In a meeting held on 16 October
2001at Birmingham Pragati Mandal, Henley Street, Birmingham, the Executive
Committee of the Hindu Council of Birmingham unanimously passed a resolution
strongly condemning the genocidal attacks on the Hindu minority in Bangladesh.
Since elections on October 1 2001, Hindus have been butchered, women raped
and their property pillaged in the districts of Barisal and Bagerhat. Nearly
15,000 Hindu families have fled their homes to escape the savagery inflicted
upon them by the Muslim fundamentalist supporters of the new government
in Bangladesh.
According to the leading Bangladeshi
dailies such as Ittfaq, Sangbad, and Prothom Alo, the attacks had started
even before the elections. The violence which included extortion, threats,
forceful eviction and occupation of land, murder and raping of hundreds
of women and young girls was done with the aim of punishing the Hindu minority
who have traditionally backed Awami League party.
Hindu Council of Birmingham demands
that the government of Bangladesh should take immediate action to safeguard
the Hindu minority in Bangladesh and bring to justice the perpetrators
of these heinous crimes.
Dr. S. Poshakwale
Joint-Secretary
Hindu Council of Birmingham
Dated: 16 October 2001
Letter to High Commission of People's
Republic of Bangladesh
High Commission of People's Republic
of Bangladesh
28, Queens Gate,
London SW7 5JA, U.K.
Dated: 17 October 2001
Dear Sir,
Subject: Genocidal attacks on Hindus
in Bangladesh
It has come to our attention through
various reports and sources that the Muslim fundamentalist supporters of
the new government in Bangladesh have gone on rampage murdering, looting,
and raping hundreds of Hindu women and young girls in public since the
election in Bangladesh on 1 October 2001.
The Hindu Council of Birmingham
would like to lodge a complaint with the Government of Bangladesh through
your office in London. The Hindu Council of Birmingham strongly condemns
the atrocities inflicted on thousands of innocent Hindu minorities in Bangladesh
and demands that strong action be taken against the perpetrators of these
heinous crimes on humanity.
Sincerely,
Dr. S.Poshakwale
Joint Secretary
Copy to: 1. Amnesty International,
London
2. United Nations Human Rights Commission, New York
