The Rights and Risks Analysis Group (RRAG) today sought intervention of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief and Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues with the Caretaker government of Bangladesh against racial profiling of the Hindu officers of the Government of Bangladesh.
In an order dated 29 August 2024, the Ministry of Cotton and Jute, Government of Bangladesh directed various departments and institutions under it to provide the list of Joint Secretary level Hindus officers by 2nd September 2024. The order was issued by the Ministry of Cotton and Jute pursuant to the direction of the Personnel department of the President of Bangladesh on 27 August 2024 to all Ministries and autonomous institutions.
“Seeking the list of only Hindu officers by the President of Bangladesh is nothing but an act of racial profiling of the Hindus by the Government of Bangladesh for the purpose of specific targeting of minorities based on their religious belief. There is a genuine fear that senior officers belonging to the Hindu minorities will be targeted and they have been effectively silenced. This violates the UN human rights laws relating to racial discrimination and the rights of the minorities and a fit case for the UN Rapporteurs to intervene.”- stated Mr Suhas Chakma, Director of the Rights and Risks Analysis Group.
