Violence must stop now

The recent violence is a serious threat to human rights, and it must be stopped immediately, speakers told a roundtable of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) yesterday.

They, however, gave differing opinions on "shootouts" taking place in the midst of the violence.

At least 84 people have been killed in violence since the BNP-led 20-party alliances declared a nationwide blockade on January 5, while 41 others have died in "shootouts" during the period. 

Addressing the discussion in the capital's Brac Centre, NHRC Chairman Prof Mizanur said "Let's convey the strong message to all who in guise of democratic movement are posing threat to the human rights of the citizens."

"You have to renounce violence and terrorism. Because there can't be democratic accommodation with the terrorists," he said.

Talking about extra-judicial killings, the NHRC chief asked the law enforcement agencies to make sure that the force they are applying to tackle violence is legitimate and truly in self-defence.

Former caretaker government advisor Rasheda K Chowdhury said the education sector had been seriously hampered because parents were not sending their children to school.

"All violence must be stopped. Whoever is doing it, please bring them under the purview of law and punish them," she said.

Rasheda said the situation might increase the likelihood of child marriage or early marriage because many parents might think it was a way out of the situation of uncertainty.

Alluding to "shootouts", Dhaka University's Prof Mesbah Kamal said BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami were responsible for all these killings, arson attacks because all these were happening upon their call.

"When the government begins curbing the violence, a particular quarter raises questions that extra-judicial killing is taking place. But what the government should do?" he said.

Prof M Shah Alam, member of the Law Commission, pleaded for more incidents of shoot at sight, saying that when shoot at sight increased, violence and bombing decreased.

Cultural personality M Hamid said, "We are in a sad situation. All the citizens are traumatised. Nobody knows when, where and how they are going to be attacked."

Dr Sadeka Halim, another DU professor, said sabotage was going on and the marginalised communities are the worst victims of violence affecting their means of livelihood.

"This is no movement; this is sabotage and should be stopped immediately," she said.

Echoing the professor, Tapas Kanti Baul, a prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal, said many minority people had been forced to migrate to the neighboring country in recent days.