UN concern
Dr. Udatta Bikash Human Rights Researcher and Practitioner, Dhaka
According to a news story in The Daily Star dated 22 February 2005, the United Nations (UN) has expressed its concern over the increasing deterioration of the law and order situation in Bangladesh. The agency has announced a security alarm called 'Security Phase-1,' which means the UN staff members seeking to visit Bangladesh have to inform the Designated Officer for the UN Security (here, the UN Resident Coordinator/UNDP Representative) and have to have prior 'clearance' to enter into the country. The decision was taken at a meeting of the heads of all UN agencies in Bangladesh on 20 February last and effected from the same day. Earlier, there was no security phase for all of the country except the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) and the district of Cox's Bazar. The Security Phase- 2 was imposed in Cox's Bazar from 28 October 2004 while the CHT was under Security Phase- 1. The decision was taken in the wake of a number of bomb attacks across the country, including on the offices of some NGOs like BRAC, and Grameen Bank, as the report credited to the BDNEWS said quoting an UN official here. On October 28, the UN announced the Security Phase- 2 for the district of Cox's Bazar, which restricts movement of its staff and their family members in the district. This was done following an assault on a field staff of the World Food Program (WFP) and deterioration of law and order in two Rohingya refugee camps and surrounding areas. During recent times, the deterioration of law and order situation including frequent explosion of bombs and grenades has made people worried. This also raised concern among the international communities like the UN and EU. This a red alarm for the country. This is high time to stop all these criminal activities and nab the real culprits. Otherwise, the country may have to pay a high price.
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