National Human Rights Commission chairman Mizanur Rahman on Saturday asked the law enforcement agencies to remain within the bounds of the law in using force to tackle violence without flouting human rights.
‘From the NHRC, I would warn the law enforcement agencies to be lawful while you fight against violence so that the use of force never tantamount to violation of human rights, Mizan said referring to the orders from the prime minister and the president to stop violence at any cost.
‘You have to curb violence according to the law, following the law,’ he said addressing a ‘Rally for Peace’ organised by the NHRC at the Central Shaheed Minar.
Human rights campaigners took part in the hour-long rally that began at 10.45 AM in front of the National Museum at Shahbagh and ended at the Shaheed Minar.
The NHRC chief made the remarks a day after Amnesty International condemned Bangladesh government’s use of ‘excessive force’ in tackling violence during the nationwide blockade taking place at the call of the BNP-led alliance.
‘Tell us what we should do to control violence?’ Mizan asked rights watchdogs — Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch and Asian Human Rights Commission.
‘You asked not to use excessive force, but I think, the state authorities should use force to tackle any inhuman acts of violence against people’, he said.
There is no alternative to using force for containing violence’, Mizan added.
He appealed to politicians to reach a consensus by showing ‘democratic spirit.’
The NHRC chief said those who had ‘incited’ violence should be held responsible and they ought to find a way out of the political deadlock.
‘Democracy cannot be achieved by shackling the people. It requires the use of ‘good sense’ and ‘good strategy’, he said.
He called upon the BNP-led alliance to put off hartals and blockade during the SSC examinations for the sake of the future of the examinees.
