Minority Hindus Being Persecuted In Bangladesh: US Report

A new report issued by the US Commission on International Religion Freedom (USCIRF) has slammed Bangladesh for lack of any sort of religious freedom and continuous harassment of the minority Hindus living in the country.

The report titled 'Policy Focus on Bangladesh', said that since its last election, 'Bangladesh has experienced growing violence by religious extremists, intensifying concerns expressed by the countries religious minorities'. The report further said that Hindus were particularly vulnerable in a period of rising violence and extremism.

The report said that in many instances, 'such violence appears aimed at encouraging Hindus to flee in order to seize their property in what is a desperately land-poor country'.

It recalled that during and immediately after Bangladesh's Parliamentary election in October 2001, 'there were numerous reports of illegal land seizures, arson, extortion, sexual assault, and intimidation of religious minority group members, particularly Hindus'.

The commission has called on Washington to urge Dhaka to prevent anti-minority violence during the election and to encourage the Bangladesh government to address religious extremism and violence.