In a joint statement, 25 Australian Bangladeshi organizations have condemned the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari and are calling for his immediate and unconditional release.
The statement was shared on X and signed by the board of directors of the Australian Federation for Ethnic and Religious Minorities in Bangladesh Ltd (AFERMB).
The monk is an ISKCON priest and a vocal advocate for human rights and is also a key spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jote, an alliance of Hindu groups in Bangladesh.
The organizations expressed concern over what they describe as a deliberate attempt by Bangladeshi authorities to silence voices advocating for the protection of ethnic and religious minorities.
25 Australian Bangladeshi organisations have demanded the release of Hindu monk - Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari. 'The arrest appears to be a deliberate attempt by the authorities to silence voices advocating for the protection of ethnic and religious minorities in Bangladesh ,'… pic.twitter.com/6clZXXVBX2
— Australian Hindu Media (@austhindu) November 27, 2024
They argue that the monk's arrest is part of a broader effort to intimidate human rights defenders in the country.
The statement highlights the deepening crisis, citing a violent crackdown on peaceful protesters in Dhaka following the monk’s arrest. Islamist radicals reportedly attacked the demonstrators, injuring several who required medical attention.
This incident, the organizations say, represents a clear violation of the right to peaceful assembly and calls for immediate accountability.
The statement mentioned four key actions: the immediate release of Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari and the dismissal of false charges against him and other human rights defenders; the prosecution of those responsible for attacking peaceful protesters; an end to the misuse of legal processes aimed at silencing human rights advocates; and a commitment from Bangladeshi authorities to uphold freedom of speech and protect human rights defenders.
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