Politically Motivated Arrest Spree of Police in

Bangladesh
Women activists are the new target
Members of Bangladesh Jamaat women wing
arrested from religious gathering like Iftar Parties
With the denial of the basic human rights towards opposition, the illegitimate Govt. of Bangladesh led by
Awami League has created a suffocating environment for everyone who stands against it. From the very
first anniversary of the most farced and rigged election in the history of Bangladesh, the opposition
wanted to stage protests and raise their voices through a number of peaceful manners. But the AL regime
vowed to tackle those in whatever way possible. The outcome was severe. Almost 20,000 opposition
activists were arrested since January, 2015. 1 The protests of the opposition resulted in death of about fifty
people were killed in Arson attacks, around 220 injured. 2 In retaliation, hundreds of opposition activists
were killed by Law Enforcing Agencies (Police/RAB/BGB) in the name of so called encounter/ cross fire.

Arrested women from Khulna (28th June, 2015)

After a few while when the things seemed to be cooled down a little bit, Govt. started its mission to
eliminate the opposition in a very slow but steady way. The number of arrests never went down, and the
new trend of arresting women activists from Ramadan programs has added a new dimension to this
1
2

http://www.hrw.org/news/2015/02/06/bangladesh-end-deadly-cycle-crimes (Also Daily Naya Diganta 7th Feb)

http://progressbangladesh.com/hrw-bangladesh-end-deadly-cycle-of-crimes/

ongoing oppression. In last few days, more than fifty women were arrested from several regions of
Bangladesh. Most of them were peaceful housewives and respected women, yet they were arrested for
frivolous charges of conspiracy and sabotage. This outrageous act of the Law enforcing authorities in the
month of Ramadan is a matter of serious concern which calls for immediate attention and solution.
A summary of the arrest spree of the Police will help to understand the situation.
Date
27th June, 2015
27th June, 2015
28th June, 2015
2nd July, 2015
3rd July, 2015
July 12th, 2015

Place
Beparipara, Jhenaidah Town
Erulia, Bogra Sadar, Bogra
Gobra, Koira thana, Khulna
Old Satkhira Town
Madaripur
Dhaka

Eight Days

Five districts

Program
Iftar Mahfil
Iftar Mahfil
Iftar Mahfil
Iftar Mahfil
Iftar Mahfil
Iftar Mahfil

Number of Arrested Women

09
05
24
16
04
10

58 Women

A brief description of the arrest incidents along with the statement of the Police and locals will provide a
clear view of the situation.
1. Nine women arrested in Jhenaidah
On 27th June Saturday, Police arrested nine women from a house at Beparipara, Jhenaidah Municipal area
while they were conducting a while they were conducting a religious functions about Ramadan. 3 Officerin-Charge of Police of Jhenaidah thana Biplob Kumar Nath stated that, those women were conspiring for
sabotage and they were arrested at around 2:00 pm. 4 The arrest took place from the house of one Mohsin
Mia of Beparipara, confirmed by ASP (Sadar Circle) Gopinath Kanjilal. 5
2. Five women arrested in Bogra
On the same day (27th June, Saturday), five more women were arrested by the Detective branch (DB) at
Bogra. 6 A meeting for discussing the spiritual aspect of Ramadan was arranged by the women activists of
Jamaat at Erulia village of Bogra Sadar. The meeting was finished at around 12:00 pm, and all the
participants left the place with Iftar. However, Police intercepted the house at around 1:30 pm and
arrested five women from the spot. The official press note sent by Senior ASP Gaziur Rahman confirmed
that twenty organizational books were seized during the raid. 7

http://www.dailynayadiganta.com/detail/news/34018
http://www.dailyinqilab.com/details/17510
5
http://www.dailynayadiganta.com/detail/news/34018
6
http://www.ntvbd.com/bangladesh/13133
7
http://www.breakingnews.com.bd/articles/politics/breakingnews.58191.details
4

3. Twenty four women arrested in Khulna

On 28th June, Police arrested twenty four women from a religious program arranged by Jamaat-e-Islami,
at Gobra village of Koira thana, Khulna. 8 Koira Thana officer-in-charge (OC) Harendra Nath Sarkar
stated that police raided the meeting of around 150 women activists of Jamaat, and managed to arrest
twenty four while others fled. 9 Police claimed that the women were arrested along with three bombs and
bomb making materials, though this was vehemently denied by local Jamaat organization; they termed it
as the annual Iftar program of the female branch of Jamaat. 10 However, cases would be filed in
accordance with the Explosives Substances Act, the OC added. 11
4. Sixteen women arrested in Satkhira
On 2nd July, sixteen women from Puratan Satkhira area of the town were arrested by police when they
congregated for a religious discussion on Ramadan. 12 According to media reports, police suddenly
stormed the gathering at the house of local businessman Mr. Fazlul Haque, and assaulted the participants,
most of whom were women with children. 13 Sixteen women along with Asma Khatun, Member of Jamaat
and landlady of the house were picked up on charges of conspiring for sabotage. Police claimed to collect
four cocktails from the spot along with papers and documents of Jamaat-e-Islami. 14 However, Jamaat
stated that, they were arrested from a family gathering and the house belonged to person who is the leader
of local Olama League, the religious organization of the ruling party Awami League. 15

