&seco=MjAxMnwxMnw1fDA=
58http://www.mzamin.com/archive_details.php?nid=MzMxNDk=&ty=MA==&s=MTg=&c=MQ==&seco=MjAxMnwxMnw1fDA=
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representation. Police arrested Faruq
Mia and Jaber Hossain from Kaliganj
and Rampasha area and brought them
to the mobile court . The court run by
executive officials sentenced them to
10 days imprisonment and monetary
fine.59
Ruling Party Attacks
Ruling party activists brought out procession in the Dhaka and chased the hartal activists. At
some places hartal activists were beaten seriously and handed over to police. Police in
association with local Awami League leaders and activists attacked pickets, admitted Abdul Latif
Sheikh, officer-in-charge of Pallabi Police Station.60
Ruling party men caught six BJI activists at Sabujbagh area near Khilgaon Flyover in the
afternoon and beat up Mostafizur and Md Shohaid mercilessly before handing them over to
police. The injured were rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) around 1:30pm.
At 9 am the activist of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islam and Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir started
a rally in support of Hartal from Jatrabari of Dhaka. The police stopped the rally and started to
59http://www.mzamin.com/archive_details.php?nid=MzMxNDk=&ty=MA==&s=MTg=&c=MQ==&seco=MjAxMnwxMnw1fDA=
60http://thenewnationbd.com/newsdetails.aspx?newsid=59383
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beat the activists. At one stage members of Awami Leage and Juba League joined the poice in
the attack and injured 25 people. Police arrested 5 pro-strike activists from the place. Ten BJI
activists were injured in a joint attack carried by the police and the Chatra League at Tongi in
Gazipur. The police arrested one person at Board Bazar.
In Sonadanga of Jessore, several Juba League leaders vandalised many vehicles at 10 am. 29 no.
ward convenor of the Awami Leagues Youth front Chanchal along with another leader went to
KDA Avenue of the city and started vandalising vehicles. One easy bike driver was grievously
injured in the head. Police and members of RAB-6 came and arrested them thinking that they
were Shibir activists. When it was found that
they belonged to the ruling party, the police
released them immediately. It is thought that
these vandalisms were carried out to blame the
pro-strike activists of Jamaat and Shibir.61
In Mogbazar of Dhaka, Juba League and
Chhatra League members attacked and
vandalised a hospital. They attacked Insaf
Baraka hospital in Tajuddin Avenue while shouting slogans Joy Bangla.The incident took place
in front of policemen but they did nothing to prevent this attack. The ruling party members
alleged that the officials of the hospital belong to Jamaat and Shibir.62
61http://www.mzamin.com/archive_details.php?nid=MzMwNzU=&ty=MA==&s=MjA=&c=MQ==&seco=MjAxMnwxMnw1fDA=
62http://www.dailysangram.com/news_details.php?news_id=103081
The bullet wound reflects the brutality committed against
the Jamaat and Shibir activists.
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In Kulaura of Moulvibazar, members of Awami League, Juba League and BCL took out an anti
hartal procession and suddenly attacked Muslim Aid Hospital which is thought to be financed by
Jamaat and Shibir. 5 patients who came for treatment were severely injured in this attack.
Hospital official Belal Ahmad told that the attack was carried out suddenly without any previous
sign and many hospital equipments worth 5,00,000 taka were destroyed in this attack.63
In Jessore, Chhatra League members chased and attacked Shibir activists while picketing in
support of strike. BCL members beat former district president of Shibir Abdullah Al Mamun and
handed over to police. Police arrested 10 other pro-hartal activists from the town. In Mirersorai
of Chittagong, Chhatra League members injured at least 5 activists and Jamaat and Shibir. They
tortured them severely and handed them over to police.
6 February 2013: Violence in Hartal
On the Hartal called by Jamaat-e-Islami on 6 February 2013, police shots bullets at protesters,
attacked with sticks, tear shells, arrested and tortured the Jamaat and Shibir activists. In
narayanganj, police shooting at a procession left five severely injured. Police shot the Shibir
activists aiming at their legs.
