E-Bangladesh

[Saleem Samad, Canada]

Press freedom has always been a far cry in Bangladesh. Despite 15 years of rule under so-called democratically elected governments of Khaleda Zia and Shiekh Hasina. Both of them did not enough to punish the perpetrators of the press. Thus the heads of state along with other elected leaders were dubbed by New York based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) as “democra-tators”.

Bangladesh, a year under de facto military rule has kept themselves in power by exercising emergency rule and trimmed the constitution to fit thyself.

Therefore, press watchdogs and human rights group does not expect the military installed interim government will attempt to free the press, so long as emergency rule exist.

Paris based press watchdog Reporter Sans Frontieres (RSF) has published their 2008 annual document, and Bangladesh press freedom report described as appalling.

“A state of emergency was declared on 11 January and the country’s TV and radio were ordered to stop broadcasting their news programmes for two days. When the government faced student demonstrations at the end of August, it banned stations from broadcasting talk shows and political programmes. Army intelligence services officers summoned editorial heads and threatened them with draconian criminal proceeding, including under Article 5 of the State of Emergency Regulations. CSB News and Ekushey TV were ordered by the Press Information Department not to broadcast “provocative” reports and commentaries.”

Blanket censorship was imposed by the military backed government caused immense damage to independent newspapers, private radio and television channels. The credibility of news sources published by newspapers and broadcast were questioned. Sources of most news were attributed to state security agents for feeding the media, as part of misinformation campaign.

The private television channels took much of the brunt’s of the emergency. Couple of TV channels blacked out on the screen, after their owners were arrested for alleged corruption, evading taxes, and money laundering. While CSB channel in October 2007 was knocked out of the air for improper registration and having forged documents.

In addition the private channels were barred from broadcast of the popular talk shows live. The authorities imposed so-called media guideline, which the channels bosses were asked to swallow, as they have seen fates of other TV channels.

Reporter Without Border (RSF) in a summary on Bangladesh that there is…

“a drop in the number of physical assaults and death threats was eclipsed by dozens of cases of arrests, maltreatment and censorship committed by the army against independent journalists. The interim government and the military put an end to political disorder but at the price of serious violations of press freedom.”

Apparently, there is no incident of murder of journalist in 2007, but the interim government did not take any steps to ensure justice to nearly a dozen journalists silenced for their pen in the last 15 years. Rather the families of the deceased journalists were so frustrated that they have given up all hopes to get any justice from the justice system.

“There was a sharp decrease in the number of journalists physically attacked or receiving death threats from political militants and criminals. On the other hand, arrests increased markedly, with almost 40 cases in 2007. And the army, the real power in the country, committed serious press freedom violations aimed at silencing independent journalists.”

The worst scenario was arbitrary detention and torture of journalists in judicial custody by dreaded state security agency DGFI (Directorate General of Forces Intelligence) and the elite anti-crime squad RAB (Rapid Action Battalion).

At least two journalists have been detained and tortured by DGFI and another by RAB. In both cases the journalists also worked for a rights group and international media. Obviously the authorities are nervous with any journalists who have extra hats. One as defender of human rights and another stringer for international press. The state security agencies know only one solution – imbibe a sense of fear by intimidation and repression, which the chiefs does not understand it backfires and of course stains the effort of the reform seeking government.

Tasneem Khalil, a journalist with the independent English newspaper The Daily Star had also worked as correspondent with the influential TV station CNN. His crime was investigating extra-judicial killing of suspects and alleged criminals by elite RAB. He was physically tortured and intimidated. He recounted his ordeal in DGFI secret cell which has been published by New York based Human Rights Watch in early February.

Whereas Jahangir Alam Akash, correspondent of pro-secular newspaper Dainik Sangbad based in Rajshahi, northern town and also correspondent of German radio Deutsch Welle. He was detained for alleged extortion, which has yet to be proved in any competent court of law.

He also investigated an extra-judicial killing of a student leader by elite RAB, which prompted the anti-crime squad officer (of Bangladesh Army), was arrested by army officers on 24 October.

“He was released on bail on 19 November and spoke about the hell he had lived through at an army camp. ‘Officers and soldiers tortured me for several hours: electric shocks, blows to my legs. I couldn’t walk for a week,’ he said.”

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Aleksandr Pavlenko and Roman Pavlyuchenko scored, as Spartak Moskva won 2-0 at home against Marseille,and were yet knocked out of the competiotion as Marseille edge through with 2-3 on aggregate.

