Odhikar, FORUM-ASIA’s member in Bangladesh, urges the Caretaker Government of their country to end the harassment faced by university students at the hands of army personnel.
Odhikar expresses its deep concern at the actions of police and Army personnel undertaken yesterday and today in response to protests by students of Dhaka University and other educational institutions who were protesting against the mal-treatment of students and a teacher by Army personnel and calling for Army camps to be removed from Dhaka University Campus.

The actions of the law enforcements agencies as broadcast on television today, including hurling stones at protesting students, are not only inappropriate crowd-control measures but also demonstrate a lack of discipline in controlling law and order. 

Odhikar finds logical, the students’ demands for a stop to harassment by security forces and a return to University control of Dhaka University facilities.  Such steps are necessary in order to restore the dignity due to an educational institution.

Odhikar calls on the Caretaker Government to launch an independent investigation into the actions of the police and Army personnel in relation to these incidents.  If any evidence of wrong doing is uncovered the authorities should prosecute those responsible.

ASM Nasiruddin Elan
Acting Director
Odhikar