Bangladesh: Political Turmoil and Transition

Bangladesh: Political Turmoil
and Transition
May 30, 2008
Bruce Vaughn
Specialist in Asian Affairs
Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division



Bangladesh: Political Turmoil and Transition
Summary
Bangladesh (the former East Pakistan) gained its independence in 1971,
following India’s intervention in a rebellion against West Pakistan (currently called
Pakistan). The Bangladesh National Party (BNP), which led the ruling coalition of
the previous government, and the leading opposition party, the Awami League (AL),
traditionally have dominated Bangladeshi politics. The BNP has been led by former
Prime Minister Khaleda Zia; the AL has been led by Sheikh Hasina. In the years
since independence, Bangladesh has established a reputation as a largely moderate
and democratic majority Muslim country. This status has been under threat from a
combination of political violence, weak governance, poverty, corruption, and Islamist
militancy. When in opposition, both parties have sought to regain control of the
government through demonstrations, labor strikes, and transport blockades.
Bangladesh is now ruled by a military-backed caretaker government led by
Fakhruddin Ahmed that appears unlikely to relinquish power until at least the end of
2008. It is pursuing an anti-corruption drive that has challenged the usual political
elites. It is also seeking to put in place voter reforms, including issuing identity cards,
and has moved against militant Islamists. Although there is some concern that the
new military-backed caretaker government may be reluctant to relinquish power, it
has presented a roadmap for new elections and a return to democracy in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh’s status as a secular and moderate state, as well as its democratic
process, has been jeopardized as a result of the approach taken by the two main
political parties and by the takeover of government by a military-backed caretaker
government. Further, there is concern that should Bangladesh become a failed state,
or a state with increased influence by Islamist extremists, it could increasingly serve
as a base of operations for terrorist activity.
Political violence has become part of the political landscape in Bangladesh
under previous governments. A.M.S. Kibria, a finance minister in a previous Awami
League government, and four others were killed in a bomb attack that also injured 70
at a political rally of the Awami League in early 2005. In mid 2004, an apparent
political assassination attempt on opposition leader Sheikh Hasina at a political rally
in Dhaka killed 22. These two attacks, and widespread bombings in mid 2005 that
claimed 26 lives and injured dozens others, are the most notable incidents among
many in recent years.
U.S. policy toward Bangladesh emphasizes support for political stability and
democracy, development, and human rights. The United States has long-standing
supportive relations with Bangladesh and views Bangladesh as a moderate voice in
the Islamic world. Some analysts are concerned that Islamist parties and groups have
gained influence through the political process and that this has created space for
militant activities inside the country. Some allege that the presence in the former
ruling Bangladesh National Party coalition government of two Islamist parties, the
Islamiya Okiyya Jote (IOJ) and the Jamaat-e-Islami, contributed to the expansion of
Islamist influence in Bangladesh.



Contents
Recent Developments..............................................1
Bilateral Relations with the United States...............................2
General Background...............................................4
History ......................................................4
Geography ...................................................5
Government, Politics, and Elections...................................5
Structure of Government........................................5
Political Dynamics.............................................6
Lead Up to 2008 Elections.......................................7
The Caretaker Government......................................8
Anti-Corruption Drive......................................8
The Role of the Military.....................................9
Islamist Extremism...............................................10
Extremist Groups.............................................11
The Economy....................................................14
Religious Freedom and Human Rights................................16
Religious Freedom............................................16
Human Rights...............................................16
List of Figures
Figure 1. Map of Bangladesh.......................................18
List of Tables
Table 1. U.S. Foreign Assistance to Bangladesh..........................3



Bangladesh: Political Turmoil
and Transition
Recent Developments1
Since January 2007, Bangladesh has been ruled under a state of emergency by
a military-backed caretaker government led by “Chief Adviser” Fakhruddin Ahmed.
This interim administration assumed control of the government and postponed
elections that had been scheduled for January 2007 at a time when many feared that
election related violence would escalate. Since, it has embarked on an anti-corruption
drive and has pledged to return Bangladesh to democracy by holding elections by the
end of the 2008. The current government’s anti-corruption drive appears to be aimed
at ridding Bangladesh of what many see as endemic corruption associated with
Sheikh Hasina of the Awami League (AL) and Khaleda Zia of the Bangladesh
National Party (BNP), both of whom are former Prime Ministers of Bangladesh.
Despite this effort, it appears that the BNP and the AL, or factions thereof, will be the
leading political contenders in the next election. Discontent over increasing food
prices may exacerbate political tensions and lead to street protests. This could hinder
the caretaker government’s ability to govern and could lead to a prolonged state of
emergency that could lead to further destabilization and further erode democracy in
Bangladesh.2
The government reportedly arrested some 10,000 people in early June to3
“maintain law and order” in the lead-up to elections. “Local leaders and activists of
major political parties, labour leaders, student activists and local government4
representatives” were reportedly among those arrested. In May 2008, the interim
government invited the main political parties to enter into a dialogue with it to
discuss the restoration of democracy in Bangladesh. Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia
boycotted the talks on the basis that elections could not proceed without the country’s5


two main political leaders.
1 Many of the observations included in this report are based on interviews conducted by the
author in Dhaka in February of 2008.
2 “Country Report Bangladesh,” Economist Intelligence Unit, May 2008.
3 “Over 10,000 Arrested in Bangladesh as Political Dialogue Stalled,” Indo-Asian News
Service, June 3, 2008.
4 “Bangladesh Asks Foreign Envoys to Refrain From ‘Interference,’” BBC News, June 3,

2008.


5 Mark Dummett, “Thousands Arrested in Bangladesh,” BBC News, June 4, 2008.
“Bangladesh Parties Decline Talks,” BBC News, May 28, 2008.

