NEW DELHI: The Rights and Risks Analysis Group (RRAG) has sought intervention from the United Nations Special Rapporteurs on contemporary forms of racism, freedom of religion or belief, and minority issues over the alleged racial profiling of Hindu officers within the Bangladesh government by the interim government of the country.
In an order dated 29 August 2024, the Ministry of Cotton and Jute of the Bangladesh government directed various departments and institutions under it to provide the list of Joint Secretary-level Hindus officers by September 2, 2024.
The Ministry of Cotton and Jute issued the order following a directive from the Personnel Department of the President of Bangladesh to all ministries and autonomous institutions on August 27.
“Seeking the list of only Hindu officers by the President of Bangladesh is nothing but an ‘act of racial profiling’ of the Hindus by the Government of Bangladesh for the purpose of targeting minorities based on their religious belief,” said Suhas Chakma, Director of the Rights and Risks Analysis Group.
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He further added, “There is a genuine fear that senior officers belonging to the Hindu minorities will be targeted and they have been effectively silenced. This violates the UN human rights laws relating to racial discrimination and the rights of the minorities, which requires the intervention of UN Rapporteurs.”
