DHAKA: The call for an immediate ceasefire has started coming from the West. But not before few casualties on the Israeli side. This call did not come when over four hundred Palestinians including unarmed women and children were massacred. 

The West was calling for a ‘responsible retaliation’ so far. That ‘responsible retaliation (!)’ is now hitting the hospitals in Gaza. 

Even the UN shelter is not being considered as safe. And yet, the West, the whole world even Arab League and OIC standing idle. What a shame, what a disgrace to mankind!

In the midst of everything, the Human Rights Watch (HRW) have issued a statement demanding dismantling of RAB in Bangladesh. As an immediate action, they also called for withdrawing of the army personnel form RAB before it is dismantled. As if nothing else is happening around the world. No doubt, the record of RAB is less than perfect. An overwhelming majority people in Bangladesh do not condone the extra-judicial killings in the pretext of ‘cross fire’. 

In fact, the civil society has been vocal against these irregularities and against some human rights violations for a long time. However, no one but a particular political party and their allies has called for its dismantling. Without RAB, the law and order situation in Bangladesh could have been much worse. There is no shame in admitting the short comings and limitations of RAB. No one can ignore the fact that from time to time there are allegations of corruption and nepotism against them. It is also difficult to deny that they are being used for political purpose from time to time since the inception. 

However, these types of allegations were there against all armed and law enforcement agencies in Bangladesh. But no one called for the dismantling of Bangladesh Police or Army. Instead of calling for an appropriate reform and accountability, Human Rights Watch is demanding its demise. That perfectly fits with the interest of a particular political motive in Bangladesh. 

Without a viable alternative strategy, dismantling of RAB will mean an anarchy in law and order in Bangladesh. It will be easier to discredit the government and to interfere with the trial of the war criminals. 

At least it is the intension of the followers and allies of the war criminals. The HRW intentionally or unintentionally following their scripts. We all remember another spineless organisation Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC)  that cried foul about the imaginary massacre in Shapla chattar without proper investigation and due diligence. They used ‘unconfirmed reports’ and photoshopped Facebook posts for their statements during the anarchy in Shapla chattar. 

And yet, AHRC and HRW are conveniently ignoring the reports of the world media about the ethnic cleansing in Gaza. They have turned a blind eye about one of the worst massacres in living memory.  Expressing concern and realising toothless statements are not enough.

Talking about blind eyes, one wonders where the Arab League and OIC are. While this genocide is going on in their back yard what role are they playing? Should the charity not begin at home? One may question about the legitimacy of Egyptian government, but they are the only one who took some steps towards a ceasefire although it had failed. 

But what about the  legitimate (!) darlings of the West, the Saudis and the other Gulf States? There are pin drop silence from the seemingly brethren nations. It is a shame! 

While the Arab nations and Islamic world has been keeping quiet, can Bangladesh do something about it? Our people have already been expressing their anger through forming human chains, street demonstrations and so on. But, what the government can do? I am sure we can punch above our weight at times. Now is the time of need. 

Our government can at least call for an emergency meeting of the OIC. Even if it is not called, at least we would have tried. We can call for a rescue route to be established to transport the wounded to the nearest Egyptian territory. 

We can send medical supplies to Gaza. Can’t we? After all, we are a pharmaceuticals exporting country. But what some of our leaders are doing? Some of them are trying to find a connection between the Gaza atrocities and their political opponents. Such a shameful trivialisation of the situation! On the face of a human disaster some of us are trying to score cheap political points. As if our people are deaf and dumb not to understand this childish behaviour.

There has been a call by ninety nine prominent personalities including six Nobel laureates for an arms embargo on Israel to achieve cessation of hostilities in Gaza. However, among the signatories we do not find the name of our only Nobel laureate. And yet, he is supposed to be an ambassador of peace. 

It appears that there are two types of Nobel laureates, the Desmond Tutu type and the Professor Yunus type. Nobel peace prize can make some people spineless after all.

What the ordinary people of Bangladesh can do? Let us come to the street to pressurise the government to call for an emergency meeting of the OIC to take some strong resolutions and also to send medical supplies to Gaza. This is the least we can do. Let's show some spines.

BDST: 1218 HRS, JUL 22, 2014