The Russian side was looking forward to capitalize on Marseille’s 3-0 loss in the Ligue 1 fixture last week. Marseille were humbled in Moscow when Pavlenko scored in the 39th minute and Pavlyuchenko scoring with just five minutes remaining, but Marseille hung on to their 3-0 win on the 1st leg to scrape through to the next round.

Marseille have been excellent form this year as they won consecutive matches in Ligue 1 to push themselves from the bottom half of the table to the top half. They were beaming with confidence and it showed as they started the game off in great attacking fashion. Even when midfielder Charles Kaboré was injured it didn’t stop them to create a host of chances. Matthieu Valbuena led the way for the French side as he came awefully close to scoring when his shot hit the post with the goalkeeper Stipe Pletikosa nowhere near the ball.

Shortly afterwards Valbuena had another with his shot over the bar and the next time forcing a save from the keeper. Cisse came very close to scoring for Marseille as his shot was just wide in the 19th minute. Spartak came alive only towards the end of the half when Welliton made Mandanda work for the 1st time, followed by a goal from Pavlenko to put them 1-0 ahead before half-time. Confusion was caused in Marseille’s defence from a cross and Pavlenko took full advantage volleying the ball in the top corner.

In the second half Spartak started where they left off dominating possession and looking for reducing their deficit of goals on aggregate, but failed to unrest Mandanda. With just 5 minutes to go Marseille had to cope with a strenuous finish to the game as Pavlyuchenko scored from close range giving his side a chance to draw level on aggregate, in the end it was not to be.

[By: Shahnawaz Alam]

Photo: Getty Images

Photo: Tortured Journalist Tasneem Khalil

Update: Tasneem Khalil’s interview by Arafatul Islam of DW-WORLD is added.

[An E-Bangladesh commentary.]

Human Rights Watch, the international Human rights watchdog that conducts research and advocacy on human rights published today an exclusive report on tortures in Bangladesh. This report presents the testimony of Tasneem Khalil, a Bangladeshi journalist and the representative of CNN and Human Rights Watch in Bangladesh, recounting his torture at the hands of Bangladesh’s military intelligence agency, the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI).

Human Rights Watch says:

“To our knowledge, this is the most detailed public account of a case of torture in Bangladesh available anywhere. It demonstrates the nature of ongoing state-sponsored violence in Bangladesh, including the torture of critics of the current government.
What happened to Tasneem Khalil – which, sadly, is not uncommon – makes clear that when it comes to human rights a critical part of what was promised is not being fulfilled. After one year, the state of emergency not only remains in place but is being used to limit political party activity and restrict freedom of expression and assembly, with torture a frequent consequence for those who do not toe the line and end up in the custody of the security services.

Increased domestic and international pressure to end such abuses cannot await elections or formation of a new government. The fundamental rights set out in the Constitution should be immediately restored and respected. Ending illegal arrests and torture should not await an election. These should be a top priority of the interim government. Those members of the security forces who have been responsible for such egregious human rights violations should be brought to justice.”

Read the horrid accounts of abuses against Tasneem Khalil here . Read how he was terrorized and maligned after his release due to international pressure only to find recluse in exile. You can also download the full report (pdf format) available in the Human Rights Watch Website.

The Football Association has put a halt on the Premier Leagues plans to play their games overseas calling it unsustainable. The FA recently had a meeting on Thursday to further discuss the plan for the “39th game” of the Premier League. Reports suggest that a great amount of changes are needed in this plan for this game to win approval.

Lord Treisman, the FA chairman, said “At the moment we have not seen a sustainable plan to which we can agree. If the Premier League has things it wants to say about changes or new variants, well then they will come forward. But personally, I would prefer it happened sooner rather than later, because I don’t want this to drift on particularly as we are to launch our World Cup bid (for 2018).

“In general I think uncertainty is not very helpful if it goes on for any length of time, but that is a matter for them. The whole of the process, I think, certainly does require some fresh thinking and some really substantive answers to the questions posed.”

[By: Shahnawaz Alam]

Photo: Techdigest.tv

The match between Arsenal FC and AC Milan at the Emirates stadium in North London ended in a goalless draw making it evenly balanced as they face each other again at the San Siro in Milan in a fortnight’s time. Arsenal Manager Arsene Wenger called this 1st round knock out round the “ultimate test” as his young team plays against the European Champions.

Zeljko Kalac showed his true class as he kept the clean sheet from the attacks engineered by the Gunners, although he must feel blessed as Adebayor’s header in the closing moments hit the top post. The introduction of Pato gave Milan a new dimension of attacking football. He was quick to be involved in the assault as he forced a corner in the 8th minute. Kolo Toure blocked the shot from Pato giving away a corner, but injuring himself in the process. The old boys Jens Lehmann, 38, and Paulo Maldini, 39, showed that there is still a lot to offer as Maldini’s header from the corner was on target before Lehmann springed to action to tip it away.

