uscirf betrayed hindus and the cause of human rights and religous freedom—again. Tell them how they stand by while people die and prefer corporate interests to justice and religious freedom

There was reason for optimism this year as USCIRF started reviewing material to determine Countries of Particular Concern (CPC); those with the worst record on religious freedom. At their request, we and others sent iron-clad evidence of Bangladeshi guilt. USCIRF had overwhelming evidence in hand but chose to ignore it. They listened to corporate lobbyists from Wal-Mart and elsewhere rather than to the cries of the victimized. For shame, USCIRF! Of course, it had no trouble categorizing India as a CPC, even though the worst unsubstantiated allegations against India are not nearly as severe as the real actions by Bangladesh against real people. Coming Monday: our renewed focus with the US State Department’s current evaluation of Bangladesh and other countries for its report. Also see my blog. Also feel free to let USCIRF know that it has failed to live up to its purpose and that people have taken notice. You an do so by phone (best method) at 202-523-3240. If not, click the button below to email your concern.

Donate TO FORCEFIELD

Forcefield is the only organization commited to saving Bangladesh’s Hindus and bringing justice to Pashtuns, Sindhi, and Baloch in ersatz Pakistan. Donations are tax deductible, and allow us to continue documenting atrocities with first hand evidence. Thank you.

THANK YOU TO ALL WHO TOOK ACTION, ESPECIALLY THE HINDU AMERICAN FOUNDATION

Peter D. Haas has had his hearing before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, and he was told by multiple Senators and staff that they are concerned about the treatment of Hindus in Bangladesh, and that the current—unacceptable—level of violence is nothing new for Bangladesh’s Hindus. With the attention on it, we might expect a few arrests of hapless participants, but the people behind the violence, the people who organize and fund it will not be touched. Even those arrested usually are released once our attention wanes. But we can be optimistic that soon-to-be Ambassador Haas will hold up any trade deal until there is real action to stop the ethnic cleansing of Hindus.

During this process, we received equal support from Republicans and Democrats—confirming my years-long contention that this is an issue about saving lives and about values, something all about which all Americans can agree.

As a result of all this, we can expect Mr. Haas to usher in a new era in US-Bangladesh relations: one in which a trade deal is possible; and at the same time, one that will see no trade agreement without action that stops Bangladesh’s culture of impunity for anti-Hindu actions; one in which Hindus have the same access to due process and the rule of law as any other Bangladeshi.

Again, thanks to all who took action to call their Senators, and a special thank you to the Hindu American Foundation for its tireless and principled work to save Bangladesh’s Hindus.