Please - Odhikar

iii. Conflicts with political rights:
Police are often reluctant to pursue investigations against persons affiliated with the ruling
political party, and governments in power in Bangladesh frequently use the police for political
purposes. Police have often employed excessive, sometimes lethal, force in dealing with
opposition demonstrators, like attacking peaceful opposition processions with tear gas and
batons, regardless of whether they have been provoked or not. Supporters of different political
parties, and often supporters of different factions within one party, frequently clash with each
other and with police during rallies and demonstrations.
From January 01-December 31, 2005 it was reported that 310 persons died, 8,997 were injured
and 1216 persons were arrested for politically motivated violence. 93 people were also
kidnapped.
Reported Incidents of Human Rights Violations Perpetrated on Persons with Political
Identity (political party leaders, workers, activists, etc) 2005
This year, 15 day-long and 1 half- day nation wide hartal (general strikes) were observed and
two (2) people died in hartal related incidents. Ashraf Seddikee a policeman in Sherpur died as a
result of an attack carried out by the (Opposition) Awami League supporters during the hartal on
02 February 2005. Amir Hossain was severely injured as he drove his CNG taxi during hartal on
May 1, 2005. Awami League supporters set fire to his CNG and he succumbed to his injuries on
May 25, 2005.
24
Month(s) Injured Killed Arrested Kidnapped
January 701 45 304 1
February 879 31 213 2
March 650 22 63 16
April 635 27 30 28
May 558 25 151 14
June 520 31 53 1
July 860 20 40 6
August 904 19 40 8
September 860 21 37 0
October 1005 21 60 0
November 682 19 200 15
December 743 29 25 2
Total
8997 310 1216 93
Report 2005