Sheikh Hasina, the ousted former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, today condemned the arrest of a Hindu priest in her country and addressed the subsequent violence that erupted during protests following the monk’s detention.
“A top leader of the Sanatan religious community has been unjustly arrested; he must be released immediately. A temple has been burned in Chittagong. Previously, mosques, shrines, churches, monasteries, and the homes of the Ahmadiyya community were attacked, vandalized, looted, and set on fire,” she said. “Religious freedom and the security of life and property for people of all communities should be ensured,” she added.
Highlighting her concerns regarding the interim government’s handling of the economy and law enforcement, Ms. Hasina remarked, “The current power grabbers are failing in all areas. They have failed to control the prices of daily necessities and to provide security for people’s lives. I strongly condemn these acts of torture, both direct and indirect, against common people.”
Ms. Hasina also criticized the interim government for the increase in violence that resulted in the death of a lawyer in Chittagong. She warned that if the interim government does not hold accountable those responsible for such acts, it will face consequences for “gross human rights violations.”
“A lawyer has been killed in Chittagong, and I strongly protest this murder. Those involved in this murder should be found and punished quickly. Human rights have been grossly violated through this incident. A lawyer went to perform his professional duties, and those who beat him to death are terrorists
