| Submit your comments on this article |
| Bangladesh |
| Ansarullah's global hit list |
| 2015-09-24 |
| [Dhaka Tribune] Outlawed Islamist bully boy outfit Ansarullah Bangla Team has issued a hit list of bloggers, writers and activists around the world, in a statement on the internet. The list internationalises Bangladesh's hitherto localised problem with home-grown turbans. Nine bloggers based in the United Kingdom, seven in Germany, two in the United States, one in Canada and one in Sweden were named on the list, the UK's Guardian reports. Some of the targeted writers are Bangladeshi citizens living overseas. Others are dual nationals or citizens of western countries. Individuals on the list have said they intend to keep writing and blogging, the Guardian reports. The police blame the outlawed group for a spate of killings of secular bloggers over the last 18 months. All those killed were prominent critics of turban religious doctrines, especially in Islam. There has been no previous indication that Ansarullah was targeting bloggers overseas. It is unclear if Ansarullah has the capability to carry out their threats, but its call for action may prompt individuals to mount "lone wolf" attacks. The origin of the list is unclear and some doubt it is an official statement from Ansarullah but was compiled or published from the UK or elsewhere in the west. Police have charged an Ansarullah organiser and four supporters with the murder of 27-year-old blogger Oyashiqur Rahman Babu in Dhaka in March. Oyashiqur's death came weeks after Bangladeshi-American atheist blogger Avijit Roy was murdered in Dhaka by machete-wielding attackers. His US-based widow is among those named on the new list. The list is accompanied by a demand, apparently addressed to the Bangladesh government, to strip the bloggers of their Bangladeshi citizenship even though many of those on the hit list have dual nationality or are citizens of other countries. The government has been previously criticised for requesting local bloggers and activists to avoid provocative statements on sensitive religious issues. Human Rights Watch ... During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2011, HRW received a pledge from the Foundation to Promote Open Society, of which George Soros is Chairman, for general support totaling $100,000,000. The grant is being paid in installments of $10,000,000 over ten years.Through June 30, 2013, HRW had received $30,000,000 towards the fulfillment of the pledge.... last month said: "It is shocking that Bangladesh authorities not only failed to protect the bloggers despite complaints to the police about threats against them, but instead are proposing self-censorship." |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #1 Let's see if the keypad at noon beats the encounter at 3 am. The Purpla Gang used to be a thang, not so much nao. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2015-09-24 14:49 |