What's happening in Bangladesh?

Courtesy of: Station 71.13

Saiydee sentenced to death

Al-Jazeera on Shahbag Movement

The Stream - Bangladesh's rising voices is presented by Al Jazeera's English Channel featuring Shahbag Movement . It shows how the young generation has pioneered this momentous event through virtual advocacy. Watch this 35 minute long video presented on 19 February 2013:

Bangladesh is Rising!

Yes, how can you deny this spontaneous crowd crying for justice? History has witnessed our resiliency, it's back again. The young generation has rekindled the spirit of 1971 to bring war criminals to justice.

Look back at 1971

This is an hour-long documentary on the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971 presented by the ATN Bangla. Watch it here:

Bangladeshi war criminals in the USA

Audacity of the supporters of Bangladeshi war criminals in the USA

During 1971 Bangladesh's war of liberation, a handful of hardcore Islamic militants carried on genocide in Pakistan occupied Bangladesh. In the name religion, they helped the brutal Pakistani army to perpetrate mass murder of innocent citizens and rape of women. Mr. Abul Kalam Azad is one of such notorious war criminals. Unfortunately, that despicable mass murderer is now a "respectable Islamic scholar" in Bangladesh. This happened because of certain historical events. On August 15 1975 the founding father of Bangladesh, the secular nationalist leader Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was assassinated along with his family members and other party members in a pro-Pakistani military coup. After the coup, the country suddenly went to pro-Pakistani (to some extent soft on Islamism) direction.

Abul Kalam Azad and many brutal Islamist killers of 1971 emerged from their hideouts. Some of them were inside the country living underground. Some of them were living in countries like Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. After 1975, the country of Bangladesh witnessed the expansion of Islamist and war criminal lobby, which were rejected by the people in 1971. One after another Bangladeshi military generals with a pro-Pakistani political persuasion ruled the country with iron fist. On the one hand they curtailed democratic freedom to a large extent, on the other the war criminals of 1971 were given enough opportunity to organize and strengthen their constituency. Thus Bangladeshi Islamist lobby gradually got a strong foothold in a number of Western countries. It goes without saying, their tentacles reached the heartland of the United States. That is why, Abul Kalam Azad does not have any problem visiting USA quite frequently. He was in this country in August of last year (2008)(source: deshivoice).

He is back in USA a few days ago. On January 24th, 2009 he had the golden opportunity to give a speech in the Muslim Community Center mosque in Silver Spring, Maryland. Presence of a few demonstrators in front of the mosque let him know loud and clear that his fundraising activity to strengthen Islamist lobby will not go unchallenged.

On 25th January, 2009, this killer of 1971, was invited to speak in a Mosque's Fundraising Dinner in New York. The program was scheduled in a basement of Tajmahal Restaurant, in Hillside, Jamaica, New York. Before the evening the place was crowded by expat Pakistanis and Bangladeshis. In the meantime a number of expatriate Bangladeshi activists staged a demonstration outside the restaurant. One after another activist was rendering speech detailing the war crime this "Islamic scholar" committed in nine months of 1971. As one of the concluding speakers was finishing his speech, a few supporters of Abul Kalam Azad started to hurl insults to the speakers. They were quite amazingly accompanied by another very notorious mass murderer of Bangladeshis, now a US citizen, Ashrafuzzaman Khan.

A scuffle broke out between the two parties. One of the activists was seriously injured. His nose was bleeding visibly. In the meantime the police came to scene. One of the supporters of Abul Kalam Azad/Ashrafuzzaman Khan was arrested. An updated report says, the "Islamic scholar" could not make it to give his fundraising sermon. The owner of the restaurant, a freedom fighter of Bangladesh war of liberation, did not mind to cancel the event thus losing six thousand dollars in this economic crisis period.

Below you will find the first link to the press conference of the activists regarding the incidence. Please note, the speeches were given in Bengali:



Now you will see the link to the scuffle and police intervention:

An American Jailed in Bangladesh

In early 1992, 18-year-old Lia McCord got an offer she couldnt refuse.: Go to Bangladesh, pick up some packages and return home to Texas with $20,000. Simple. However, the packages were in fact heroin and her contact was violent and controlling. Following a botched escape from her hotel McCord was arrested at Zia International Airport in Dhaka with 7 lbs. of heroin strapped to her body. It was then that her descent into hell really began. She narrowly escaped the death penalty, but was sentenced to 30 years. As a model prisoner, she came to the attention of Congressman Bill Richardson, who appealed to the President of Bangladesh. It was successful, and she was released in July 1996. She now lives and works near Washington DC.

