A newly floated civic forum, Nagarik Nirapatta Jote, on Saturday said the rights situation in Bangladesh was deteriorating and most of the government institutions were now extremely politicised.
The platform at a press conference at the National Press Club in Dhaka also called for ensuring accountability of the state institutions and said they were focusing on the rights of the people and justice for them.
Nijera Kori coordinator Khushi Kabir convened the press conference that demanded upholding rule of law, security, accountability and justice in the country.
The platform also placed an 11-point charter of demands that include independent inquiry in to the rights abuse including extrajudicial killing, enforced disappearance, custodial torture and negligence in duty by government officials.
Asked about the reason of launching a new platform, Khushi Kabir said, ‘We felt the need to be united.’
Rights activist Hameeda Hossain, Transparency International Bangladesh executive director Iftekharuzzaman and Nagarik Uddyog chief executive Zakir Hossain also attended the program.
Iftekharuzzaman called for stopping the politicisation of the government institutions and make them accountable.
He expressed disappointment at the activities of law enforcement agencies and said those who were the protectors of the laws were now violating them.
‘We want to be a part of development process but at the same time want accountability too,’ he said.
Nagarik Nirapatta Jote called on the government to promptly form a judicial commission to guarantee the proper trial of all human rights violations by the state agencies.
The Association of Land Reform and Development executive director Shamsul Huda referring statistics by Ain o Salish Kendra said at least 118 people were killed in so called ‘gunfights’ with law enforcement agencies in the first quarter in current year.
The platform expressed its dissatisfaction as the High Court directive on forming sexual harassment complaint committees at all educational institutions and workplaces was being ignored.
They also expressed concern at the overuse of section 57 of the Information and Communications Technology Act for political purposes and to harass people.
They also called for necessary amendment to the controversial Digital Security Act.

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