MSF Report: Political Violence and Human Rights Violations in November Declined but Internal Conflicts on the Rise

Human Rights Culture Foundation (MSF) reported a decline in political violence in November compared to October but highlighted growing concerns over intra-party disputes and attacks on political activists. The findings, based on media reports and MSF's collected data, were published in its monthly Human Rights Monitoring Report on Saturday.

Political Violence Statistics

The report documented 39 incidents of political violence in November, affecting 414 individuals, with 7 fatalities and 407 injuries. Among the injured, 17 sustained bullet wounds.

• The deceased included 1 woman and 6 men, all affiliated with the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
• A breakdown of political violence reveals:
  • 28 incidents were due to intra-party conflicts within BNP.
  • 5 clashes occurred between BNP and the ruling Awami League (AL).
  • 1 clash involved internal AL disputes.
  • Other incidents involved confrontations between BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami, and other groups.

Additionally, 36 attacks on political activists were recorded:

• 13 fatalities and 43 injuries resulted from these attacks.
• Of the deceased:
  • 9 were AL members, 3 were from BNP, and 1 belonged to Jamaat-e-Islami.
  • Six deaths were attributed to criminal activities, four to political revenge, and three under mysterious circumstances.

Conflicts in Educational Institutions

The report highlighted an alarming trend of violence in educational institutions over trivial disputes such as disagreements about transportation or personal grievances.

• At least four major clashes were reported across schools, colleges, and universities, leaving 222 individuals injured, including students, women, and children.

Press Freedom Under Threat

MSF expressed grave concerns about the state of press freedom, citing 32 incidents of human rights violations against journalists in November.

• 18 journalists faced physical assaults or injuries while on duty.
• 9 journalists were harassed or threatened.
• Legal challenges included:
  • A journalist charged under an explosives case.
  • A contempt of court rule issued against three journalists from the Jugantor daily.

Additionally, 5 journalists were injured while covering clashes during protests and other events.

Border-Related Issues

The report condemned the ongoing killings, abductions, and assaults by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF). MSF criticized the lack of effective measures to curb such incidents, which continue to perpetuate human rights abuses along the border.

Violence Against Women and Children

Despite stringent laws, violence against women and children remains a pressing concern. MSF noted a marginal decline in cases of rape and sexual harassment in November. However, incidents of suicide, murder, domestic violence, and physical abuse have increased.

• A total of 320 cases of violence against women and children were reported in November, marking an increase of 32 cases from October.
  • This includes:
    • 29 cases of rape, with 7 being gang rapes.
    • 5 victims were differently-abled minors.
    • 2 cases involved rape followed by murder.

MSF criticized law enforcement agencies for failing to take visible, decisive actions to curb these crimes.

MSF's Call to Action

The foundation expressed deep frustration over the persistent human rights violations and urged the authorities to ensure:

• Political tolerance and peaceful assembly.
• Freedom of expression.
• Equal treatment for all citizens.
• Improved safety and security for the public.

MSF emphasized the urgent need for effective measures to combat violence and uphold democratic practices, stressing that such efforts are crucial for fostering a secure and equitable society.