The overall human rights situation in the country in the first half of the year has deteriorated, said the half-yearly reports released yesterday by some human rights organisations.

The BHRB in its report said 392 people, 13 on an average every day, were killed across the country in June.

Odhikar, a human rights organisation, in its report said 287 people were killed in last six months due to political violence, the number of which was 195 from January to June in 2003.

The report prepared on the basis of newspaper reports said three journalists including Janmabhumi editor Humayun Kabir Balu and New Age man Manik Chandra Saha of Khulna were killed, 66 injured and 195 were harassed in different ways. In January-June of 2003, 29 journalists came under attack and 73 were harassed.

The report further said 143 people including women and children were acid-burnt, while 52 people died in police custody.

As many as 451 women and children were raped during the time. Of them, 63 were killed and eight committed suicide, the report added.

Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), another human rights organisation, in its report said ruling party cadres and other criminals attacked and harassed 48 journalists.

The ASK report said 100 journalists were threatened with death and 40 were sued for writing objective reports.