UPDATE: Bangladesh: The position of the Ahmadiyya (Qadiani) community continues to deteriorate
The position of the Ahmadiyya (Qadiani) community in Bangladesh continues to deteriorate rapidly, raising grave concerns for their safety.
We therefore urge you to respond with increased pressure on the Bangladesh Government regarding their duty to protect minority communities.
In December 2003 we circulated an alert for action regarding attacks on the community. The Bangladesh Government has now banned all Ahmediya (Qadiani) publications and the level of persecution - both by the government and by non-state groups - is increasingly daily.
As WLUML has seen in Pakistan and other contexts, persecution of Ahmadiyya (Qadiani) groups and other minorities has been frequently used by governments as a means of diverting attention away from real political and economic problems facing the people. Extreme Right politico-religious groups have also raised questions regarding the status of the Ahmadiyya (Qadiani) community as a means of monopolising local politics and of pressurising governments. The violence that has followed such develops has terrorised all peace-loving citizens - minority as well as majority - in these countries.
In December 2003 we circulated an alert for action regarding attacks on the community. The Bangladesh Government has now banned all Ahmediya (Qadiani) publications and the level of persecution - both by the government and by non-state groups - is increasingly daily.
As WLUML has seen in Pakistan and other contexts, persecution of Ahmadiyya (Qadiani) groups and other minorities has been frequently used by governments as a means of diverting attention away from real political and economic problems facing the people. Extreme Right politico-religious groups have also raised questions regarding the status of the Ahmadiyya (Qadiani) community as a means of monopolising local politics and of pressurising governments. The violence that has followed such develops has terrorised all peace-loving citizens - minority as well as majority - in these countries.
For more information, please read the original alert issued in December 2003.
Also see the 13 January 2004 press release by Drishtipat on the banning of books by the Ahmadiyya movement.
Also see the 13 January 2004 press release by Drishtipat on the banning of books by the Ahmadiyya movement.
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