The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has dropped Bangladesh from its Watch List of countries deemed to violate minorities’ right to religious freedom, reports the Daily Star, Dhaka.
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The absence of measures to promote minority voting rights and the failure of the government to investigate the severe anti-minority violence of 2001 resulted in Bangladesh coming on the Watch List from 2005.
However, in light of the positive developments witnessed during the December 29, 2008 general elections, the Commission removed Bangladesh from its Watch List of 2009, the daily reports.
The absence of measures to promote minority voting rights and the failure of the government to investigate the severe anti-minority violence of 2001 resulted in Bangladesh coming on the Watch List from 2005.
However, in light of the positive developments witnessed during the December 29, 2008 general elections, the Commission removed Bangladesh from its Watch List of 2009, the daily reports.
Bangladesh government has welcomed the decision. The US panel has called for repeal of Vested Property Act, lifting of the ban on Ahmadiyya publications, implementation of Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord and full citizenship to members of Bangladesh’s tribal communities.