In Khulna, police opened fire at a rally of Shibir without provocation and injured 15 of the
demonstrators. At least 35 rounds of bullets were shot by the police at the activists of Shibir.
After that police conducted a combing operation and arrested 5 Shibir activists.
63http://www.mzamin.com/archive_details.php?nid=MzMxNDk=&ty=MA==&s=MTg=&c=MQ==&seco=MjAxMnwxMnw1fDA=
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25 picketers were arrested by police in Dhaka metropolitan area. More than 120 Jamaat
supporters were shot by police and 400 were otherwise injured by the ruling party members and
police attacks.64
In Thakurgaon, Awami League and its allied organizations vandalized and looted offices of
Shibir on 6 February. At 10.30 pm, the Nekmard unit office of Shibir was attacked by a group of
BCL members led by Ranishonkail upazila president of BCL Shahidul Haq.65
In Ullapara of sirajganj district, police opened fire at a rally of Hartal supporters. Two members
of Shibir named Munnu and Ruhullah were shot and another 5 were injured in this attack.
Attacks on Jamaat-Shibir Offices
Case - 1
Police attacked on the Dhaka City office of Jamaat and forced the office bearers and secretaries
to leave.66
Police had done this for consecutive four days, but did not admit that for a single time.
Secretary of Dhaka City Jamaat Hamidur Rahman Azad MP complained that, Police also
compelled him to leave the office showing very rude attitude. Though about 20-25 Police
including D.B was running the operation, Officials of the Local Police stations (Paltan Thana &
Motijheel Thana) denied the fact.
64http://www.amardeshonline.com/pages/printnews/2013/02/07/186662
65http://www.amardeshonline.com/pages/printnews/2013/02/07/186662
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Case - 2
Police run an operation in the Central office of Shibir and arrested three persons.67
This operation
was committed on 5:00 pm afternoon on 23rd
November. But later on, Police snatched away
about One thousand taka from them and released them. However, Police also arrested some
more local people
suspecting them as
Shibir activists, but
they were released
after a while.
Police Attack in Dhaka
Police severely attacked on Jamaat-e-Islami procession in the capital Dhaka demanding the
release of top its leaders including Delawar Hossain Sayedee.68
The attack left at least 10 people
injured at the citys Malibagh
area on 12 September 2011,
afternoon. Police baton-
charged the party men when
they were holding a peaceful
procession organized by
Dhaka Metropolitan unit of Jamaat. Police arrested at least 25 Jamaat activists from the spot.69
67The Daily Amar Desh - 24
thNovember, 2011
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The party members were due to gather at the Engineers Institution compound at 4 pm for which
proper permission was obtained from the authority. But the police locked the whole place up in
the morning and did not allow any person to come around the area. Several persons were arrested
who tried to enter the venue of the protest rally. Being unable to hold the meeting in the
scheduled venue, the Jamaat activists assembled in the Kakrail area of the city and prepared for
the rally led by Assistant Secretary General of the party Professor Mujibur Rahman who has
recently been released from detention. At one stage, the Jamaat activists brought a procession
from Kakrail crossing and proceeded towards Malibagh crossing at about 4:00pm.70
At the end of the program police suddenly swung into action to disperse the rally. Fierce beating
and firing by the police at the demonstrators caused widespread panic in the neighboring areas.
More than hundred activists of Jamaat along with 30 common passersby were severely injured in
the police action in the area. All business establishments were shuttered during the clash that also
created a huge traffic jam, causing public sufferings.71
Police charged batons and fired teargas on Jamaat men who gathered in the protest rally
demanding the release of detained leaders. More than 50 Jamaat activists were arrested from the
procession among them 21 are in Shahbag police station and 26 are at the Ramna police station.