Bilateral Relations with the United States
Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia John
Gastright stated on August 1, 2007, in testimony before the House Subcommittee on
the Middle East and South Asia, that Bangladesh was “... fast becoming a democracy
in name only, where money, cronyism and intimidation increasingly dictated the
outcome of elections.” In discussing the shift to the new military-backed caretaker
government, he stated that U.S. was initially “troubled that this dramatic shift in
government might signal a hidden agenda to indefinitely delay a return to democracy
and conceal a secret military coup.” He added that the caretaker government was
responsive to calls for outlining a roadmap to elections and the restoration of6
democracy.
The United States has long-standing supportive relations with Bangladesh and
has viewed Bangladesh as a moderate voice in the Islamic world. Major U.S.
interests in Bangladesh include political stability and democratization; continuation
of economic reform and market-opening policies; social and economic development;
environmental issues; countering anti-Western Islamist groups; and improvement of
the human rights situation. Many in the United States would particularly like to
bolster Bangladesh’s democracy, which is destabilized by political violence. In early

2003, Dhaka was the site of modestly-sized street demonstrations in opposition to the7


U.S.-led invasion of Iraq.
Bangladesh is a recipient of significant international aid. It has received more
than $30 billion from foreign donors since its independence in 1971. The State
Department has requested a total of $88.8 million in assistance for Bangladesh in the
FY2008 budget request.8 U.S. assistance to Bangladesh supports health and economic
development programs, the improvement of working conditions, including the
elimination of child labor. P.L. 480 funds provide food assistance for the poorest
families and for disaster relief. International Military Education and Training
programs strengthen the international peacekeeping force of Bangladesh, which is a
leading contributor of U.N. peacekeeping personnel.
The United States has generally had a negative balance of trade with Bangladesh
since 1986. The United States is Bangladesh’s largest export destination. Ready made
garments and jute carpet backing are two of Bangladesh’s key exports to the U.S.
Bangladesh’s main import partners are India, China, Kuwait, Singapore, Japan, and


6 Statement of John Gastright Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central
Asian Affairs Before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on the Middle
East and South Asia, August 1, 2007.
7 “Text: Powell, Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khan Confer in Washington Jan 24,” USIS
Washington File, January 24, 2003; “Bangladesh Port City Sees Largest Anti-War Protest,”
Reuters News, April 6, 2003.
8 “South and Central Asia,” Budget Justification Document for 2007, Department of State,

2006, p. 494.



Hong Kong.9 The United States exports wheat, fertilizer, cotton, communications
equipment, and medical supplies, among other goods to Bangladesh. 10
In April 2008, U.S. Ambassador James Moriarty reportedly articulated three key
dimensions to American foreign policy toward Bangladesh. These are democracy,
development, and preventing terrorists from gaining influence in the country. He also
stated that credible and transparent elections will be extremely difficult to conduct
under a state of emergency, and he believes the caretaker government is taking steps
to hold elections by the end of the year and that progress has been made in the area
of human rights. Moriarty is cited as saying that “we are working closely with the
government to strengthen the capacity of law enforcement agencies to fight terrorism
and improve control of Bangladesh’s borders and ports of entry.”11
The State Department budget has identified American aid priorities as focused
on promoting “peace and security by strengthening democratic governance and
tackling the underlying social, demographic, and economic factors that make
Bangladesh vulnerable to violent extremism” through programs aimed at “democracy
and governance, health, education, disaster management, food security, and economic
growth.”12 The U.S. has provided about $5 billion in aid to Bangladesh since
independence in 1971.13
Table 1. U.S. Foreign Assistance to Bangladesh
(in thousands of dollars)
FY2007 FY2008 FY2009
(Actua l) (Est .) ( R equest )
CSH 29,935 37,181 29,575
DA 10,430 29,190 39,060
ESF 3 ,750 - -
FMF 990 595 1,000
IMET 934 761 800
INCLE - 198 800
NADR 2,575 6,301 3,600
PL 48035,61830,78332,000
To tal 84,232 105,009 106,835
Source:Bangladesh Program Overview,” State Department Budget
Justification Document, 2008.
Abbreviations: Child Survival and Health (CSH), Development Assistance
(DA), Economic Support Fund (ESF), Foreign Military Financing (FMF),
International Military Education and Training, (IMET), International
Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement (INCLE), Non-proliferation
Antiterrorism, Demining, and Related Programs (NADR)


9 “Bangladesh,” CIA, The World Factbook, August 8, 2006.
10 “Background Notes: Bangladesh,” U.S. Department of State, August 2005.
11 “Moriarty Says Army Role Could Isolate Bangla,” United News of Bangladesh, April 21,

2008.


12 “Bangladesh Program Overview,” State Department Budget Justification Document,

2008.


13 “New Envoy Says Task to be Very Difficult,” The Daily Star, April 23, 2008.