Watch her story here from National Geographic:

Celebration after Professors Release

Watch the following news coverage after the release of Dhaka University Professors:



Bdnews24 reports:

Prof Anwar Hossain, one of the three teachers convicted by a Dhaka court and later pardoned by President Iajuddin Ahmed, said: "This verdict is not only against some teachers of Dhaka University. It is against the whole Dhaka University community, the conscience of the nation."

"I did not want to come out of jail. Then the jail authorities tried to force me out as per the Jail Code. Later they informed me that all students would be released by tomorrow (Wednesday)."

"Nobody can gag the voice of conscience. We will join a teacher-student-guardian solidarity rally at the Aparajeyo Bangla tomorrow."

The teacher said he would narrate the picture of alleged torture in custody to the national and international media.

"We did not do any injustice. We protested injustice."

Prof Anwar thanked the members of the families of detained teachers for standing by them and supporting them with courage and patience.

Click here for more updated news:

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One eleven analysis Part-2

(Click here to watch the first part of One eleven analysis at Tritio Matra)

The leading political leaders, educators and a former adviser are talking about the army backed caretaker government's one year anniversary in Bangladesh. Dr. Abdul Momen from the USA, Sheikh Shahidul Islam, Begum Motia Chowdhury, Professor Ataur Rahman, former adviser M. Hafizuddin Khan and Hasanul Haque Inu are discussing politics, democracy and the interim government at Tritio Matra presented by Zillur Rahman at Channel I.

One Eleven Analysis: Channel I

The leading political leaders, educators and a former adviser are talking about the army backed caretaker government's one year anniversary in Bangladesh. Dr. Abdul Momen from the USA, Sheikh Shahidul Islam, Begum Motia Chowdhury, Professor Ataur Rahman, former adviser M. Hafizuddin Khan and Hasanul Haque Inu are discussing politics, democracy and the interim government at Tritio Matra presented by Zillur Rahman at Channel I.

Expatriates review One Eleven

Watch this political discussion at ATN Bangla from January 14th about the army backed caretaker government's achievement in Bangladesh. Dr. Abdul Momen from the USA and Journalist Aminul Haque Badsha from the UK are talking about political changes and democratic prospects in Bangladesh.

Tribute to Selim Al Deen

Bangladesh has sadly lost one of its best stars. Professor Selim Al Deen, a legendry drama icon, passed away on January 15th at the age of 58. Daily Star reports, "Selim, a pioneer of theatre movement in Bangladesh, a researcher, an organiser and a professor of Department of Drama and Dramatics at Jahangirnagar University, was born in Shenerkhil village of Shonagazi upazila of Feni on August 18, 1949". "Bangla drama literature can be categorised into three eras -- the Girish era, the Shishir era and the Selim era. The Selim era has come to an end today," said Rahmat Ali, associate professor of Theatre and Music Department at Dhaka University.

Golam Kuddus, general secretary of Sammilito Sanskritik Jote, said, " Selim Al Deen started the modern drama movement and he is one of the best playwrights in Bangla literature."

Atiqul Haque Chowdhury, producer of Selim's first TV drama 'Ghum Nei' on BTV, said, "He was a world-class playwright and had contributed immensely to the Bangla literature. Shunning the western style, he gave a modern approach to the eastern drama. Bangladesh will not get a Selim Al Deen often."

Selim was a founder member of Dhaka Theatre. He along with Nasir Uddin Yusuf formed Bangladesh Gram Theatre in 1981-82 and Selim was its chief adviser.

His first article 'Negro Literature' was published on the literature page in the 'Dainik Pakistan' in 1968. His first radio drama ' Biporit Tomoshay' was broadcast in 1969 while his first TV drama 'Ghum Nei' in 1970.

He also compiled 'Bangla Natyakosh' -- the lone drama related anthology in Bangla. Selim Al Deen's drama is included in textbook curriculum of Dhaka University, Jahangirnagar University Jadavpur University and Rabindra Bharati University in India. He was also the originator of Fusion Theory and New Ethnic Theatre. Read Syed Badrul Ahsan's column paying respect to Professor Selim Al Deen.

Watch Professor Selim Al Deen's interview at NTV on the 50th program of Ki Kotha Tahar Sathe presented by Imdadul Haque Milon:

