1,000 extrajudicial killings since 2004 in Bangladesh
By IANSTuesday, December 15, 2009
DHAKA - The Dhaka High Court has expressed grave concern over extrajudicial killings with human rights groups claiming a toll of over 1,000 people since 2004 when the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) was formed.
Eleven people have been killed in custody since Nov 17 when the court sought an explanation on the matter from the government.
During the hearing Monday, the court asked the attorney general to convey its concern to the director general of RAB, The Daily Star newspaper said.
The court also asked him to “take initiatives” so that no such killings take place till the next hearing on the matter scheduled for Jan 9.
Human rights bodies allege that over 1,000 people, mostly Left extremists and those with criminal records, have been killed since the elite RAB was formed in 2004.
Rights organisations - Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST) and Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) - Monday submitted separate statements to the court saying over 1,000 people have been killed in custody in “so-called” crossfire or gunfight in violation of human rights since 2004.
The government denies this. But a minister recently justified the killings, in principle, in larger national interest.