General Background
Bangladesh is among the poorest and most corrupt countries in the world. The
largely agricultural economy suffers frequent and serious setbacks from cyclones and
floods. Bangladesh is believed to have large reserves of natural gas.
History
Formerly known as East Pakistan, and before that as the East Bengal region of
British India, Bangladesh gained its independence from Pakistan in 1971 following
a civil war that included military intervention by India. Whereas the partition of
British India into India and Pakistan was the result of religious division between
Hindus and Muslims, the partition of Pakistan that created Bangladesh was more the
result of ethnic division and the desire for self expression by Bengalis from East
Pakistan. This double partition was a challenge to the rationale for Pakistan and
points to the national component of Bengali identity rather than to the religious
component that has played an increasingly important role in Bangladesh politics and
identity in recent years.14
Bangladeshi politics have been
Bangladesh in Briefcharacterized by a bitter struggle
between the Bangladesh National
Population: 153.5 million; growth rate: 2.02%Party (BNP) and the Awami League
Land Area: 147,570 sq. km. (slightly smaller(AL), and particularly between the
than Iowa) 55.39% of which is arable landtwo leaders of the respective parties,
Capital: Dhaka, population approx. 10 million
Language: Bengali (official); English widelyformer Prime Minister Khaleda Zia
used(1991-1996, 2001-2006) and former
Literacy: 43.1%Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed
Ethnic Groups: Approximately 98% Bengali(1996-2001). Zia is the widow of
with some tribal and no-Bengali groupsformer president and military strong-
Religion: Muslim 88.3%; Hindu 10.5%
Life Expectancy at Birth: 63.21 yearsman Ziaur Rahman, who was assassi-
Infant Mortality: 57.45 per 1,000 birthsnated in 1981. Sheikh Hasina is the
Inflation: 7.2%daughter of Bangladeshi independ-
Poverty: 45% are below the poverty lineence leader and first prime minister
Gross Domestic Product: 6% growth with perSheikh Mujibur Rahman, who was
capita ppp = $1,400
GDP by Sector: Agriculture 19%, industryassassinated in 1975. When out of
28.7%, services 52.3%power, both the AL and the BNP
Labor Force: Agriculture 63%, industry 11%,have devoted their energies to parlia-
services 26%mentary boycotts, demonstrations,
Key Exports: Garments, jute, leather, frozenand strikes in an effort to unseat the
fish, seafood
Key Export Partners: U.S. 24.9%, Germanyruling party. The strikes often suc-
12.8%, U.K. 9.8%, France 5%ceeded in immobilizing the govern-
ment and disrupting economic activ-
Sources: CIA, The World Factbook; Reuters; BBCity. The President’s powers are
News; The Economist Intelligence Unit; U.S.
Departments of State and Commerce; Worldlargely ceremonial but are expanded
Bank.during the tenure of a caretaker gov-
ernment.


14 Maneeza Hossain, “Broken Pendulum: Bangladesh’s Swing to Radicalism,” The Hudson
Institute, 2007.

There has been much political violence in Bangladesh in recent years. The State
Department issued a statement that “strongly condemned” the bomb attack that killed
four, including former Awami League Finance Minister A.M.S. Kibria, and injured
70 at a political rally of the Awami League on January 27, 2005. The incident was
described by the State Department as “the latest in a series of often deadly attacks on
prominent leaders of the political opposition and civil society.” On August 21, 2004,
grenades were hurled in an apparent political assassination attempt on opposition
leader Sheikh Hasina at a political rally in Dhaka and killed 22. These two attacks,
and widespread bombings on August 17, 2005, marked a rising tide of political
violence in Bangladesh. The formerly ruling Awami League alleged that the Islamist
Jamaat-e-Islami and Islamiya Okiyya Jote parties protected the radicals responsible
for the violence from prosecution by the government.15
Geography
Bangladesh is a low-lying riparian nation of much agricultural fertility with a
subtropical monsoonal climate that is particularly prone to flooding. The country’s
alluvial plain is drained by five major river systems that flow into the Bay of Bengal.
Some 40% of Bangladesh’s total land area is flooded on average each year washing
away 1% of arable land.16 It has a large delta at the confluence of the Ganges,
Brahmaputra, and Meghana rivers and their tributaries. The southwest coastal jungle
region is known as the Sundarbans and is home to some of the few remaining Bengal
Tigers in the world. There are some hills in the Chittagong Hill Tract region in the
southeast and near Sylhet in the northeast of the country. Bangladesh is subject to
major cyclones that cause extensive flooding at the rate of some 16 floods per
decade.17 The low lying aspect of Bangladesh’s terrain makes it particularly
vulnerable to sea level rise due to climate change.
Government, Politics, and Elections
Structure of Government
An understanding of the close political balance between the two main parties in
the last election is necessary to understand the political maneuvering that has taken
place in the lead-up to the elections that were scheduled for January 22, 2007. The
January 2007 elections were postponed by the military-backed interim government
ostensibly to forestall mounting political violence and remove corrupt officials from
office. Bangladesh has a 300-seat unicameral national parliament known as the Jatiya
Sangsad. During the last election, held on October 1, 2001, the Zia-led Bangladesh
National Party and its alliance partners won 41% of votes. The BNP’s alliance
partners in that election included the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), the Islamiya Okiya Jote
(IOJ), and the Jatiya Party (JP) - Manzur Faction. They were opposed by the Hasina-
led Awami League which won 40% of the vote. The number of seats won by party


15 Roland Buerk, “Bangladesh and Islamic Militants,” BBC News, February 25, 2005.
16 Devin Hagerty, “Bangladesh in 2007,” Asian Survey, February 2008.
17 “Background Notes: Bangladesh,” Department of State, Bureau of South and Central
Asian Affairs, May 2007.

were as follows: BNP: 193, AL: 58, JI: 17, JP (Ershad Faction): 14, IOJ: 2, JP
(Manzur Faction): 4, and others: 12.18
Elections in Bangladesh are to be held every five years. Bangladesh has
instituted a provision for the President to appoint an interim government in the
immediate lead-up to polls in order to prevent the incumbent government from using
the powers of office to unfair political advantage.
Political Dynamics
The intense and at times violent political rivalry between the BNP and the AL,
and the presence of radical Islamist parties and groups, have defined Bangladesh’s
poor political environment in recent years. Other challenges facing Bangladesh
include rampant corruption, dysfunctional parliamentary government, a weak
judiciary, poor human rights, communal conflict, periodic environmental disasters,
and poverty.19
Political turmoil and violence, the politicisation of the public administration and
concerns that corruption obstructs private sector investment and public service
delivery are key elements of what is widely deemed a ‘crisis of governance’.
These mount amid newer concerns about security and the perceived rise of
Islamic militancy.20
There is also increasing concern that the military may continue to play a political role
in the future despite its pledge to return Bangladesh to democratic government.
Former U.S. Ambassador Patricia Butenis stated that Bangladeshis
have suffered because the political parties ... could not agree on the basic rules
of the game ... the hard part is actually creating political parties that are
genuinely democratic in practice and outlook, parties that focus on issues and the21
national interest instead of personalities...
In the lead-up to the scheduled January 2007 election, observers generally feared
that political infighting, corruption, rising Islamist extremism, and political violence
would further erode the Bangladesh government’s ability to effectively or
democratically govern. Bombings and other violence “targeted opponents of


18 Bangladesh elects its representatives by district. CIA, The World Factbook,
[ ht t p: / / www.ci s.gov/ ci a/ publ i cat i ons/ f act book/ geos/ bg] .
19 “Bangladesh Today,” International Crisis Group, October 23, 2006.
20 Manzoor Hasan and Imran Matin eds. The State of Governance in Bangladesh 2006,
(Dhaka: Centre for Governance Studies, BRAC University and BRAC Research and
Evaluation Division, 2006).
21 Ambassador Patricia Butenis, “Elections: The Road Ahead,” Dhaka University, December

17, 2006.



