JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France issued a statement on Thursday condemning the killing of Bangladeshi youth Saidul Islam by Indian Border Security Force gunfire along the Bangladesh-India border at Chinakandi of Bishwambarpur upazila in Sunamganj.
The France-based human rights organisation stated that the killing of 24-year-old Saidul on January 8 represented a grave violation of the right to life, as enshrined in the Indian constitution and international covenants, safeguarding individuals from arbitrary deprivation of life.
According to the release, Saidul was allegedly attempting to smuggle goods when the incident occurred. The use of lethal force, instead of lawful measures, constitutes a breach of necessity, proportionality, and legality standards.
鈥楻ight to life is an inalienable right, and any use of deadly force must meet the highest standards of necessity and accountability,鈥� the statement emphasised.
JMBF pointed out that the killing violated international human rights law, particularly the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which guarantees the right to life, liberty, and security under Article 3. It also contravened the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which India has ratified.
The organisation further condemned an unrelated incident involving an assault on a Bangladeshi-origin Norwegian citizen and his family by Air Force Quick Response Force and Ansar personnel at Dhaka鈥檚 Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on January 8.
鈥楾he excessive use of force by state security personnel in a public setting like an airport is a violation of Article 5 of the UDHR, which prohibits torture and inhuman or degrading treatment, and Article 9 of the ICCPR, which protects individuals from arbitrary arrest and detention,鈥� the statement read.
The organisation urged the governments of India and Bangladesh to address these incidents and implement immediate measures to prevent further human rights violations.