This was the one of the largest incidents of mass arrest in several months. Rafiqul Islam, officer-
in-charge of Ramna Police Station, said they detained 25 to 26 men on charges of attacking the
law enforcers and injuring them without any provocation.72
70http://www.amardeshonline.com/pages/details/2011/09/13/104991
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Police Attack in Sylhet
Police attack on Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Chhatra Shibir activists has left at least
35 injured. The incidents took place in two phases around 4 pm on 11 September 2011 at the
Sylhet city's Zindabazar and Chouhatta intersections. The clashes ensued when police blocked a
procession of Jamaat and Chhatra Shibir activists demanding release of its central leaders, who
are currently in jail on charges of alleged crimes against humanity in 1971.73
The demonstration of hundreds of BJI activists began at the Court point led by Sylhet
Metropolitan Pesident Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair. As soon as the tail of the rally reached Shyamoli
Centre, a great number of police started to throw tear shells at the demonstrators without being
provoked. Police fired 30 rounds
of rubber bullet shots and 25
rounds of teargas shell at the
activists. Police charged baton and
fired teargas shells a second time
to stop the procession that led to
another fierce clash. Later, a Rapid Action Battalion contingent joined the police in the action,
eyewitnesses said. Three severely wounded Jamaat activists namely Shahjahan Ali, Shahriar
Alam and Anwarul Wadud were admitted to a private clinic in the city.74
Eight people were arrested by the police from the site. Among the arrested activists areObaidur
Rahman Masud, Obaidul Haque, Shukur Ali, Touhid Ahmed and Oliur Rahman.75
Later police
73www.bdnews24.com/details.php?id=205796&cid=3
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has filed a case of assault against 3000 Jamaat activists and leaders including Metropolitan
President Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, District South President Habibur Rahman, Professsor Abdul
Hannan, Dr. Sayef Ahmad, Sirajul Islam Shahin Advocate Zia Uddin Nader and others.76
In the same night, Police arrested Jamaat leader Shams Uddin from a clinic where he was under
treatment for his wound he received from the attack on the procession. On 3 am in the morning,
Police conducted a raid in the house of Surma Upazila Chairman and Jamaat leader Maolana
Lokman Ahmed for arresting him, when he was not at home.77
Police Attack in Bogra
In Bogra another procession of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami was attacked by Police leavening
four activists injured. Police charged with batons on the peaceful procession called by Jamaat
demanding the release of their central leaders. Jamaat had begun its rally from Satmatha of the
city before it was dispersed by sudden police attack. Later the activists assembled in a protest
meeting in front of the Press Club led by district Jamaat President Shahabuddin.78
Shibir: Victim of Campus Violence
BCL Violence in Islamic University
Violent attack on students of Islamic University by BCL has caused the university to remain
close from 26th
September to 26th
November with all examinations postponed. At least 40 people
75www.bdnews24.com/details.php?id=205796&cid=3
76http://www.amardeshonline.com/pages/details/2011/09/13/105009
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were injured, three with bullets, as the Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), the ruling Awami
Leagues associate body of students, attacked Islami Chhatra Shibir, Jamaat-e-Islamis associate
body of students, at the Islamic University in Kushtia on 26 October 2011. Thousands of
students had to evacuate the dorms amid strike in transport sector.79
The clash centred on the appointment of a dining manager at the Lalan Shah Hall. Hall
authorities had decided to change the dining manager on October 25 and issued a notice for the
appointment of a manager over which BCL and Shibir had some disagreement. The authorities
held a meeting with the two groups till 8:00pm to resolve the matter. When the meeting was
going on, Chhatra League men gathered at the hall gate and started an attack on Shibir activists.
Chhatra League activists came out of Saddam Hossain Hall, Ziaur Rahman Hall and
Bangabandhu Sheikh Muzibur Rahman Hall to take part in the attack. At least 10 crude bombs
were exploded and 30 rounds were traded by BCL during the clash. The critically injured eight
were admitted to Kushtia General Hospital after they had been primary treatment in the
university medical centre.