Islamization: secular and leftist politicians, intellectuals and journalists, and religious
minority groups.”22
Lead Up to 2008 Elections
There is concern that elections scheduled to take place by the end of 2008 may
be delayed and that this could precipitate a further erosion of democracy and lead to
further political instability in Bangladesh. The acting leader of the Awami League,
Zillur Rahman, has stated that his party will not participate in the next general
elections if they are held under a state of emergency. He added that elections would
not be possible if AL leader Sheikh Hasina was not released from jail.23 Hasina has
been held on charges of graft, abuse of power, and extortion in a building inside the
parliament complex since July 2007. She is among 170 political figures being held
on corruption charges by the interim government. Of the 170, 40 have thus far been
convicted. Hasina, who is 60, was hospitalized in April due to high blood pressure.
The AL has threatened street protests to achieve her release. Hasina has reportedly
stated that she doubts that polls will be held by the end of the year.24
The Bangladesh National Party has split into two factions. One remains loyal
to Khaleda Zia while another has broken away. Zia unsuccessfully challenged the
breakaway faction’s right to hold discussions with the interim government’s Election
Commission. The 62-year-old Zia is also under detention on corruption charges in
the parliamentary complex.25 As a result of a court ruling, the breakaway group led
by Hafizuddin Ahmed has strengthened its claim to the leadership of the BNP.26
Hafizuddin is acting Secretary General of the pro-Saifur faction while Khandaker
Delwar Hossain was appointed BNP Secretary General by Khaleda Zia.27 Saifur
Rahman is viewed as a reformist leader in the AL.28 Delwar has stated that, “No
election would be held under the state of emergency and release of the two top
leaders is a must for holding an acceptable election.”29


22 Stephen Ulph, “Nationwide Bombing Campaign in Bangladesh,” The Jamestown
Foundation, August 19, 2005.
23 Hasan Jahid Tusher, “AL Won’t Join Talks if Hasina Not Freed,” The Daily Star, May

28, 2008.


24 “Bangladesh Party Refuses to Contest Polls Under Emergency,” BBC News, April 21,

2008. “Bangladesh’s Biggest Party Demands Release of Ex-PM,” Reuters, April 13, 2008.


“Former Bangladesh PM Hasina Hospitalised,” Asian News International, April 19, 2008.
“Bangladesh Ex-PM’s Party Threatens Street Movement for Her Release,” BBC News, April

12, 2008. “Bangladesh Detained Ex-PM Hasina Doubts Polls by Year End,” BBC News,


April 8, 2008.
25 “Bangladesh Court Rejects Zia Appeal,” Aljazeera, April 10, 2008.
26 Nizam Ahmed, “Bangladesh’s Khaleda Suffers Setback in Court Ruling,” Reuters, April

10, 2008.


27 “Interim Govt Calls Both Factions of Ex-PM Zia’s Party for Informal Talks,” BBC News,
April 9, 2008.
28 “BNP Factions Still in their Respective Stances,” Promotho Alo, April 19, 2008.
29 “No Polls Under Huda-Led EC,” Daily Star, April 24, 2008.

The recent dramatic rise in food costs in Bangladesh is contributing to the
destabilized political situation there. Food prices reportedly have doubled in
Bangladesh over the past year in part due to flooding associated with Cyclone Sidr
and other storms in 2007. Concurrently, there is also a dramatic rise in regional and
global food prices. The price of rice in some Asian markets has reportedly risen from
$460 per metric ton to approximately $1,000 in less than two months.30 Bangladesh
is now experiencing acute shortages of food, driving prices up. There has been some
rioting in Dhaka as a result.31 The growing world food crisis is particularly acute in
places like Bangladesh where more than half the people are landless laborers who are
in no position to grow their own food.32 An estimated 60 million of Bangladesh’s
poor spend 40% of their income on food. The crisis is raising discontent with the
interim government’s state of emergency and is reportedly emboldening the parties
to act. In the words of one laborer, “our politicians were corrupt, but we had enough
money to buy food.” 33
The Caretaker Government
Many initially welcomed the intervention by the military as it was thought to
have prevented anticipated violence. While initially welcomed as a stabilizing
influence, the military-backed interim government is increasingly viewed in
Bangladesh, and abroad, as a potential threat to democratic government in Dhaka.
Anti-Corruption Drive. Corruption is widespread in Bangladesh. Berlin-
based Transparency International ranked Bangladesh as among the world’s most
corrupt countries with a rank of 162 out of 179 countries.34 According to one source,
Bangladesh took disciplinary action against a significant percentage of its police
force in recent years for offenses ranging from corruption to dereliction of duty.35
Bangladesh’s largest port, Chittagong, which handles 90% of all trade to Bangladesh,
is reportedly hampered by widespread corruption and a rapid increase in piracy.36
U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Richard Boucher has
stated “the main obstacles [for Bangladesh] are corruption and poor governance.”37


30 Kevin Sullivan, “Food Crisis is Depicted as Silent Tsunami,” Washington Post, April 23,

2008.


31 David Montero, “Asia Limits Rice Exports as Prices and Uncertainty Rise,” The Christian
Science Monitor, April 22, 2008.
32 “Reviving the Ration Card,” and “The New Face of Hunger,” The Economist, April 19,

2008.


