Elections in Bangladesh: strikes and violence push Christians and Hindus not to vote
ICC Note:
In the midst of the worst political violence Bangladesh has seen since 1971, Christians and Hindus have been afraid to go to the polls due to threats from radical Islamists.
by Sumon Corraya
1/4/2014 Bangladesh (Asia News)-Christians , Buddhists and Hindus fear for their safety ahead of nationwide parliamentary elections scheduled for tomorrow. What especially worries minorities are the violent strikes recently organized by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party ( BNP) of Khaleda Zia who are bringing the entire country to its knees . Today, the BNP launched 48 hour general strike in response to the refusal of the government led by premier Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League to invoke a neutral party as a guarantor of the vote.
Many Christians state they will not vote like Buddhists and Hindus members of religious minorities. “I will not vote – explains Joachim Costa a Catholic of 55 – the elections will not be free and fair and we already know who will win .” The woman explains that people are afraid to go to the polls because of the constant threats of the opposition party . Even the Hindus will not go to vote . Raton Das , 42, told AsiaNews that the elections ” are for a single party and it is useless to vote. Unfortunately there is no alternative”. The population is discouraged by the contrast between the government and opposition, which instead of dialogue has taken the hard line of constant protest. The man explains that the streets there are even campaign posters to attract people to vote , “usually the campaign should take place in a festive atmosphere .”
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