The Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) has condemned the alleged attack and mob violence at the central office of the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Jasad) in Gulistan, Dhaka, during a scheduled party meeting, as well as the subsequent detention of 289 people.
In a statement, the rights organisation on Sunday expressed deep concern over the incident, including allegations that political activists attending the meeting were physically assaulted.
According to media reports, police raided Jasad’s central office on 26 September and detained 289 people.
Police said they conducted the operation after receiving information that members of the Awami League and its affiliated organisations had gathered at the office.
Jasad, however, said the gathering was its pre-scheduled meeting of its central representatives and that relevant police officials had been informed about it beforehand.
The party also alleged that a large number of Jubo Dal leaders and activists entered the office during the meeting, created a mob and physically assaulted its leaders and activists.
ASK said disrupting a pre-scheduled meeting at a political party’s office by creating a mob and physically assaulting participants in the presence of police was “in no way acceptable”.
The rights body also expressed concern over video footage broadcast by the media that it said showed senior Jubo Dal leaders participating in the alleged mob and making provocative statements.
Referring to the Constitution, ASK said Article 37 guarantees the right to peaceful assembly, while Article 38 recognises the freedom of association. It also cited Articles 21 and 22 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which recognise the rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of association.
These rights are fundamental to political participation and freedom of expression in a democratic society, ASK said.
The rights organisation said that Jasad is a longstanding political party and said political pluralism and respect for differing views are fundamental to democracy.
“Unless prohibited by law, the right of any political party to conduct peaceful organisational activities must be respected,” it said.
ASK said the alleged attack and mob incident at Jasad’s office not only undermined the rights of the party concerned but also raised concerns about the country’s democratic political space.
It called for a prompt, impartial and transparent investigation into the alleged attack, mob formation and physical assault.
ASK also urged authorities to review all relevant evidence, including video footage aired by the media, and take legal action against anyone found involved in attacks, incitement, violence or taking the law into their own hands, regardless of political affiliation.
