Attacks on the Ahmadiyya Community in Panchgarh Were Pre-Planned: Human Rights Forum Bangladesh (HRFB) Urges To Establish Accountability Through Proper Investigation and Trial and To Ensure the Safety of the Ahmadiyya Community
On 03 March 2023, protestors blocked highways and torched and vandalised a number of houses and business institutions in demand of shutting down an annual congregation of the Ahmadiyya community at Ahmednagar, in nearby Panchagarh city.
Two youths, one of whom was shot to death by the law enforcement agency and another who was attacked by the protestors, were killed in the incident. More than a hundred people from the Ahmadiyya community suffered injuries. At least 167 families were attacked, and 259 homesteads were damaged. After reviewing media reports, independent fact-finding, and discussions with relevant parties, HRFB is certain that the attack was pre-planned and organised with a focus on the annual congregation of the Ahmadiyya community. Also, various misinformation and hatred against the Ahmadiyya community were spread online and offline, inciting attacks on the community, before and after vandalism and arson, but local administration and law enforcement agencies have not taken proper action in this regard.
HRFB expresses that this attack is a gross violation of constitutional and human rights and raised several demands, such as:
- Identify the attackers and ensure a fair investigation, prompt legal action, and justice,
- Investigate the role of the local administration and law enforcement agencies in ensuring the security of the Ahmadiyya community and the proper environment for holding the annual congregation (jalsa) despite the threat of attacks and ensure accountability in this regard,
- Ensure proper security of the Ahmadiyya community as well as ensuring adequate compensation and rehabilitation for all affected, including women, men, and children,
- Inform the public about the legal action taken against individuals or groups who are spreading hatred against the Ahmadiyya community online and offline and inciting attacks on the community,
- Publicise the progress of the trial process for the cases filed in connection with the previous attacks, and at the same time complete the trial process expeditiously.