33 “A Different Sort of Emergency,” The Economist, April 19, 2008.
34 The index ranks 179 countries based on a composite of surveys drawn from a number of
institutions gathering the perceptions of business people and analysts. The index defines
corruption as the abuse of public office for private gain. (2007 Transparency International
Corruption Perceptions Index, [http://www.transparency.org/policy_research/surveys].)
35 “Bangladesh Punishes Nearly Two Thirds of Its Police Force,” Reuters, August 20, 2006.
36 Elizabeth Mills, “Anger After Bangladeshi Port Is Named Worst for Piracy,” Global
Insight, July 28, 2006.
37 “Corruption, Intra-Party Conflicts Challenge Bangladesh’s Next Elections,” United News
(continued...)

A key goal for the caretaker government has been to remove Hasina and Zia,
and their associated political machines, from the political scene in Bangladesh. This
“minus two” strategy has met with mixed success. The government was unsuccessful
in its attempts to exile the two but has kept them under detention. In May 2008, the
caretaker government announced the formation of a “truth commission.” Those
appearing before the truth commission and giving details of fraud would not be tried
for their crimes but would be banned from contesting elections for five years.38
The Role of the Military. The power behind the caretaker government is
thought by some to reside with the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence
(DGFI). The military has sought to exert its influence from behind the scenes through
the interim caretaker government. Army Chief General Moeen Ahmed has reiterated
his pledge that the military has no political ambition and that it remains committed
to the political roadmap to hold elections by the end of 2008. He added that the army39
wishes to see honest and competent leadership come to power. Many observers
believe that the military wants to rid Bangladesh of past corrupt leaders and to then
withdraw from politics in a way that would preserve the military’s position in society
and avoid retaliation by disaffected politicians. The extent to which there is uniform
support for this objective within the armed forces is unclear. General Ahmed’s term
as Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of Bangladesh has been extended to June 2009.
There has been discussion of a proposed National Security Council (NSC). This has
caused concern that the military’s role in the affairs of state could be institutionalized40
through the creation of a NSC.
The difficulty that the military has had in dealing with economic difficulties,
natural disasters, and the “minus two” strategy, has reportedly undermined the morale
of some in the armed forces and led to internal tensions within the military. There is
reportedly a split within the officer corps between senior and junior officers with the
latter group believing that senior officers have been corrupted through their
involvement in the political process. The perception that the military’s reform agenda41
is faltering may lead to further division.
It is thought by some observers that General Ahmed is interested in becoming
president. There is also speculation that he and others in the military favor reform
that would strengthen the presidency and allow the president to sack an elected prime
minister and dissolve parliament. Such a president, it is thought, would be able to use42


the proposed National Security Council to facilitate his or her role in government.
37 (...continued)
of Bangladesh, May 18, 2006.
38 “Truth Commission for Bangladesh,” BBC News, May 26, 2008.
39 “No Deviation From Electoral Roadmap, Says Gen. Moeen,” United News of Bangladesh,
April 11, 2008.
40 Country Report: Bangladesh, The Economist Intelligence Unit, May 2008.
41 “Restoring Democracy in Bangladesh,” International Crisis Group, April 28, 2008.
42 “Bangladesh Today,” International Crisis Group, October 23, 2006.

It has been argued that the military will be, at least in part, restrained by a desire
not to jeopardize its lucrative involvement in international peacekeeping. Bangladesh
first became involved in United Nations (U.N.) peacekeeping in 1988 and has since
contributed some 60,000 soldiers to such efforts. Bangladesh had some 9,600 soldiers
serving abroad in U.N. peace operations in 11 different countries in March 2008,
making Bangladesh one of the largest sources of U.N. troops.43 It has been reported
that the U.N. resident representative in Bangladesh has in the past pointed out that
the military’s actions in Bangladesh have implications for its involvement in U.N.
peacekeeping contracts.44 Bangladeshi troops have a reputation for being disciplined
and have fewer complaints lodged against them than U.N. troops from many other
countries. 45
Islamist Extremism
Bangladesh was originally founded on secular-socialist principles and firmly
grounded in an ethnic Bengali nationalism as opposed to a Muslim religious identity.
Some have attributed the rise of Islamist influence in Bangladesh to the failure of
Bangladeshi political elites to effectively govern. This has been described as a crisis
of hegemony of the rulers who have failed to provide moral leadership or effectively
represent the interests of the masses.46 Many believe this has created political space
for the Islamists to gain influence.
The May 2008 attacks in Jaipur, India suggests that Islamist extremists from
Bangladesh remain a threat in the region. The May 13 bombings in Jaipur are thought
to have killed 80 and wounded 200. It has been reported that Indian investigators
believe that the Bangladeshi group Harkat ul-Jihad-al-Islami is responsible for the
attacks. Such attacks also threaten to undermine inter-communal harmony in India
as Indian Muslims increasingly fear reprisals for such attacks.47
The caretaker government indicated its resolve to fight Islamist extremism by
executing six leaders of the Islamist extremist group Jamaatul Mujahideen
Bangladesh (JMB) in March 2007. The previous BNP government also demonstrated
new-found resolve to fight terrorism before it stepped down, despite having Islamist
political parties in its coalition. There is a fear among some observers that the current
crisis confronting Bangladesh may create a political or security vacuum that radical
Islamists may seek to fill.


43 “2,728 Bangladeshi Peacekeepers Decorated with UN Medal,” Independent Bangladesh,
March 31, 2008.
44 “The UN in Bangladesh,” The Economist, February 21, 2007.
45 Roland Buerk, “The Cream of UN Peacekeepers,” BBC News, January 18, 2006.
46 Ali Riaz, God Willing: The Politics of Islamism in Bangladesh, (New York: Rowman and
Littlefield Publishers, 2004).
47 Emily Wax, “Poor Muslims Cite Fear of Backlash After Blasts in Historic Indian City,”
Washington Post, May 16, 2008.

