Condemnation pouring in
The killing of USAID employee Xulhaz Mannan and his friend at the citys Kalabagan area yesterday has sparked widespread condemnation across the globe. High-profile world leaders like US secretary of state John Kerry, UK minister of state for the foreign and commonwealth office Hugo Swire, the United Nations, and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) slammed the barbaric attack in their public statements. Suffice it to say that we are outraged by the barbaric attack on Xulhaz Mannan, a locally-hired employee of our embassy in Dhaka, and another of his activist friends, said the US secretary of state.
In a statement issued yesterday, Kerry offered his countrys full support to the Bangladesh government in the investigation into these murders and in bringing the perpetrators to justice. We are profoundly saddened by the loss of one of our own in such a senseless act of violence, and we extend our deepest condolences to Xulhazs family and loved ones, he said.
Xulhaz, who worked for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), was a trusted colleague, a beloved friend, and an advocate for human rights and dignity in Bangladesh, he added.
In many ways, he embodied the spirit of the people of Bangladesh and the pride with which they guard their traditions of tolerance, peace, and diversity, Kerry said.
Condemning the murders, UN resident coordinator Robert Watkins expressed its concern for intolerance-related violence increasing in Bangladesh.
In a statement, Watkins said the murderers were targeting a growing range of people whose views may not conform to those of the majority. He also said that the UN in Bangladesh is once again shocked by another series of brutal murders against people expressing alternative views, and that there seems to be no end to these premeditated acts against an increasingly wide array of social activists.
This was also manifested just two days ago by the horrific killing of Prof. Rezaul Karim Siddique from the University of Rajshahi, he added.
These must also be addressed through effective and prompt investigations by the law enforcement agencies to bring the perpetrators to justice, said the statement. Impunity will only contribute to a climate of intolerance and lead to further incidents of this kind, read the statement.
Swire also twitted, Deeply saddened by the senseless murders of Prof. Karim, Tanay Fahim and Xulhaz Mannan in Bangladesh. The killers must be brought to justice.
In a statement, German ambassador to Bangladesh, Dr Thomas Prinz, said, This is not only an attack on two brave individuals, but also an attack on the freedom of expression in this country. He called upon the government to take all necessary measures to ensure swift and thorough investigation.
We have seen far too many incidents like this in the past months. Now is the time for the whole society to stand up and defend the fundamental right to freedom of expression. My thoughts are with the families and friends of the deceased, he added.
CPJs Asia Programme Coordinator Bob Dietz said, The authorities must immediately investigate the murder of Xulhaz Mannan and bring the perpetrators to justice.
Journalists and intellectuals are under attack in Bangladesh. The government has done little to end the murderous mayhem or to ensure the safety of at-risk groups, he added.
The Human Rights Watch (HRW) said the Bangladeshi authorities should immediately investigate the killings of two LGBT human rights activists.
The killings follow a spate of recent targeted attacks on writers, educators, bloggers, and editors who promote liberal and secular ideas that radical groups believe are against Islam, said the New York-based global rights body.
It observed the killings of Mannan and Mahbub bring to nine the number of liberals hacked to death in Bangladesh in 2016.
The slaughter of two men advocating for the basic rights of Bangladeshs beleaguered LGBT community should prompt a thorough investigation, aimed at prosecuting those responsible, said Meenakshi Ganguly, South Asia director at Human Rights Watch.
