UNB, Dhaka: Worried at the recent killings, the international community and global rights groups have sought ‘effective and prompt’ investigations by law enforcement agencies to bring the perpetrators of the murders in Bangladesh to justice. Condemning the recent killings, they viewed that violent and brutal acts they have witnessed over the last few days need to be condemned by all political and religious leaders. The United Nations, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Denmark, Amnesty International (AI) and Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) have issued separate statements on Monday and Tuesday after the double murder in the city’s Kalabagan area. “Impunity will only contribute to a climate of intolerance and lead to further incidents of this kind,” said Robert D Watkins, UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh, in a statement on the recent killings of rights activists. Seeking effective and prompt investigations by law enforcement agencies to bring the perpetrators, he said all political and religious leaders need to condemn such violent and brutal acts. Watkins said the UN in Bangladesh is once again shocked by another series of brutal murders against people expressing alternative views. “There seems to be no end to these premeditated acts against an increasingly wide array of social activists.” In the most recent incident, he mentioned, Xulhaz Mannan and Mahbub Tonoy fell victims to violent and extremist acts. Both of them were hacked to death at an apartment in the city on Monday. Intolerance-related violence is increasing in Bangladesh and targeting a growing range of people whose views may not conform with those of the majority, said the UN Resident Coordinator. “This was also manifested just two days ago by the horrific killing of Prof Rezaul Karim Siddiquee from the University of Rajshahi,” the statement read. He said the principles of the United Nations stipulate that all individuals have an equal right to live free from violence, persecution, and discrimination. The US has offered full support to the government of Bangladesh in its investigation into the barbaric murder of Xulhaz and his friend to bring the perpetrators to justice. “We offer our full support to the government of Bangladesh as they investigate these murders and bring the perpetrators to justice,” said US Secretary of State John Kerry in a statement. He said they remain committed to the principles that were so important to Xulhaz, and they promise to support all those who work on behalf of tolerance and human rights in Bangladesh and around the world. “The men and women of the U.S. State Department join me today in condemning the barbaric murder of Xulhaz Mannan, a locally-hired employee of our embassy in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and another of his activist friends,” he was quoted as saying in a statement received here from the US Department of State. Kerry said they are profoundly saddened by the loss of one of their own in such a ‘senseless’ act of violence. “We extend our deepest condolences to Xulhaz’s family and loved ones.” Xulhaz, who worked for the United States Agency for International Development, was a trusted colleague, a beloved friend, and advocate for human rights and dignity in Bangladesh, he said. “In many ways, he embodied the spirit of the people of Bangladesh and the pride with which they guard their traditions of tolerance, peace, and diversity,” said the US Secretary of State. State Department Spokesperson John Kirby in a regular press briefing said they are outraged by the barbaric attack on Xulhaz, a beloved member of their embassy family and a courageous advocate for LGBTI rights and human rights. “An act like this is beyond words, unjustifiable, inexcusable. As we mourn his death, we celebrate Xulhaz’s life and everything he contributed to Bangladesh, to the United States, and to the global struggle for human rights and dignity,” he said. The Spokesperson expressed condolences for former US Embassy, Dhaka employee and activist Xulhaz. “And we pledge our support to Bangladeshi authorities to ensure that the cowards who did this are held accountable,” he said adding that Bangladesh is justifiably proud of its history as a moderate, tolerant, inclusive society that values the diversity of its people, culture, and religions. Kirby said this attack fundamentally seeks to undermine all that Bangladesh stands for and all that the Bangladeshi people have strived to bring about in recent years. Germany has also called upon the government of Bangladesh to take all necessary steps to ensure a swift and thorough investigation into the murders of Mahbub and Xulhaz. “I call upon the government of Bangladesh to take all necessary steps to ensure a swift and thorough investigation,” German Ambassador in Dhaka Dr Thomas Prinz said in a statement. Prinz said they have seen far too many incidents like this in the past months and now is the time for the whole society to stand up and defend the fundamental right to freedom of expression. He said this is not only an attack on two brave individuals, but also an attack on the freedom of expression in Bangladesh. “I’m deeply saddened and shocked about yesterday’s (Monday’s) gruesome murders of Mahbub Tonoy and Xulhaz Mannan. I strongly condemn the appalling assaults on these two outspoken human rights activists,” said the Ambassador adding, “My thoughts are with the families and friends of the deceased.” The UK also urged the Bangladesh authorities to book the killers of recent murders, including that of Xulhaz Mannan and Prof Rezaul Karim Siddiquee, and bring them to justice. “Deeply saddened by the senseless murders of Prof Karim, Tanay Fahim & Xulhaz Mannan in Bangladesh. The killers must be brought to justice,” British Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Hugo Swire tweeted. Denmark also called on the government to make a serious effort to safeguard freedom of expression and freedom of religion in Bangladesh. ‘‘We ‘re deeply concerned about the recent murders and increase in violent attacks on individuals and minority groups in Bangladesh. We condemn these brutalities strongly,” Chargé d’affaires of the Danish Embassy in Dhaka Jakob Haugaard said in a statement on Tuesday. He urged the government of Bangladesh to take a strong position to bring the perpetrators to justice. “We’ll continue to support efforts to ensure that all citizens of Bangladesh are able to express their views freely and without fear.’’ Former British High Commissioner in Dhaka Robert Gibson also condemned the killing of his friend Xulhaz. “Horrified & condemn the senseless murder of my friend and #humanrights activist #Xulhaz. Perpetrators must be brought to justice,” he tweeted. “We abhor this senseless act of violence and urge the Government of Bangladesh in the strongest terms to apprehend the criminals behind these murders,” said US Ambassador in Dhaka Marcia Bernicat in a statement. The US Ambassador said she is “devastated” by the brutal murder of Xulhaz Mannan and another young Bangladeshi. “Xulhaz was more than a colleague to those of us fortunate to work with him at the US Embassy. He was a dear friend. Our prayers are with Xulhaz, the other victim, and those injured in the attack,” she said. The Amnesty International has condemned the brutal killing of USAID official Xulhaz Mannan. Champa Patel, Amnesty’s South Asia Director, said: “The brutal killing today of an editor of an LGBTI publication (Roopbaan) and his friend, days after a university professor was hacked to death, underscores the appalling lack of protection being afforded to a range of peaceful activists in the country.” There have been four deplorable killings so far this month alone and it is shocking that no one has been held to account for these horrific attacks and that almost no protection has been given to threatened members of civil society, Patel said. “While the Bangladeshi authorities have failed to bring these violent groups to justice, the attackers have expanded their range of targets to now include a university professor and LGBTI activists,” he said. The CPJ has condemned the murder of Xulhaz and urged the Bangladesh authorities to bring the perpetrators to justice. “Authorities must immediately investigate the murder of Xulhaz Mannan, and bring the perpetrators to justice,” said Bob Dietz, CPJ’s Asia programme coordinator. Journalists and intellectuals are under attack in Bangladesh, and the government has done little to end the murderous mayhem or to ensure the safety of at-risk groups, Bob said. The senior editor at gay rights magazine Roopbaan, who also worked at the US Agency for International Development, was stabbed to death at his home in Dhaka alongside a friend, said the CPJ statement. A third person, described in some reports as a security guard, was injured, it said.
