Ahmadiyya Community denounces violent attack on its annual convention in Bangladesh and the death of young Jahid Hasan

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has issued a statement denouncing the violent attack on the 98th Annual Convention of the Ahmadiyya Community in Bangladesh, which was being held in the town of Ahmednagar. 

According to the official statement, "a mob of religious fanatics incited by extremist clerics attacked this convention and vandalised, burnt and looted several dozen homes and shops belonging to Ahmadis", and "during the attack, Jahid Hasan, a 25-year-old man, was beaten to death while trying to protect the convention venue".

The official statement of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is reproduced below: 

PRESS RELEASE 

PERSECUTION OF THE AHMADIYYA COMMUNITY IN PAKISTAN 

DEADLY ATTACK ON THE ANNUAL CONVENTION OF THE AHMADIYYA MUSLIM COMMUNITY IN BANGLADESH 

We are shocked to report a violent attack that took place on 3 March 2023 on the opening day of the 98th Annual Convention of the Ahmadiyya Community in Bangladesh, which was being held in the town of Ahmednagar. 

A mob of religious fanatics incited by extremist clerics attacked the convention and vandalised, burnt and looted several dozen homes and shops belonging to Ahmadis. 

During the attack, Jahid Hasan, a 25-year-old man, was beaten to death while trying to protect the convention grounds. Four other people were taken to hospital in serious condition, and several dozen were less seriously injured. It is particularly tragic that the attack took place in broad daylight, in the face of police inaction. Several homes were burned to the ground. The day before the attack, several homes had been vandalised and set on fire by youths. They had also desecrated a grave and vandalised the tombstone of senior members of the community. 

Despite assurances from the Commissioner and the District Superintendent of Police that the necessary measures would be taken to ensure the security of the Annual Convention, the Police remained silent and lenient during most of the attack. 

We again request your kind support in demanding the Government of Bangladesh to enforce freedom of religion and safeguard human rights. Pressure needs to be brought to bear on the Government of Bangladesh to arrest each and every culprit who has been fuelling hatred and inciting violence, resulting in this brutal attack and murder, and to bring them to justice urgently.  

The fact is that incidents of religious persecution against Muslim Ahmadis residing in Bangladesh have only increased, instigated by non-state actors. The government and law enforcement agencies are failing to protect members of the Ahmadiyya Community and to curb incitement to hatred. This persecution shows the utter disregard for the rights of our Community in Bangladesh, whose members live with a deep sense of insecurity. 

As we have recalled on other occasions, on 13 July 2021, UN human rights experts expressed their deep concern at the lack of attention to the serious human rights violations perpetrated against the Ahmadiyya Community around the world and called on the international community to redouble its efforts to end the persecution of Ahmadis.  

We strongly urge the international community to hold the Government of Bangladesh accountable, to provide effective protection and freedom of religious practice to the Ahmadis, and to take strong legal action to bring the masterminds and perpetrators of these ruthless attacks to justice; and to bring the implementation of its laws and practices in line with international standards, as set out in Article 20, Article 2 of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 18 and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), Articles 25 and 26.