News analysis of a dramatic trial

বাংলাদেশে চলছে নাটকীয় বিচার। প্রাক্তন প্রধানমন্ত্রী শেখ হাসিনার বিরুদ্ধে চাঁদাবাজির মামলার প্রক্রিয়া শুরু হয়েছে। প্রধানমন্ত্রী থাকা অবস্থায় তিনি জনৈক আজম চৌধুরীর নিকট থেকে তিন কোটি চাঁদা নিয়েছেন বলে সামরিক সরকার তাঁর বিরুদ্ধে মামলা করেছে। অবশ্য সামরিক গোয়েন্দা বাহিনীর লোকজনের হাতে মামলাকারী উধাও হন। তারপর মামলা দায়ের করার পর পরই তিনি মু্ক্তি পেয়ে বাড়ী ফেরেন। বর্তমান সামরিক সরকার তাঁর হাঁটুতে নেমে আসা বুদ্ধি দিয়ে এই নাটকীয় মামলায় নেমেছে। এর আইনগত বা প্রামাণিক সত্যতা নিয়ে আইন বিশেষজ্ঞসহ সাধারণ মানুষের মনে যথেস্ট সংশয় ও প্রশ্ন আছে। আজকের চ্যানেল আইনে প্রচারিত আজকের সংবাদপত্রের আলোচনায় অবজার্ভার পত্রিকার সম্পাদক সাংবাদিক ইকবাল সোবহান চৌধুরীর আলোচনার ভিডিওটি এখানে দেখুন:



বর্তমান সামরিক সরকার তার মাইনাস ফর্মুলা বাস্তবায়নের জন্য যে প্রক্রিয়া আর পদ্ধতি গ্রহণ করেছে তা যথেস্ট হাস্যকর। এর ফলে সরকার যে বিচার ব্যবস্থার স্বচ্ছতাকে নির্মমভাবে বলি দিচ্ছে তা বলার অপেক্ষা রাখে না। বিচারের জন্য এধরণের রাখঢাক করে সাজানো মামলা দিয়ে সরকার নিজের রাজনৈতিক এজেন্ডাকে জনগণের কাছে স্পস্ট করছে। এই মামলার অভিযোগের দূর্বলতা ও অস্পস্টতার বিশদ বিশ্লেষণ করেছে এশিয়ান সেন্টার অব হিউম্যান রাইটস। অবশ্য সরকার তার পছন্দের পথে এগোবে। এর মধ্যে আছে নির্বোধদের ঔদ্ধত্য। তা হাস্যকর হলেও সমস্যা নেই। এর আইনগত দূর্বলতা থাকলেও সমস্যা নেই। গোয়ার্তুমির কাছে যুক্তি খাটে না।

Trial Episode 1: Sheikh Hasina

Watch today's news coverage on Sheikh Hasina's trial:


BDnews24 reports,

Earlier during the trial, Hasina said: "I know I won't get justice. I want justice from Allah and people."

"I have struggled all my life for democracy. I will struggle more. But I have never agreed to any military dictator's coming to power or becoming president. Military dictators have captured power in this country time and again."

Hasina described the chief adviser's address to the nation as a "lie".

"The chief adviser said the trial of politicians was going on under law. This is worse than trial. This is in-camera trial. This is against the constitution."

At the time, the judge intervened and told Hasina, "Instead of saying all this, tell us whether you are guilty or innocent."

The comment prompted lawyers to heckle the judge.

Hasina called for calm.

The Awami League president continued: "The Election Commission has said they will hold the election by December, as per their roadmap. However, where there is no road, where do you get the map?"

The embattled party chief also demanded the unconditional release of all students and teachers of Dhaka University detained following the campus unrest last August.

"Defaming a teacher is shameful for the nation. The nation will not tolerate this shame. They don't want the nation to become educated," she said.

To the judge, Hasina said: "Why is everything revealed to you from a special place. You have no power to do anything against them. If you do, you may be in trouble."

"I wanted to resist vote rigging by the four-party alliance in order to establish the people's right to vote. This is my big crime."

"I was abroad attending to my ailing daughter when the cases were filed against me. I was then told that if I did not return to the country the cases would be withdrawn against me."

"I am now facing these false cases because I refused to agree to their proposal," Hasina said.

The former premier said: "I don't know Azam Jahangir Chowdhury. I have never even met him. How then could I take bribe from him?"

"Around 4,300 megawatts of power were produced during my tenure. How was so much electricity produced if I took bribes?"

"I want to tell the nation through the court that I'm a daughter of the Father of the Nation."

"I myself became prime minister and have never taken one taka through corruption. I'm completely innocent. How can I tolerate such defamation?"

Hasina said she had given the family's Dhanmondi home to the nation and that 1,200 students were continuing their studies through the Bangabandhu Memorial Trust.

She claimed 982 students had had their education suspended due to the case.

Hasina claimed that she had not had full access to her lawyer: "I have been kept in solitary confinement," she said.

"Allah protected me from the attacks on August 15 and August 21. But now they want to kill me off politically. This case has been filed to smear me in front of the people," Hasina alleged.

News Coverage on One Year Anniversary

Watch the news coverage by NTV and Channel I on "One Year Anniversary" of the Army backed Caretaker Government in Bangladesh:

Victory Day Talk Show

Watch this wonderful talk show at ATN Bangla on December 16th. Joined by Hasanul Haque Inu and M M Akash

The Infamous Interview Part-3

The Infamous Interview -2

The Infamous Interview Part 1

Jamat denies its role in 1971

Fundamentalist Jamaat denies its role in 1971. Watch this video (Bangla) that shows how Jamaati war criminals collaborated with Pakistani army in mass killing in 1971:



Daily Star reports:

Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh yesterday said they did not work against the Liberation War in 1971 and claimed that there is no war criminal in the country.

