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Appeal to Indian American community :
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https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_-4ZdRUD8bTf1P-RGKZx_uR9SECbao_jAJTmJBCUVas
Press Release: FIIDS Calls for Immediate Action on Crisis in Bangladesh
Date: 7th August
Location: Washington D.C.
Contact: Khanderao Kand khanderao@fiids-usa.org
The Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS) expresses deep concern over the escalating situation in Bangladesh, where widespread protests and riots have led to the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Amidst the chaos, there have been alarming reports of atrocities against minorities, particularly Hindus. With the police absent from the streets, the army not enforcing the curfew, and the administration seemingly paralyzed, extremist groups like Jamat-E-Islami have been reportedly committing severe acts of violence.
FIIDS has been closely monitoring and analyzing the situation. On 7th August, FIIDS held a panel discussion featuring experts such as India Foundation Executive Director Captain Alok Bansal, HRCBM Executive Director Priya Saha, and FIIDS Chief of Policy and Strategy Khanderao Kand to deliberate on the crisis and compile a set of recommendations.
FIIDS urgently calls upon:
- The U.S. President Joe Biden, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken to take immediate action to ensure peace is re-established in Bangladesh and that minorities are protected, preventing another potential Hindu Genocide.
- the interim Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus to immediately activate and instruct police forces, the army, and administrative institutions to establish peace and specifically protect minorities, who are predominantly targeted by Jamat-E-Islami. The perpetrators of these attacks must be brought to justice swiftly and decisively.
- Presidential candidate Vice President Kamala Haris and President Donald Trump to immediate make a policy statement on protecting minorities in Bangladesh
- U.S. elected officials, particularly members of the Human Rights Commissions, Foreign Affairs Committee, India Caucus, Hindu Caucus, and similar groups, to issue strong statements condemning the ongoing violence against minorities in Bangladesh.
- the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) to acknowledge rising Hinduphobia and immediately issue an alert to the State Department and Congress regarding the dire situation in Bangladesh and USCIRF to hold an emergency hearing on this matter.
- the U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Rashad Hussain to take note of the rising jihadi terrorism by groups like Jamat-E-Islami against minorities in Bangladesh. This situation carries the potential for genocide and must be stopped immediately.
- The United Nations to deploy observers and peacekeeping forces to contain the situation on the ground in Bangladesh and ensure the protection of vulnerable communities. The United Nations to convene a special session focused on the condition of minorities in Bangladesh, bringing international attention and action to the crisis.
- India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, and Foreign Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar to leverage their influence with the new government and military of Bangladesh to establish peace and safeguard minorities. Furthermore, India should prepare to set up temporary shelters along the Bangladesh border to protect those fleeing the violence.
- The Indian American community to actively engage with their elected officials, urging them to take a firm stand to protect minorities in Bangladesh.
- Indian community leaders to organize vigils and other peaceful demonstrations to raise awareness about the plight of minorities in Bangladesh and work towards preventing any potential genocide.
The situation in Bangladesh is a dire reminder of the nation’s bloodied history, where genocidal acts in 1971 led to the killings, rapes, and forced migration of millions, drastically reducing the minority population from 22% to approximately 8% by 2022. It is crucial that the international community, led by the United States and the United Nations, act swiftly to prevent further atrocities and uphold human rights for all.
On the background of turmoil in Bangladesh, Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS) is hosting an online panel on the situation in Bangladesh and its impact on South Asia and minorities in Bangladesh, largely Hindus.
Wednesday 7th Aug 2024
Time: 6pm PST (9pm EST)
RSVP: http://tiny.cc/FIIDS-Online-RSVP
Zoom: http://tiny.cc/fiids-zoom (this link will be redirected to the zoom conference only during the event)
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