Title: Protect Hindus, Amnesty to Bangla govt
Author:  
Publication: Times of India
Date: Dec 7, 2001
URL: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow.asp?art_id=1455525249

LONDON: Bangladesh's government must take urgent action to protect the Hindu minority following weeks of grave human rights abuses, Amnesty International said on Wednesday.

Before the general election in October, the Hindu community was targeted, reportedly by supporters of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) for their perceived support for the rival Awami League. The backlash after the elections was systematic and severe. 

Successive governments have let down the Hindu minority in Bangladesh and the last two months show exactly how vulnerable the Hindu community is. The government must live up to its responsibility to protect all of its citizens and it must do it now, the Amnesty International said.

Hundreds of Hindu families have fled across the border into India in fear of their lives. 

The government has reportedly set up a committee to investigate the ongoing attacks on the Hindu community but Amnesty is not aware of any progress it has made.

Amnesty International is calling on the government to take decisive action to protect the Hindu community. Specifically it should initiate a full, independent and impartial investigation into the attacks and bring to justice those responsible for them. 

( PTI )