Bangladesh Minorities Participate at UN Forum
Geneva, December 2024 – The 17th session of the United Nations Forum on Minority Issues concluded in Geneva last week, with a powerful plea to the international community to confront the harrowing crisis facing minority communities in Bangladesh.
"A Cry for Justice": Bangladesh Minorities Alliance Demand Immediate Action at UN Forum to Stop Targeted Persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh
Geneva, December 2024 – The 17th session of the United Nations Forum on Minority Issues concluded in Geneva last week, with a powerful plea to the international community to confront the harrowing crisis facing minority communities in Bangladesh.
The forum, chaired by Anastasia Crickley and co-chaired by UN_HRC President Omar Zniber, UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk, and Special Rapporteur Prof. Nicolas Levrat, spotlighted the atrocities being committed against Bangladesh’s religious minorities, especially Hindus and Buddhists. The voices of the oppressed echoed through the halls of the UN as organizations, activists, and human rights defenders urgently called for justice.
The Humanitarian Catastrophe in Bangladesh
Bangladesh has become a battlefield for minority rights, where homes are burning, temples are desecrated, and communities are shattered. Over 28 million Hindus live under the shadow of fear, their very existence threatened by an unrelenting wave of ethnic cleansing. Reports presented at the forum revealed a chilling reality: between August 5 and August 20, 2024, more than 10,000 attacks on minorities were recorded, as documented by Prothom Alo.
Victims’ stories lay bare the horror—women abducted, gang-raped and forcibly converted, community leaders assassinated, and entire families displaced. “The persecution of Hindus and Buddhists is not merely an issue of apathy in governance; it is a stain on the conscience of humanity and its lukewarm efforts,” said Richa Gautam of CaresGlobal.
Dipan Mitra, speaking on behalf of CaresGlobal and the World Hindu Federation (WHF) European Chapter, delivered an emotional appeal:
“This is not just about statistics. This is about lives destroyed, dreams crushed, and futures stolen. The suffering of Bangladesh’s Hindus cannot be ignored. These are mothers, fathers, children—people whose voices have been silenced. It is our moral duty to stand with them and ensure justice. The world must act now, before it’s too late.”
Global Advocacy for Change
CaresGlobal and WHF have been at the forefront of advocacy efforts since 2021, raising awareness at the UN, the European Parliament, and global forums like the Freedom of Religion Board (APP - FORB). Their ongoing collaboration includes documenting atrocities, presenting evidence to world leaders, and amplifying the voices of persecuted minorities.
CaresGlobal, released the following statement:
“Today, we stand united across the globe for the Hindus of Bangladesh, who have been silenced by oppression. Their only crime is that they are Hindus in a country gripped by radical fanaticism. The human chain and rally near the iconic broken chair is a voice of hope, a cry for justice, and a demand for action. The world must wake up to this genocide and take immediate action.”
During the forum, Mitra and his team participated in critical events such as:
Discussion on the Ethnic Cleansing of Minorities and Indigenous Communities in Bangladesh, organized by the Bangladesh Minority Alliance.
Empowering Minority Voices, hosted by UNHCR, where Mitra gave voice to the plight of Bangladesh’s Hindus.
The organization’s engagement with Special Rapporteur Prof. Nicolas Levrat emphasized the urgency of an UN-led fact-finding mission to investigate the ground atrocities.
Solidarity in Action: The Geneva Protest
On November 28, 2024, a powerful human chain and protest rally gathered at Geneva’s iconic Broken Chair monument. Protestors from around the world joined hands to demand accountability and intervention. Cries for justice filled the air, and the rally became a symbol of global solidarity with Bangladesh’s persecuted minorities.
The rally also shed light on the plight of Chinmoy Krishna Das Prabhu, a Hindu leader facing severe persecution. Protestors demanded his unconditional release, fearing for his safety amidst the growing violence.
A Call for Humanity to Act
As the session concluded, the message was clear: the crisis in Bangladesh is a human rights emergency that cannot be ignored. CaresGlobal and WHF urge governments, international leaders, and human rights organizations to act decisively and ensure the safety and dignity of Bangladesh’s minorities.
Mitra’s closing words resonated with all:
“If we fail to protect the Hindus of Bangladesh today, we fail humanity itself. This is not just about one country; it is about the future of human rights everywhere. Let us rise to the challenge and stop this blatant crime staring at us every day.”
For further information, contact:
CaresGlobal
Dipan Mitra & Richa Gautam
www.cares-global.org, sarascareusa@gmail.com
WHF Bangladesh Chapter
Rishipara Shiv Mandir, Zigatola, Dhaka 1209, Bangladesh
WHF European Union Chapter
Rue du Buisson Saint Louis, 75010 Paris, France