Human Rights and Freedom of Religion or Belief in Bangladesh

Organisation: Jubilee Campaign

Speaker: Sini Maria Heikkila

Thank you Mr President.

Jubilee Campaign, together with Christian Solidarity Worldwide, thanks the Special Rapporteur Heiner Bielefeldt, for his detailed findings on freedom of religion or belief in Bangladesh. We also commend his thematic report providing excellent analysis on the freedom of expression and freedom of religion or belief and highlighting importance of implementation of resolution 16/18 and the use of Rabat Plan of Action.

Minority groups in Bangladesh continue to face discrimination in the law, in society and in treatment by enforcement agencies. Last year’s multiple attacks on Shia mosques, Hindu temples and threats to Christian church leaders are reflective of the ongoing struggles for religious minorities in Bangladesh. Increasing number of violations on freedom of expression are also concerning, indicated by attacks on bloggers and publishers of secular material.

The Hindu community in Bangladesh continue to face significant levels of discrimination and violent attacks including the explosion at the Rushmela festival on 5th December 2015 and the murder of Hindu leader in Panchagarh on 20th February 2016. Hindus are also vulnerable to gender based violence with evidence of repeated cases of rape, forced marriage and conversion of underage girls.

Discrimination in Bangladesh affects individuals of various beliefs and none. The Christian community is certainly not exempt. On 25 November 2015 Reverend Barnabas Hembrom, pastor of Rangpur Baptist Mission, and nine other pastors in the district received three anonymous letters threatening to kill them for ‘preaching Christianity in Bangladesh.’ 2015 also bore witness to the attacks of Alok Sen, the general secretary of Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Oikya Parishad community, Reverend Luke Sarker and Piero Palorai, an Italian doctor and pastor.

The Shia community in Bangladesh is also facing increased threats. They were targeted with two violent attacks in October and November 2015, the former causing injuries to a reported 80 worshippers and the death of one. The November attack resulted in the death of one worshipper and injuries were sustained by three others.

Jubilee Campaign together with Christian Solidarity Worldwide urge Bangladesh to address the climate of impunity and to uphold the rule of law needed to safeguard human rights for all. The Council must encourage Bangladesh to protect their religious minorities and uphold their constitutional obligation to protect both freedom of religion or belief and freedom of expression throughout the country.