The students adviser, Meher Ali, the acting hall provost Shamsul Alam Siddique, and the acting
proctor, Mohabbat Hossain, then met the university unit Chhatra League president, Jahangir
Hossain, and the hall unit Shibir president, Assaduzzaman, in the office of the Lalan Shah hall
provost. About an hour and a half afterwards, the superintendent of police, Mafij Uddin Ahmed,
students adviser Meher Ali, acting proctor Mohabbat Hossain visited the place. Begum
Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall provost Akhtarujjaman has allegedly encouraged violence instead of
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mitigating the conflict. The police fired blank shots and teargas shells the control the situation.
The police on the evening raided the hall and seized a lethal weapon but no one was arrested.
The university unit Shibir president, Mainul Islam said that Chhatra League activists had
attacked them without any provocatio. Earlier on 14 August, BCL has carried out another attack
on Shibir activists during the Ramadan vacation. According to Professor Dr. Tozammel Hossain,
the president of Teachers Society of the university, lack of measures taken against previous
violence has caused the repetition of the same incidents, which has undermined the general
academic environment and safety in the campus. The month long closure is worsening the
session jam situations of the faculties.
Torture on Shibir activists in Educational Institutions
Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL), the student front of the ruling party Awami League was
extremely violent over its oppositions since day one of its regime. There animalistic attitude
remains still the same. The month of November witnessed two major clashes between BCL and
Shibir. With the Police back ups, BCL unleashed their fury and anger over Shibir activists.
Case1: Dhaka Uni versity of Engineeri ng Technology (DUET)
The BCL faction ofDhaka University of Engineering Technology(DUET) made an unnecessary
attack over the Shibir activist students there on 27th
October.80
Sources said, some posters
criticizing the activities of the present govt. was hung in the campus in the name of Conscious
Students Society. BCL activists suspected Shibir for the posters and attacked on them with iron
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rods and batons at about 1:30 am at night. The tortured known faces of Shibir there and as a
result; about 15 activists including the Secretary of DUET Shibir was severely injured. However,
they started searching the rooms of suspected Shibir workers and collected and gathered the
books, clothing and
beddings of those Shibir
activists and burnt them in
fire. However, no case or
any academic action was
taken against those BCL
cadres but Shibir
supporter students are
now out of campus.
Case2: I slamic Un iversity of Kushtia
Severe clash between BCL and Shibir took place in the Islamic University of Kushtia on 26th
October.81
The clash started when Rezwan, an activist of Shibir was stabbed by BCL cadres at
Lalan Shah Hall of the campus. Later on, BCL cadres attacked Shibir with fire arms and cocktail
bombs. Police initially played an inactive role, but afterwards supported them by baton charging
the Shibir activists along with firing tear cells towards them. This clash took place for more than
two hours where about 30 Shibir activists were injured.
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So, after such little examples, it can easily be inferred that how dismal the actual scenario of the
socio-political situation is now in Bangladesh. Awami League led Grand Alliance govt. is so
much vindictive over Jamaat and Shibir from the very beginning of their electoral term. It creates
suspicion and fear among the civil society and the general people as well about the future of
democracy in Bangladesh.
BCL-men Shoot on Shibir in Daylight
Chhatra League cadres including the former
organizational secretary of RU unit named SM
Towhid Al Hossain Tuhin is seen open firing on
Islami Chhatrashibir activists in RU. At least 25
students were injured, three of them bullet-hit, in a
fierce clash between Islamic Chhatra Shibir and Bangladesh Chhatra League activists at Rajshahi
University (RU)82
Arrests and Torture
Top Jamaat Leaders Arrested
Besides the Ameer (Party Chief) of Jamaat-e-Islami Motiur Rahman Nizami, most of the top
leaders of the party are arrested including Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mohamaad Mujahid,
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Mohammad Kamaruzzaman, Delwar Hossain Sayedee,
and former Ameer Golam Azam. Police keeps arresting
the national and district level leaders of Bangladesh
Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Chhatra Shibir is numerous
criminal cases such as vehicle burning, obstructing public
officials etc where the involvement of the arrested leaders
is very unlikely.