"In fact anti-liberation forces never even existed," Jamaat Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid told reporters coming out of the talks with the Election Commission (EC) on electoral reforms.

According to newspaper reports, speeches and statements of those accused of war crimes, and the finds of different probes including the People's Enquiry Commission, Mujahid, who was president of East Pakistan Islami Chhatra Shangha and chief of the infamous Al Badr Bahini back in 1971, helped the occupying Pakistan army carry out massacre, looting and rape.

Only two days before the war ended, he led the killings of renowned academics, litterateurs, doctors, engineers, journalists and other eminent personalities with a view to leave the nation intellectually crippled.

Senior Jamaat leaders Abdus Sobhan, Moulana Delwar Hossain Sayeedi, Abdul Kader Molla and Muhammad Kamaruzzaman who were in the delegation to the EC yesterday have been charged with war crimes.

Jamaat Amir Matiur Rahman Nizami was the president of Islami Chhatra Shangha (Islamic Students' Organisation) in 1971. Al-Badr Bahini was set up under his direct supervision. He became the commander-in-chief of the paramilitary force designed to eliminate the freedom fighters, reads the report of the People's Enquiry Commission, a body formed in 1993 with eminent citizens to investigate into the activities of the war criminals and the collaborators.

Since the independence Jamaat had been constitutionally banned in Bangladesh till 1976.

Asked about the growing demand for declaring the anti-liberation forces and war criminals disqualified from contesting the national elections, the Jamaat secretary general yesterday said, "The constitution does not support the demand since Islam is the state religion and 90 percent of the population are Muslims. Besides, there is no war criminal in the country now."

Referring to the charges against them, Mujahid said, "These are all false and ill-motivated." He said after the Liberation War the then government had identified 195 people as war criminals and all of them were members of the Pakistan army.

Asked what role his party played during the war, he evaded a direct answer and instead asked the journalists to find it out. "No-one should give a distorted picture of the past," observed Mujahid, also a former minister.

Jamaat, which was in the last government as part of the BNP-led four-party alliance, participated in the electoral reform talks amid different political parties calling for the EC not to allow any religion-based political party to register with it.

In response to the call, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) ATM Shamsul Huda last month said though the war criminals should have been tried immediately after independence, successive governments did not move to bring them to trial.

Earlier on March 27, when some freedom fighters at a tea party demanded that the war criminals be prosecuted, Chief of Army Staff Gen Moeen U Ahmed said he would bring up the issue at meetings with the government high-ups.

JAMAAT DOUBTS POLLS ON TIME

During the talks at the EC Secretariat conference room, Jamaat said due to slow pace of the voter roll preparation the commission might not be able to implement its electoral roadmap that aims to hold the long-stalled parliamentary polls by December next year.

It placed a five-point recommendation including the one for having the voter list prepared by June through increased involvement of the armed forces, teachers, and imams of local mosques.

It suggested bringing about a democratic climate by allaying fear among the political parties.

People want the election to be held as early as possible. The sooner the polls, the better it is for the nation, argued the Jamaat leaders.

In reply, the EC assured them that they would take measures to speed up enumeration and a voter list with photographs would be ready in time.

JAMAAT FOR INCREASED POLLS EXPENDIUTRE
In its written proposals, Jamaat suggested that the EC raise the election expenditure ceiling for a candidate to Tk 25 lakh from present Tk 5 lakh.

"The election expenses are a major obstacle to honest candidates and political parties," the Jamaat secretary general noted adding that the current expenditure limit is silly.

The CEC said the EC wants to see the elections free from influence of money. "We have come up with the proposal for reducing the length of electioneering since it will bring down the expenditure," he said.

Jamaat also proposed setting the ceilings on donation to the political parties at Tk 10 lakh for an individual and Tk 50 lakh for an institution.

According to the EC proposals, no individual would be allowed to contribute more than Tk 5 lakh in cash or assets or service to a single registered political party while the amount will be no more than Tk 25 lakh for a contributing institution or a business entity.

JAMAAT FOR SIMPLER REGISTRATION PROCESS
The party demanded that the commission simplify the political parties' registration by scrapping all criteria proposed to that end. It wants the EC to allow every party to register and then place them under observation during the next national election to see if they qualify for registration.

The Jamaat leaders said registration of a political party should be cancelled if it fails to obtain at least two percent of the total votes cast in the polls.

They also opposed elections to upazila parishad before the parliamentary polls.