Bangladesh has witnessed a surge in violence and unrest targeting minority groups amidst political changes following the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. This concerning situation has sparked worries among human rights organizations and religious leaders about the deteriorating state of freedom and minority rights in the nation.
The Global Human Rights Defense (GHRD) is deeply disturbed and gravely concerned by the recent wave of violent attacks targeting religious minorities across Bangladesh. These deplorable incidents, which have involved the destruction of homes, places of worship, and businesses belonging to Hindu, Ahmadiyya, and other minority communities, represent a grave violation of human rights and a serious threat to the principles of tolerance, diversity, and peaceful coexistence.
A recent report, by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has highlighted the increasing concern about how misinformation’s impacting freedom globally. Titled “Misinformation and International Religious Freedom ” the report delves into how false information spread is being used to fuel intolerance, discrimination and violence against minority groups.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim community, in Bangladesh has been targeted by a series of attacks and persecution recently with violent mobs attacking their places of worship and residences.
These incidents took place in July following the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. In Panchagarh town a group of attackers vandalized an Ahmadiyya mosque causing damage to property and breaking windows. Similar assaults were reported in parts of the country including the capital city Dhaka.
In light of the alarming rise of antisemitism around the globe, a new committee affiliated with the United Nations called End Antisemitism and Promote Peace (EASAPP) has been formed and held its first meeting last week to elect its founding officers and board members.
In a turn of events involving violence and prejudice, against the Ahmadi community in Pakistan Dr. Abdul Salam, a respected Ahmadi physician was tragically killed outside his clinic in Gujrat. This unfortunate incident occurred on July 27 2024 shedding light on the entrenched persecution experienced by the Ahmadi minority in Pakistan.
The announcement made on July 11 2024 by UN experts urging the government to take immediate action to stop discrimination and violence, against religious minorities in the country is appreciated by CAP Freedom of Conscience.
The recent tragic incident, in Punjab province where 32 year old Mahmood Ahmad, a member of the Ahmadiyya minority community was fatally shot in Haroon Abad has again highlighted the challenges faced by this marginalized group in Pakistan. The assailants, who remain unidentified targeted Ahmad as he was on his way from a local market. This disturbing event underscores the threats and vulnerabilities experienced by Ahmadis living in the country.
