Letter of Concern on the Attack of Mr. Sanjeeb Drong

Asia Indigenous Peoples’ Pact (AIPP) expresses its deep concern and condemns the attack on Mr. Sanjeeb Drong, a known human rights defender and the current General Secretary of the Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples Forum (BIPF). BIPF is an active member of AIPP, and Mr. Drong is one of our leaders in Bangladesh.

According to our reliable sources, Mr. Drong was attacked by approximately 10 to 12 miscreants on January 22, 2010 while he and his wife, Ms. Mitali Chisim, were on their way home on a motorbike to Dhaka from a meeting at Ranikhnong Catholic mission area in Netrokona district. He sustained injuries on both arms from the attack and his motorbike was also damaged. His wife was reportedly unhurt in the said attack. A complaint was immediately filed at the Susong Gurgapur Police Station and one of the alleged suspects, Mr. Krishna Saha, was arrested that same day of the attack. The incident wrought fear for the safety of the victim and his family.

It is believed that this attack was organized by a ruling influential indigenous parliamentarian who sold out a piece of land in Dhaka to a certain NGO for 7.5 crore taka ($11 million) even if this land is intended for the construction of a community cultural center.  Mr. Drong was one of the many who strongly opposed this land sale because the Government already gave the land to the Indigenous Peoples in the plain lands supposedly for the construction of a community cultural center.

Further, Mr. Drong has also been receiving threats over the phone prior to the attack because of the vital role he played in protesting the selling out of the land.

This incident clearly reflects the vulnerability of human rights defenders in Bangladesh fighting for the rights of the oppressed. The alleged involvement of an influential government official in this case makes it even more worrisome but also illustrates that influential government officials are using their authority for corruption, intimidation and repression that are contrary to the laws and constitutional rights of every citizen under a democratic government system. Further, the access to justice for victims of these kinds of cases becomes even more elusive because of the potential involvement of powerful politicians who are able to use their influence to circumvent justice and their accountability.

With this, we call on the government of Bangladesh to immediately conduct an impartial investigation on this incident and to prosecute the mastermind and those directly involved in the attack of Mr. Drong. Impunity must not be employed to those found guilty. The authorities must also ensure the protection and security of Mr. Drong and other human rights defenders in Bangladesh in accordance with the civil and political rights of persons stipulated in the Constitution of Bangladesh and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) to which Bangladesh is a party to.

Finally, we call on the authorities to return the land sold by the said parliamentarian to the Indigenous Peoples in the plain lands for the construction of their community cultural center.

We hope that the Government of Bangladesh will take urgent and appropriate measures and actions on this matter, especially on the security of Mr. Drong and his family, as well as the prosecution of all those involved in this case.

Ms. Joan Carling

Secretary General

Asia Indigenous Peoples’ Pact (AIPP)