On August 11, 2024, Bangladeshi Hindus organized a protest rally in front of the Tokyo United Nations University, voicing their concerns over the ongoing attacks on Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh by Jihadist groups.
The Awami League government was ousted on August 5 through a student-led Quota Movement, and the new interim government, led by Peace Laureate Dr. Yunus, took power on August 8.
The people of Bangladesh hoped for improved governance under the new leadership. However, for Hindus and other non-Muslim minorities, the situation did not change. On the very night Dr. Yunus was sworn in, Hindus and other minorities faced intensified attacks.
Hundreds of Hindu homes, villages, shops, and temples were attacked. Many were killed, and others fled to India, seeking refuge to save their lives.
Globally, Hindus raised their voices in protest, condemning the Jihadists’ vandalism. In Tokyo, the Hindu community held two simultaneous protest rallies—one in front of the Tokyo United Nations University and another at the Bangladesh Shaheed Minar in Akabane.
The protesters demanded punishment for the Jihadists and safety for the innocent Hindu people. They emphasized that Hindus are Bangladeshi citizens with the right to live in their homeland. However, Jihadists continue to kill them, abduct Hindu women, and burn their homes, properties, and temples. The protesters called for an immediate end to these atrocities.
Additionally, indigenous people joined the protest at the United Nations University. They displayed placards highlighting the current situation in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, which remains under military rule. The indigenous non-Muslim population desires to live according to their traditions, but successive governments have sought to Islamize and control the area.
The protesters questioned whether Peace Laureate Dr. Yunus can effectively govern a country where the majority of Muslims aspire to establish a fully Islamic state. They asked what the future holds for Hindus and other minorities living in Bangladesh. Can Dr. Yunus protect the lives and rights of Hindus and non-Muslims in the country?
However, it appears that Dr. Yunus has not yet been able to bring about significant change for Hindus and non-Muslims. The violence persists, and Hindus continue to protest worldwide. Meanwhile, the indigenous people in the Chittagong Hill Tracts remain under military control, with recent incidents including the military crackdown on students engaged in graffiti work in Khagrachari.
The rally participants expressed their despair and urged the United Nations to intervene in the situation, calling for the protection of Hindus and indigenous people in Bangladesh.
A Call for Urgent UN Intervention
The ongoing violence against Hindus, indigenous people, and other minorities in Bangladesh constitutes a grave violation of human rights and international law. The situation is urgent, with lives hanging in the balance. They appeal to the United Nations to take immediate action to prevent further atrocities.
They urge the UN to consider sending a special rapporteur to Bangladesh to investigate these human rights abuses and hold those responsible accountable. The establishment of an independent international commission to oversee the situation in the Chittagong Hill Tracts could help bring transparency and justice.
Furthermore, the international community must recognize the broader regional implications of this crisis. As refugees flee to neighboring countries, the potential for destabilization of the region is real. This is not just a moral obligation but a necessary step to ensure regional peace and security.
The UN’s response will set a precedent for how minority rights are protected globally. They call on the United Nations to uphold its mandate to safeguard human rights and to act swiftly to protect the lives and dignity of the Hindu, indigenous, and non-Muslim communities in Bangladesh.
