Resolution introduced in US Congress urges Bangladesh to protect rights of minorities; stop Jamaat, extremists

A bipartisan resolution has been introduced in the US Congress calling on the Bangladesh government to protect human rights of minorities, including Hindus, and prevent growth of extremist groups.

It also calls for stopping activities of Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir, terming them a threat to Bangladesh’s secularism, democracy and stability.

Tulsi Gabbard, a Democrat congresswoman and member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific, introduced the bipartisan resolution on Wednesday.

It was supported by the Subcommittee’s chief Congressman Matt Salmon and Illinois Republican Congressman Bob Dold.

In her introductory speech on the floor of the house, Indian-origin Gabbard said, “I am particularly concerned over issues of religious freedom, and specifically, attacks against minority Hindus, Christians, Buddhists, and others, in Bangladesh.

“All too often perpetrators of crimes against minorities go unpunished.”

In her support, Dold said, “The United States has an obligation to send the unequivocal message that we will not tolerate countries that fail to protect the fundamental freedoms of all citizens, especially minorities.”

“In Bangladesh, there is great potential.

“Through this resolution, we have encouraged Bangladesh to embrace non-violent democratic competition and rule of law, and to shirk political violence and religious extremism,” Salmon said in support of the resolution.

A number of organisations including US Hindu-Bouddha-Christian Oikya Parishad, the Centre for Enquiry, American Humanist Association, Mukto-mona, Drishtipat, Delaware Valley Bangladeshi Association, Secular Coalition of America and Hindu-American Foundation have long been lobbying for this resolution.

A key organiser of Hindu-Bouddha-Christian Oikya Parishad, Shitangshu Guha told bdnews24.com the resolution emphasised mostly on curbing extremism in the name of religion.