Even after the departure of Toure, Arsene Wenger pressed his side forward as they bombarded their attacks in the early stages. Despite plenty of possession the chances created were very few as the the ball stayed mostly near the midfield. Andrea Pirlo and Gennaro Gatusso kept Fabregas in check making Arsenal feel their presence through harsh tackles. In the early stages of the game, Fabregas played a through pass to the prolific young striker Adebayor who failed to work Kalac by shooting over the bar. Kalac’s first real save for Milan was when Flamini went for a low drive and he was quick to punch it away.

Flamini kept Kaka pretty quiet before he pressed forward and forced another save by Kalac and getting a reaction of cheers and whistles from the crowd. But just before that the greatest amount of went to Philippe Senderos as he blocked Pato who ran into the box with blazing speed and then a crunching challenge to stop Kaka.

Five minutes into the second half and another defender was injured. This time it was Alessandro Nesta for Milan, who was replaced by Marek Jankulovski. Kakha Kaladze gave Milan a horrific scare as he almost headed into his own net from a corner. Soon within a few more minutes to follow Emmanuel Eboue curled his effort just centimeters wide. The hosts were cut short of cheering for the first goal as Adebayor found the net just before he was ruled off-side.

Milan struggled to get out of their own half as Arsenal played their possessive football leaving Kaka and Pato completely isolated up front for Milan. Even after that they were threatening Arsenal with having his shot just wide on the 69th minute and Pato causing an adrenaline rush among the Gunners defenders with his efforts. The Hero of the game was Milan’s Goalkeeper Kalac, saving Fabregas’ low shot on the 75th minute and Adebayor’s last minute header hot the post and out.

[By: Shahnawaz Alam]

Photo: www.Uefa.com

[Sushanta Das Gupta, UK]

Reporters Without Borders has released their 2008 Annual Report on Bangladesh. Among their major concerns this year are the rise of the military government, the lack of freedom of press, threats to media personnel and the torture of journalists:

Bangladesh - Annual report 2008
Area: 144,000 sq km.
Population: 144,460,000.
Languages: Bengali, English.
Head of state: Iajuddin Ahmed.

A drop in the number of physical assaults and death threats was eclipsed by dozens of cases of arrests, maltreatment and censorship committed by the army against independent journalists. The interim government and the military put an end to political disorder but at the price of serious violations of press freedom.

There was a sharp decrease in the number of journalists physically attacked or receiving death threats from political militants and criminals. On the other hand, arrests increased markedly, with almost 40 cases in 2007. And the army, the real power in the country, committed serious press freedom violations aimed at silencing independent journalists. The government constantly stated that the media had a role to play in the fight against corruption and social injustice, but these good intentions were confounded and, in a new development, self-censorship began gradually to be applied to political issues. “Some asserted that the media was becoming the parliament in the absence of a government formed by elections. Others welcomed the emergence of a fourth estate. But one thing in the media was missing: critical articles on the current administration, clearly demonstrating the existence of censorship and self-censorship”, the Bangladesh Centre for Development, Journalism and Communication (BCDJC), a Reporters Without Borders partner organisation, said in one of its recent reports.

Censorship imposed at every political convulsion

A state of emergency was declared on 11 January and the country’s TV and radio were ordered to stop broadcasting their news programmes for two days. When the government faced student demonstrations at the end of August, it banned stations from broadcasting talk shows and political programmes. Army intelligence services officers summoned editorial heads and threatened them with draconian criminal proceeding, including under Article 5 of the State of Emergency Regulations. CSB News and Ekushey TV were ordered by the Press Information Department not to broadcast “provocative” reports and commentaries. A management figure at ATN Bangla told Reporters Without Borders, “The ban on talk shows is a disaster. While there is no parliament, political broadcasts are the best way for citizens to comment on the government’s decisions.”

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Photo: Shaheed Minar, a solemn and symbolic sculpture erected in the place of the massacre. The monument is the symbol of Bangladesh Nationalism.

[Rezwan, Germany]

Today is the International Mother Language Day, an annual event in UNESCO member states to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism. This is mostly the international recognition of the Language Movement Day called ‘Ekushey February’, which is commemorated in Bangladesh since 1952. The date of 21st February was chosen in homage to a number of ‘language martyrs’ from Bangladesh (then East Pakistan) who were shot on 21st February 1952 in Dhaka, during public protest. They were demonstrating to establish their mother language Bangla as a national language along with Urdu, which was chosen as the sole official language in the then newly created Pakistan.

