British Parliament Protests Against the Killing of Religious Minorities in Bangladesh and Demanding the Release of Chimmoy Prabhu
The Secular Bangladesh Movement UK held a protest meeting and human chain in front of the UK Parliament. The event, held on Wednesday (February 19), was attended by Bangladeshi expatriates who believe in the spirit of Bangladesh's Liberation War and are vocal in favor of human rights and democracy.
The main objective of the protest meeting and human chain was to protest against the ongoing persecution, attacks on homes, planned massacres, property grabbing, rape and human rights violations against religious and ethnic minorities in Bangladesh. In particular, the event was organized to protest against the prolonged detention of Hindu religious monk Chinmoy Das in prison without trial on false charges and the suppression of the democratic movement of the Hindu community.
The rally called on the appropriate authorities of the UK Parliament to apply pressure on the Bangladesh government as part of the Commonwealth's responsibility to protect the human rights of all minority communities.
The rally was led by Pushpita Gupta, chairman of Secular Bangladesh UK. Leaders of cultural and social organizations of the British-Bangladeshi community were present at the program.
The main speakers at the rally were community activists Syed Enam Islam, Shah Newaz, Swarup Sham Chowdhury, Gyan Gupta, Atish Saha, Ram Saha, Nishit Sarkar, Mina Chakraborty, Suranjit Gupta, Abdul Ahad Chowdhury, Sujit Chowdhury and Jamal Khan.
Community activist Sujit Chowdhury spoke on behalf of the Bangladesh Hindu Association UK expressing solidarity. Labour Party leader Swarup Chowdhury Shibu also spoke.
The speakers said, "Chinmoy Das must be released immediately. The planned attacks, killings, arson, rape, property grabbing, forced removal from jobs and political oppression against religious and ethnic minorities must be stopped immediately." The Bangladesh government must take effective steps to protect the rights of minorities and the international community must play a more active role in the human rights situation in Bangladesh.’
The program called for raising international awareness in favor of human rights and religious tolerance in Bangladesh. The speakers called on all democratic forces in Bangladesh to unite and stand against communal oppression and repression.