The political context for the potential influence of Islamist extremism is
demonstrated by the role that Islamist parties played as coalition partners in the
previous BNP government. The BNP government of Khaleda Zia ruled with coalition
support from the Jamaat Islami (JI) and Islami Okiya Jote (IOJ) political parties.
These two political parties have an Islamist political agenda and are thought to have
ties to radical extremists.48
Because of the near even electoral balance between the BNP and the AL in the
pre-2007 political environment, the Islamist political parties, JI and IOJ in particular,
enjoyed political influence disproportionate to their support among the Bangladeshi
electorate. The current split within the BNP appears to be creating a more multi-party
system in which Islamist political parties may not enjoy the same degree of influence.
Some analysts believe the parties’ abilities to be political queen - makers may be less
obvious with more potential political factions and parties. Islamists rioted in Dhaka
in April 2008 to protest a draft law that would give equal inheritance rights to
women. This triggered further protests in Chittagong on April 11 in which Islamist
activists, many of them reportedly madrasa students, attacked a police station.49
Extremist Groups
Several terrorist and militant extremist groups operate in Bangladesh, including
Harkat ul Jihad al Islami (HuJi), Jagrata Muslim Janata Bangladesh (JMJB), and
Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB). The Bangladeshi opposition, analysts, and
media observers have alleged that the presence in the former ruling Bangladesh
National Party (BNP) Coalition government of two Islamist parties, the Islamiya
Okiyya Jote (IOJ) and the Jamaat-e-Islami, had expanded Islamist influence in
Bangladesh and created space within which terrorist and extremist groups could
operate. Islami Okiyya Jote is reported to have ties to the radical Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-
Islami (HuJI).50 Jamaat may also have had ties to Harkat ul-Jihad-i-Islami, which
itself has ties to Al Qaeda. Harkat leader Fazlul Rahman signed an Osama bin Laden
holy war declaration in 1998.51 JMB seeks the imposition of Sharia law for
Bangladesh and is thought responsible for the widespread and coordinated August
2005 bombings. HuJI has been implicated in the January 2002 attack on the
American Center in Calcutta, India.52 HuJI, or the Movement of Islamic Holy War,
is on the U.S. State Department’s list of “other terrorist organizations” and is thought
to have links to Pakistani militant groups. It is also thought to have a cadre strength


48 See CRS Report RL33646, Bangladesh: Background and U.S. Relations, by Bruce
Vaughn, for additional background information.
49 “Authorities Order Intensified Security Vigil in Dhaka,” Press Trust of India, April 12,
2008. See CRS Report RS22591, Islamist Extremism in Bangladesh, by Bruce Vaughn for
additional background information.
50 Roland Buerk, “Bangladesh and Islamic Militants,” BBC News, February 25, 2005.
51 “Bangladesh Becoming a Regional Terror Hub,” Hindustan Times, August 3, 2006.
52 “Bangladesh’s First Suicide Bombers,” Janes Terrorism and Security Monitor, January

18, 2006.



of several thousand.53 Awami League sources claimed that former fundamentalist
leader Bangla Bhai had ties to Jamaat-e-Islami.54 AL leader Sheikh Hasina has
accused the previous government of “letting loose communal extremist forces.”55
Some news sources have reported that international extremists have used
Bangladeshi passports and that some have obtained them with the assistance of
sympathetic officials at various Bangladesh Embassies under the previous
government. 56
Two senior members of IOJ have reportedly been connected with the
reemergence of Harkat ul Jihad (HuJi) under the name “Conscious Islamic People.”57
It has also been reported that the political wing of HuJi may seek to enter politics
under the name Islami Gono Andolon.58 The former BNP government had denied the
presence of significant terrorist elements in the country and reportedly had even
expelled BNP lawmaker Abu Hena from the BNP for speaking out against extremist
activities at a time when the official view was that such extremists did not exist.59
The former BNP government eventually moved to suppress the Jamaat-ul-
Mujahideen (JMB) and the Jagrata Muslim Janata Bangladesh (JMJB) terrorist
groups operating in Bangladesh. The government sentenced to death JMB leaders
Shaikh Abdur Rahman and Siddiq ul Islam, also known as “Bangla Bhai,” as well as
five other JMB members, in May 2006. They were subsequently executed for their
role in the bombings.60 The two Islamist militant leaders received their sentences for
the murder of two judges in November of 2005. They are also believed to have been
behind widespread bombings in Bangladesh and to have sought to replace the secular
legal system with Sharia law through such attacks. The government also reportedly
has arrested some 900 lower-level militants, seven known senior leaders, 4 out of 11
commanders, and some 20 district leaders on terrorism charges.61 Despite this, the
then leader of the opposition, Sheikh Hassina, stated “militants are partners of the
government ... the government catches a few militants whenever foreign guests visit
Bangladesh.” She has also alleged that Jamaat has 15,000 guerillas and its own


53 Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism, Department of State, Patterns of Global
Terrorism, 2003, April 29, 2004.
54 Roland Buerk, “Bangladesh’s Escalating Extremism,” BBC News, November 29, 2005.
55 Roland Buerk, “Dhaka Struggles to Respond to Bombs,” BBC News, August 2005.
56 “International Terrorists Using Bangladeshi Passports,” Notes From the Bangla Media,
August 30, 2006, The U.S. Embassy, Dhaka, “Bangladesh Press Selection,” BBC News,
August 30, 2006; and “BSF Wants Anup Chetia Deported,” Indian Express, August 29,

2006.


57 “IOJ Behind Reemergence of Harkatul Jihad,” Notes From the Bangla Media, United
States Embassy, Dhaka, August 22, 2006.
58 “War on Terror Digest 21-22 Aug 06,” BBC Monitoring, August 22, 2006.
59 “Summer of Discontent in the BNP,” United News of Bangladesh, June 9, 2006.
60 “Bangladesh Arrests Two Senior Leaders of Banned Militant Group,” BBC News, July 12,

2007.


