Rep. Shri Thanedar Holds Peace Rally at U.S. Capitol to Stop On-going Violence in Bangladesh
- Community leaders, including Holocaust survivors, gathered to call on the Congress to take immediate action to stop the violence, and prevent the genocide, human rights violations, and displacement of minorities.
The Arts4All Foundation and Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-Mich.) held a Peace For All Rally at the United States Capitol on Dec. 18 to call for an end to the violence, atrocities, and persecution of vulnerable, indigenous, and minority populations in Bangladesh. The human rights organization “gathered community leaders of all backgrounds and professions from across the country, including Holocaust survivors, to call on the United States Congress to take immediate action to stop the violence in Bangladesh and prevent the genocide, human rights violations, and displacement of minorities in Bangladesh,” a Arts4All Foundation press release said.
There has been “an exceptional rise in violence and extremism in Bangladesh since July,” the press release said, including “misuse of the legal system for settling political disputes, imprisonment of religious leaders, killing of religious, ethnic, and indigenous minorities, and targeted attacks on religious centers or temples, as well as incidents of widespread violence and vandalism.” The interim Bangladeshi government run by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus faces a critical and immediate challenge of addressing the resurgence of religious and ideological extremism and geopolitical instability. Reports from the United Nations indicate that hundreds of people have lost their lives, and tens of thousands have been displaced in only the last few months.
According to Dr. Sumita SenGupta, founder of the Arts4All Foundation and co-organizer of the peace rally, the United States, Bangladesh and other countries in the region have “a paramount role in protecting universal freedoms, global stability, and public safety for all people.” Speaking at a press conference at the rally, SenGupta underscored “the dire situation” in Bangladesh, noting that “religious and ethnic minorities face extinction unless action is taken to de-escalate tensions, stop the imprisonment of religious minorities, and put an end to the violent attacks, inhumane treatment, mass atrocities, and extremism to bring forth an era of global solidarity and peace in the region.” She continued: “Our message is simple: we call for peace and for all of the world governments to collaboratively work together and unify in preserving and protecting all human life.”
“To the world, you are one person, but to one person, you are the world. I believe the way we can be united against mass hatred is to not let rhetoric that contributes to intolerance motivate discrimination and violence based on religion, culture, gender, or race. As a Holocaust survivor, who was subjected to medical experiments by the Nazis as an infant, I have seen firsthand the dangers and aftermath of hatred turning into violence and then a horrific genocide. What is happening in Bangladesh with the escalation of mass violence against minorities, the rise in hatred towards indigenous Bangladeshis and other minority groups, and the persecution of vulnerable populations is alarming and disturbingly similar to the early years of Nazi Germany. I share my story and message of peace with the hope that we can prevent history from repeating itself. Let us be united in calling for peace in Bangladesh and standing in solidarity against the mass hatred and violence,” said Sami Steigmann, an 85-year-old Holocaust survivor.
Speaking at the press conference, Thanedar, one of the organizers, spoke of “the urgency to bring awareness to the escalating crisis of human rights violations in Bangladesh.” He urged the need to “not remain silent” both at home and abroad, “while innocent people are subjected to unspeakable acts of violence due to their religious beliefs.” Noting that it is “not merely a matter of foreign policy,” he called it “a test of our moral resolve.” He also mentioned the multiple letters he has sent to the Department of State and Treasury. Some of the immediate, tangible steps suggested in the letter include:
● Humanitarian Protection: Designate persecuted minorities from Bangladesh as eligible for temporary protected status in the United States.
● Congressional Oversight: Convene hearings to assess the situation and explore policy responses that protect the human rights of these vulnerable groups.
● Targeted Sanctions: Call on the United States Departments of Treasury and State to impose and enforce sanctions on those perpetrating these heinous acts against minorities in Bangladesh.
Dr. Sachi Dastidar, retired professor, expert on Bangladesh history, and founder of the Probini Foundation of New York, and Utsav Chakrabarti, executive director of HinduACTion, also spoke at the press conference.
“Similar to other indigenous populations around the world, Hindu Bangladeshis, who are the original residents of Bangladesh, are being driven out of the communities they have inhabited for generations through intimidation, ostracization, discrimination, and violence.,” Dastidar said. “In reality, both Muslim and Hindu Bangladeshis are one people, and these human rights atrocities are the result of divisions caused by colonialism, the partition, and on-going extremism, politicizing the marginalization and inhumane treatment of indigenous Hindu Bangladeshis. We seek peace and ask for this preventable violence to stop so that all Bangladeshis can live together in peace and harmony,” she said.
Chakrabarti highlighted how the situation of Hindus in Bangladesh has deteriorated over the past five months. “Temples are being looted, vandalized, and burnt; Hindu leaders are being incarcerated, and Hindu men, women, and children are being tortured and killed,” he said.