UNB, Dhaka :UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief Heiner Bielefeldt on Wednesday said the ‘shrinking space’ for civil society and concern over Article 57 of the ICT Act have major issues in his discussions with human rights activists, journalists, academics and independent intellectuals in Bangladesh.”While chiefly feeling pressure from religious militants, some have also experienced friendly fire, as one interlocutor phrased it,” he told reporters at the Jatiya Press Club wrapping up his 10-day visit to Bangladesh.UN Resident Coordinator in Dhaka Robert Watkins was also present.Bielefeldt said the recent arrests of the members of human rights organisation, which he thinks, long existed in Bangladesh; add to the perception of rapidly shrinking space, to the detriment of the two closely interlinked principles of secularism and democracy. “In discussions with religious minority communities, ‘indigenous’ people and civil society organisations, I often sensed feelings of anxiety and insecurity,” said the UN expert.He said, such insecurity has different political, legal and social dimensions which may affect individuals and groups in various ways. “In security of property claims, particularly relating to real estate, sometimes comes in tandem with fears for one’s own or one’s community’s physical security in the face of rising religious extremism.”Bielefeldt mentioned that a particular issue, adding to the general feelings of vulnerability which some communities have expressed, is religious conversion.He said, the Constitution of Bangladesh, which enshrines the principle of secularism while at the same time proclaiming Islam as the official State religion gives rise to ambiguities that have a direct impact on human rights in the country, including the protection of religious minorities.Bielefeldt said secularism in Bangladesh represents a commitment, entrenched in the Constitution to create and uphold an open and inclusive space for religious diversity, free from fear and discrimination.Such an ‘inclusive’ understanding of secularism requires the State authorities to take concrete action and make long term investment in education, civil society development, minority outreach programmes and other activities, he added.The Special Rapporteur acknowledged the Government efforts to improve freedom of religion and belief in the country and noted specific measures taken in favour of religious minorities who feel under pressure.However, the UN human rights expert observed worrying trends towards compromising the principle of secularism, possibly with the intention of appeasing religious militants.The UN expert also noted that some of the measures established to preserve secularism seem to lead to the opposite result and to a shrinking of the very space that secularism – like democracy – is supposed to provide.