61 “Bangladesh Coalition Partners to Face Election Together Amid Terrorism Charges,”
Open Source Center, July 13, 2006.

training camps. Hassina has also stated that the arrest of JMB operatives is “only the
tip of the iceberg.”62
It appears that the former BNP government shifted its position on the necessity
of acknowledging and addressing Islamist militants in August of 2005. In response,
JMB leader Rahman reportedly has stated, “masks will fall and you [the authorities]
will be exposed.” Such an allegation is consistent with allegations by the AL
opposition, which has accused the government, or more likely elements within the
government, of allowing Islamist militancy to rise in Bangladesh.63
Selig Harrison, a prominent South Asia Analyst, noted in early August 2006 that
“a growing Islamic fundamentalist movement linked to al-Qaeda and Pakistani
intelligence agencies is steadily converting the strategically located nation of
Bangladesh into a new regional hub for terrorist operations that reach into India and
Southeast Asia.” Harrison pointed out that former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s
Bangladesh National Party’s coalition alliance with the Jamaat-e-Islami Party of
Bangladesh led to a “Faustian bargain” that brought Jamaat officials into the
government. These officials, he argued, in turn allowed Taliban-styled squads to
operate with impunity. Jamaat’s entry into the former BNP government also
reportedly led to fundamentalist control over large parts of the Bangladesh economy,
Islamist madrassa schools acting as fronts for terrorist activity, fundamentalist
inroads being made in the armed forces, and rigging (by manipulating voter lists) of
the elections that were originally scheduled for January 2007.64
The State Department continues to view the government of Bangladesh as
working to thwart terrorist activities. In responding to a question from an Indian
journalist who asserted that Bangladesh “is not only aiding and abetting the separatist
Indian guerilla forces, but is also ... supporting and helping the Islamic forces to fight
against India,” Assistant Secretary of State Boucher stated the following:
We see that Bangladesh is a very populated country with a developing security
service, a developing ability to fight terrorism, with some successes already that
they can show in terms of arresting the leaders of the major terrorist group that
has been operating in Bangladesh, but with a lot of work left to do, in terms of
getting the whole network and getting, stopping other people who might be65
operating there.
On July 11, 2006, a series of coordinated bomb blasts killed approximately 200
persons while wounding some 500 others on commuter trains in Bombay (Mumbai),
India. Indian authorities subsequently arrested several individuals reportedly with ties
to terrorist groups in Bangladesh and Nepal who were “directly or indirectly” linked
to Pakistan. Indian intelligence officials have portrayed the bombers as being backed


62 “Militants Arrest Meant to Impress US: Hassina,” Hindustan Times, August 4, 2006.
63 “Bangladesh Blast Masterminds Sentenced to Death,” Agence France-Presse, May 29,

2006.


64 Selig Harrison, “A New Hub for Terrorism? In Bangladesh, An Islamic Movement with
Al-Qaeda Ties is on the Rise,” Washington Post, August 2, 2006.
65 “Richard Boucher Holds a News Conference in Calcutta, India,” CQ Transcripts, August

4, 2006. “U.S. Wants Pakistan to Move Against Terrorists,” The Hindu, August 5, 2006.



by Pakistan-supported terrorist groups. Pakistan has denied these allegations.66
Allegations had been made that the explosives had come from Bangladesh. In
response, Bangladesh authorities stated that the Jamaat ul-Mujahideen (JMB) attacks
in Bangladesh on August 17, 2005, which killed 30 in a series of nationwide blasts,
were of Indian origin.67 Six of the eight arrested in India in connection with the
bombings are thought to have received training from Lashkar-e-Toiba at terrorist
camps in Pakistan. Lashkar is a Pakistan-based, Al Queda-allied terrorist group.
Although most of the terrorism focus in India has been on Pakistan, Bharatiya
Janata Party (BJP) President Rajnath Singh has called on the Indian government to
pressure Bangladesh to dismantle terrorist training centers in Bangladesh. The Hindu
nationalist BJP is the leading opposition party in India. Singh also stated that
Bangladesh had become “a centre of Islamic fundamentalist forces.”68 The anti-
terrorism squad investigating the Bombay blasts also interrogated a number of
individuals in a village in Tripura, India, that borders Bangladesh.69 A bombing in
Varanasi, India, in March 2006 also reportedly had links to HuJi in Bangladesh.70
Army forces captured Habibur Rahman Bulbuli in June 2007. Bulbuli was
leader of the Khelafat Majlish that is a component of the Islamiya Okiya Jote, which
was a junior partner in the former BNP government of Khaleda Zia. Bulbuli has
claimed to be a veteran of fighting in Afghanistan and a follower of Osama bin
Laden.71 In June 2007, Bangladesh police charged Mufti Hannan and three
accomplices, who are all now in prison, with trying to assassinate the British High
Commissioner Anwar Choudhury in 2004. Choudhury, who is of Bangladeshi
origin, was wounded in a grenade attack as were some 50 others. Three were also
killed in the attack which occurred at a shrine near Choudhury’s ancestral home.72
The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) reportedly captured four suspected members of
Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen, as well as grenades and explosives, near Kishoregani
northwest of Dhaka on July 18, 2007.73


66 “Three Arrested Over Mumbai Bombs Linked to Pakistan,” Financial Times, August 6,

2006.


67 Waliur Rahman, “Dhaka Dismisses Mumbai Bomb Claim,” BBC News, July 15, 2006.
68 “Uproot Terror Camps From Bangla: BJP,” Hindustan Times, July 19, 2006.
69 “Mumbai Police Interrogates Terror Suspects in Tripura,” Hindustan Times, July 19,

2006.


70 “Bangla Immigrants the Threat Within,” Times of India, July 14, 2006.
71 “Bangladesh Forces Capture Afghan War Veteran Bulbuli,” Asia News International, May

16, 2007.