How important is the mother language?

Our mother tongue is more than a language, a soul inside us. It is an armory of the human mind; an archive of the history. We invent the world through language.

Mrunalini feats her mother tongue Telugu:

“How sweet our languages are, how proud they make us. How much we miss talking in our mother tongue. Especially, when we are away from it.”

Ripon Kumar Biswas in Bangladesh watchdog says:

“Mother tongue is the language of nature, which is intimately related to the individual because it is structured and upheld by local laws of nature, which structure the physiology of the individual.”

But it is even more than that. “One does not inhabit a country; one inhabits a language. That is our country, our fatherland –and no other;” said E. M. Cioran, the Rumanian-born French Philosopher.
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[William Sloan with Bangladesh Awami League leaders, Photo from Banglar Chokh] 

[Dhaka Correspondent]

William Sloan, President of Canada Chapter of American Association of Jurist(AAJ), currently visiting Bangladesh, was denied entry to a special court on February 19.

Sloan, also an international human rights lawyer, went to the special judge’s court set up at the Jatiya Sangsad (parliament) premises at about 2:00 pm, but the security personnel did not let him in where the court is housed.

“I am disappointed being denied access to the court to observe the trial of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,” Sloan told reporters at the gate of the MP Hostel on the Jatiya Sangsad complex.

He said, “By not allowing me to enter the courtroom it has been proved that this is not a public trial… Nasty things happen in the dark.”

It is imperative to ensure transparency in the trial of the former prime minister, he observed.

Sloan said he had witnessed many important trials around the world, but this was for the second time in his life he had been obstructed in such cases. Earlier he was barred from witnessing the trial of dictator General Pinochet of Chile.

“This is a very bad thing. This is not a public trial. There is nothing to hide. Why are the proceedings held behind closed doors? This is not a good sign. I am very disappointed,” Sloan remarked.

Reacting to the obstruction of Sloan, Hasina’s counsel Shafique Ahmed told reporters that William Sloan did not come here as a lawyer of Hasina, but to watch the trial process as a jurist.

“This will raise the question about the transparency of the Bangladeshi judicial system before the international community,” he said. “It will undermine the image of Bangladesh abroad.”

Police inspector Salahuddin Khan, who was on duty, said Sloan had been barred from entering the courtroom as he came to Bangladesh as a tourist.

“If any foreigner comes to Bangladesh on a tourist visa, he requires permission from the Special Branch to visit any protected area,” the police official explained.

Asked how Canadian lawyer Payam Akhavan had entered the courtroom to witness Hasina’s trial in the Taka 2.99 crore extortion case late January, the officer said he did not have any information on him at that time.

Christiano Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic have both scored 5 goals apiece in the UEFA Champions league as they head into the first knockout round this week as the top scorers. They will be eager to pile on their goal tally for personal and also Champions league Glory.

The FC Internazionale Milano Striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Manchester Uniter FC winger Christiano Ronaldo started similar amount of games in the group stage to pile up 5 goals each ahead of ten players who netted 4 goals, where all but two remain in the competition. Ibrahimovic scored all of his goals so far in Milan, a record he hopes to end when Inter face Liverpool in Anfield. Ronaldo is looking forward to carry his good away form to Stade Gerland as Manchester United face Olympique Lyonnais, as 3 of his 5 goals came away from home.

Among all the players who scored four goals are Goran Pandev from S.S. Lazio and Liedson from Sporting Club de Potugal, whose teams have been eliminated from the competition, and the Real Madrid forward Ruud Van Nistelrooy, who scored a record of 12 goals in the 02/03 season for Manchester United. Last season’s top scorer Kaka was the only one besides van Nistelrooy to get double figures as he scored 10 goals for Milan, this season he holds 2 goals to his name. The leading all-time goal scorer for the Champions League Raul Gonzalez scored 3 goals in the group stages and moves his career total to 59.

[by Shahnawaz Alam]
Photo: Football-wallpapers.com

[Dhaka Correspondent]

The police escorted the coffin of Manna out of the Dhaka for burial in home town Tangail after at least 50 people were injured in sporadic clashes at the gate of the BFDC  between fans of the popular film actor and police.

[Police and RAB are in action, Photo from Banglar Chokh]

Film star Aslam Talukdar Manna was buried at his family graveyard in Tangail on Monday.

A United Hospital ambulance carried the body to Tangail amid tight security after his first namaz-e-janaza was held at the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation at 11:00am.

Film directors, producers and artistes attended the janaza.  

A large number of people also gathered in front of the BFDC to pay their last respect to the hero who died of a massive heart attack on Sunday.

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