Islamists targeting Hindus, Ahmadiyya communities in Bangladesh, claims Human Rights Watch report

In its report titled 'After the Monsoon Revolution: A Roadmap to Lasting Security Sector Reform in Bangladesh', the body said the South Asian country is seeing a 'disturbingly familiar pattern' of security force abuses and political reprisals, this time targeting perceived Awami League supporters.

Hasina fled to India on August 5, ending the rule of Awami League which governed the nation for the longest period since the country was formed in 1971.

Referring to the attack on minorities, the report said: "Ethnic minorities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts endure continued discrimination and violence by the authorities."

The report mentioned the manner journalists were targeted by the new regime led by Muhammad Yunus and said: "As of November, authorities had filed murder charges against at least 140 journalists in relation to their reporting on the Monsoon Revolution and scrapped more than 150 press accreditations required to attend official events."

HRW referred to the arrest of Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das over sedition charges as a 'worrying indication for freedom of expression' in Bangladesh.

"Das’s arrest came at a time when there is growing concern over attacks on Hindu minorities," the report said.

Proposing reforms, HRW said the Yunus-led government should seek assistance by inviting UN and other experts to investigate and provide recommendations.

"It should, most urgently, back a consensus resolution at the Human Rights Council to ensure continued monitoring and reporting by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to prevent future governments from undermining the reforms," the report said.

Elaine Pearson, Asia director at Human Rights Watch, urged  the interim government to follow the path of implementing swift and structural reforms that can withstand any repression by future governments.

“Nearly 1,000 Bangladeshis lost their lives fighting for democracy, ushering in a landmark opportunity to build a rights-respecting future in Bangladesh,” Pearson said.

The New York-based human rights body said the recommendations are based on over 20 years of its research and documentation in Bangladesh as well as recent interviews with human rights activists, members of the interim government, and current and former law enforcement and military officials.