72 “B’desh Charges Islamists for Attacks on U.K. Envoy,” Reuters, June 9, 2007.
73 “Bangladesh Arrests Islamists, Seizes Explosives,” Reuters, July 18, 2007.

The Economy
Bangladesh is one of the poorest countries in Asia, with almost half the
population living on a dollar a day or less. Population growth, natural disasters, and
political instability have all placed constraints on the economic development of the
country. Bangladesh is believed to have significant onshore and offshore natural gas
deposits that could bring future prosperity to the country.
The most immediate economic challenge for the interim government is to gain
control over consumer price inflation, as many Bangladeshis are finding food too
expensive. One survey found that the cost of food staples grew 50% in 2007 and food
prices have continued to rise in 2008. Speculators are thought to be hoarding rice and
the government has moved to try to restrict banks from loaning money to hoarders74
of rice. Cyclone Sidr, which killed an estimated 3,400 and destroyed an estimated
$291 million worth of the winter rice crop, followed heavy flooding in July and
August 2007 which also had a negative impact on the harvest. As a result,
Bangladesh had a 3.1 million ton shortfall to meet domestic demand for the year75
ending in June 2008. Such discontent could make an already volatile political
situation even more difficult. Another key challenge is underemployment which is76
estimated to be 24.5% of the population.
Bangladesh’s economic growth is expected to slow. Although actual GNP
growth was 6.6% in 2006, Bangladesh’s GNP growth is estimated to be 6.5% in 2007
and is projected to slow to 5.7% in 2008. Weakened external demand for textiles and
labor problems are contributing causes for this slowdown, though there are signs that
textiles are already recovering. The garment sector in Bangladesh accounts for 80%
of exports and 40% of industrial jobs. Key export markets include the United States
(25.2%), Germany (12.7%), the United Kingdom (9.9%), France (5.5%), and Italy
(3.9)%. Private consumption in Bangladesh now accounts for some 65% of GDP.77
Bangladesh is thought to have significant reserves of natural gas, although
estimates of its reserves have varied over the years. It was reported in Oil and Gas
Journal in 2006 that Bangladesh had 5 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of proven gas
reserves. In 2004 , Bangladesh’s Ministry of Finance estimated that Bangladesh had
some 20.5 Tcf of recoverable reserves. In 2001, the U.S. Geological Survey estimated
that Bangladesh had over 32 Tcf of undiscovered reserves. Natural gas accounts for
80% of Bangladesh’s commercial energy consumption. Though there have been
negotiations to build a pipeline to export gas to India these have not come to fruition.
Instead, the Bangladesh government appears to have focused on meeting
Bangladesh’s current and future energy needs. As a result, India has explored


74 Rejaul Karim Byron, “Move on Against People Out to Hoard Rice,” The Daily Star, May

15, 2008.


75 “Bangladesh Army Chief Concerned at High Rice Prices,” Agence France-Presse, January

4, 2008.


76 Inam Ahmed, “Employment Growth Shrinks by Half,” The Daily Star, February 22, 2008.
77 Bangladesh’s fiscal year ends June 30. “Bangladesh: Country Report,” The Economist
Intelligence Unit, May 2008.

building a pipeline around the north of Bangladesh to access gas in neighboring
Burma.78 It is estimated that Burma made $2.7 billion from gas exports in 2007.79
Religious Freedom and Human Rights
Religious Freedom
Approximately 88% of Bangladesh’s population is Muslim. Approximately 10%
of the population is Hindu, while the remainder is Christian and Buddhist. Ethnic and
religious minority groups overlap in areas such as the Chittagong Hill Tracts area
where most Buddhists and non-Bengali people are found. While there is relative
peace between religious groups at present, Bangladesh’s struggle for independence
in 1971 led to much inter-communal strife and death with some estimates listing the
number killed at over a million. A further eight to ten million refugees fled into West
Bengal, India.80
Though the state religion of Bangladesh is Islam, the nation’s Constitution
provides for the right to practice the religion of one’s choosing. According to the
State Department’s International Religious Freedom Report 2007, while the
government publically has supported freedom of religion “... attacks on religious and
ethnic minorities continued to be a problem ... Religion exerted a significant
influence on politics, and the government was sensitive to the Islamic consciousness
of its political allies and the majority of its citizens.” The report went on to add that
public officials and the police were “sometimes slow to assist religious minority
victims of harassment and violence ... Hindu, Christian, and Buddhist minorities
experienced discrimination and sometimes violence by the Muslim majority.” There
were also continuing calls for the Ahmadi sect to be declared non-Muslim.81
Human Rights
The ongoing state of emergency and postponement of elections are widely
viewed as undermining political rights in Bangladesh. Many rights, such as the
freedom of expression, freedom of the press, freedom of association, and the right to
bail, were suspended. The State Department concluded that, “the anti-corruption
drive initiated by the government, while greeted with popular support, gave rise to
concerns about due process.” It also observed that “there was a significant drop in the
number of extrajudicial killings by security forces,” though members of the security


78 “Bangladesh: Natural Gas,” Energy Information Administration: Official Energy Statistics
from the U.S. Government, [http://www.eia.doe.gov/cabs/Bangladesh/naturalGas.html].
79 “Myanmar’s Generals Amass Fortunes While Country Flounders,” Agence France-Presse,
May 11, 2008.
80 James Heitzman and Robert Worden, Bangladesh: A Country Study, (Washington: U.S.
Government Printing Office, 1988), p. 30.
81 “Bangladesh,” International Religious Freedom Report 2007, Bureau of Democracy,
Human Rights and Labor, Released September 14, 2007. Unlike other Muslims, Ahmadis
believe that their leader was also a prophet and hence that Mohammad was not the last
Prophet.

forces continued to act “with impunity and committed acts of physical and
psychological torture.”82
Figure 1. Map of Bangladesh


82 “Bangladesh,” Country Reports on Human Rights Practices 2007, Bureau of Democracy,
Human Rights, and Labor, Released March 11, 2008.