On 29 June 2010 Police arrested three top Jamaat leaders;
the President of Jamaat Mawlana Motiur Rahman Nizami,
Vice President Mawlana Delwar Hossain Saydee and
Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mujahid in connection with a case of hurting religious sentiment
(CR 1012/12) and kept them in the Detective Branch (DB) office where the Jamaat leaders had
to spend all night on the floor with nothing except two pieces of blanket each. They were denied
access to their lawyers and family members despite repeated request to the authority.
On 13th
July, Jamaat assistant secretary generals, Mr. Kamaruzzaman and Mr. Abdul Kader
Molla (Molla) went to the High Court in order to obtain anticipatory bail in connection with
some cases. The Attorney General office sought time and accordingly, the Court adjourned the
hearing of anticipatory bail for a day and ordered the government not to arrest or harass them
until the hearing. Nonetheless, the police arrested them both while exiting the Supreme Court
premises. The lawyers of Kamaruzzaman and Molla produced the lawyers' certificates of court
order to the police who replied that there were plenty of other cases awaiting the Jamaat leaders.
Later the police showed them arrest in connection with another case.Pallabi PS case no 60(1)08.
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Afterwards these top 5 leaders of Jamaat had been detained for 9 months without any charge
framed against them and many of their human and legal rights had been violated. Political
leaders were tortured in the custody. Jaamat Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mujahid and Vice-
President Maolana Delwar Hossian Sayedee alleged that they were tortured continuously for nine
days during remand period and could not take rest due to the torture of police in custody.83
ATM Azharul Islam and Tasnim Alam
Law enforcers have arrested around 50 leaders and activists of Jamaat-e-Islami including its
acting secretary general ATM Azharul Islam and Publication secretary Tasnim Alam for charge
of street violence that spread after Police baton-charged the party men when they were holding a
peaceful procession organized by Dhaka Metropolitan unit of Jamaat on 12 September 2011,
afternoon.84
ATM Azharul Islams two sons Taslim Azhar and Ali Azhar were also arrested and
detained in police custody. Metropolitan Magistrate Sukanto Bagchi remanded the Jamaat
mmbers for the cases filed with Paltan Police Station and Ramna Police Station. The remand
lasted for 19 days after which the leaders were sent to prison.
The police have tortured the leaders during the remand by physical and mental harassment, not
serving food on proper time, denying external food supply to the violation of regulations. The
detained leaders were not allowed to say their prayers.85
Professor Mujibur Rahman
Police had detained 20 Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami men with Professor Mujibur Rahman (56),
former Member of Parliament, Assistant Secretary General of Bangladesh Jamaat E Islmai
83The Daily Nayadiganta, 11/07/2010
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Central committee and President of Sramik Kolyan Federation, from 1/J, 2/10, section-1,
Kalwalapara of Mirpur-1 of the capital city Dhaka on 28 October, 2010. They were holding a
special prayer at their Mirpur local office for Habibur Rahman, a party activist killed on October
28, 2006, by Awami League-led 14-party alliance. While special prayer was going on, police
raided the office and arrested them without prior allegation and warrant of arrest.86
Police had detained 20 Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami men with Professor Mujibur Rahman (56),
former Member of Parliament, Assistant Secretary General of Bangladesh Jamaat E Islmai
Central committee and President of Sramik Kolyan Federation, from 1/J, 2/10, section-1,
Kalwalapara of Mirpur-1 of the capital city Dhaka on 28 October, 2010. A 3 days police remand
had been granted for these 19 arrested Jamaat-men by the Court on 29 October 2010. These
Jamaat men were holding a special prayer at their Mirpur local office for Habibur Rahman, a
party activist killed on October 28, 2006, by Awami League-led 14-party alliance. While special
prayer was going on, Police raided the office and held them without prior allegation and warrant
of arrest.87
AKM Nazir Ahmad and Hamidur Rahman Azad
On December 11, 2011, Two Dhaka courts sent seven Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami leaders and
activists to jail, hours after their surrender, in connection with two cases filed for assaulting
police and obstructing them from discharging their duties on September 19 2010.88
86The Daily Amar Desh; 29 October 2010
87The Daily Amar Desh; 29 October 2010