Arrested women from Satkhira

http://progressbangladesh.com/police-drive-in-3-districts-lead-to-arrest-of-38-village-women-4-children-atreligious-study-programs-on-ramadan-%e2%80%aain-%e2%80%8ebangladesh%e2%80%ac/
9
http://www.banglamail24.com/news/2015/06/28/id/230918/
10
http://www.banglamail24.com/news/2015/06/28/id/230960/
11
http://www.dailynayadiganta.com/detail/news/34132
12
http://www.samakal.net/2015/07/03/147243
13
http://www.amardeshonline.com/pages/details/2015/07/02/290956#.VZeAvf61y01
14
http://www.dainikamadershomoy.com/2015/07/03/35708.php
15
http://www.dailysangram.com/news_details.php?news_id=194872

5. Four women arrested in Madaripur

On 3rd July, Police arrested Mahmuda Islam, the Secretary of the Women branch of Jamaat-e-Islami,
Madaripur town along with three other activists. 16 This was a part of ongoing arrest and raids conducted
by the Police in that district, where a number of male activists were arrested in last few days. 17
6. 10 members of Bangladesh Jamaat women wing arrested from religious gathering in Dhaka

Police officials from Detective Branch, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) have arrested 10 members of
#Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islamis women wing from a flat at Priyo Prangon building at Segunbagicha in the
capital Dhaka.
At 3pm on Sunday afternoon, a team of female police from DMP raided the house premises and arrested
them.
They were then taken to the DB office, where they have been held since. Officer in charge of Ramna
police station Moshiur Rahman confirmed the arrest of 10 Jamaat women activists.
The identity of those arrested have not been known yet, and neither have any details been revealed as to
the reason for the arrests, as police have declined to give any details on the matter.22

16
17

http://jamaat-e-islami.org/details.php?artid=MjIwMjI=
http://www.monitor-bd.net/newsdetail/detail/41/137749

Recommendations
Bangladesh is a state party of many International Conventions and the provision of those instruments are
binding on Bangladesh. But, they are being violated every day by the present Govt such as - The raids on
peaceful meetings and arbitrary arrests violates some very basic human rights which Bangladesh is
committed to protect but violating frequently.
Bangladesh is a signatory of International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) 1966 which
incorporated certain fundamental human rights. Under article 21 of this covenant, Bangladesh cannot
impose any unreasonable restriction on the right of peaceful assembly held in accordance with law.18
Afflicting the rally participants, police also disrespected the rights of protection from torture and cruel
treatment. 19 This right is also guaranteed in our Constitution as a basic fundamental right. 20 Apart from
that, Constitution of Bangladesh guarantees the rights of observing religious practices without any
restriction for its citizens. 21 These arbitrary arrests and imposition of frivolous cases of conspiracy against
the state is a clear violation of all these rights of the citizens of Bangladesh.

Conclusion
As a democratic country, Bangladesh is now at a political crossroad. The autocratic activities of the
present illegitimate govt. are leading the country to sheer jeopardy. If the illegally assorted Parliament
majority is used as a political weapon to demolish all oppositions and to use the Law enforcing force of
the Country for their own accord, then it will worsen the already dismal socio-political situations of our
country, the crisis will touch the sky. The image of our country to the outer world is also a matter of
concern. All of the issues must be solved politically with a fair intention. The over-ambitious and
personally vilified Police officials need to be made accountable for their actions. Only then, the
development of democracy and rule of Law can be achieved in Bangladesh.

18

Article 21 of ICCPR: The right of peaceful assembly shall be recognized. No restrictions may be placed on the
exercise of this right other than those imposed in conformity with the law and which are necessary in a democratic
society in the interests of national security or public safety, public order, the protection of public health or morals
or the protection of the rights and freedoms of others.
19
Article 7 of ICCPR: No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or
punishment.
20
Article 37 of the Constitution of Bangladesh
21
Article 41 of the Constitution of Bangladesh
22
http://progressbangladesh.com/10-members-of-%e2%80%aa%e2%80%8ebangladesh%e2%80%ac-jamaatwomen-wing-arrested-from-religious-gathering-in-dhaka/