REPRESENTATIVE CROWLEY MEETS WITH RELIGIOUS

UNCLAS DHAKA 000932

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV KDEM BD
SUBJECT: REPRESENTATIVE CROWLEY MEETS WITH RELIGIOUS
MINORITIES


1. (SBU) On February 21, Representative Joseph Crowley began
his visit to Dhaka by laying a wreath at the monument to the
Bangla Language Movement in commemoration of National
Language Day. Mr. Crowley, accompanied by USAID Mission
Director George and poloff (notetaker),met separately with
leaders of three religious minority groups.


2. (SBU) Mr. Crowley told leaders of the Hindu Christian
Unity Council that it is important in a democracy to protect
minority interests, and that he had traveled to Bangladesh in
part to emphasize the need for religious pluralism. The
leader of the Council, Major General (R) C.R. Dutta,
highlighted the group's concerns about the under
representation of minorities in government jobs in general
and in the top leadership positions in particular. He said
that minorities are emigrating at a higher than average rate
for Bangladeshis, further endangering religious pluralism.
The Christian member of the group discussed problems facing
tribal groups near Dhaka who are engaged in a land dispute
with the family of a high-ranking Bangladeshi official.


3. (SBU) Ahmadiyya leaders Mobasher ur Rahman and Meer
Mobasher Ali gave an overview of their current situation with
regards to the protests and marches against them led by the
International Khatme Nabuwat Movement of Bangladesh (IKNMB).
They acknowledged that the BDG had twice successfully
defended Ahmadiyya sites in the last three months, but asked
Mr. Crowley to lobby on their behalf for additional measures,
including a public statement from the BDG against IKNMB
before it organizes further protests. Crowley said that he
would raise the issue of the Ahmadiyyas in his meetings with
the PM, thank her for the steps the BDG had taken to protect
Ahmadiyya life and property, and urge her to do more. He
said that Bangladesh needs to address systemic problems like
corruption and the rise of extremism, and that he would
encourage the BDG to form a National Human Rights Commission
to address Ahmadiyya and other minority issues.


4. (SBU) The Roman Catholic Primate of Bangladesh,
Archbishop Paulinus Costa, stated that he felt that, in
general, the Bangladeshi Muslim majority respects the rights
of religious minorities but there are pockets of "rascals"
who claim to be Muslims but have no true religious identity
or agenda and are just looking to cause trouble. He said
that when this happens, he finds the government willing to
act to protect minority rights. He also said that many of
the problems facing the Catholic population -- about 450,000
individuals out of a population of 140 million -- are similar
to the difficulties faced by tribal populations in other
parts of the world, including land disputes and the lack of
access to education. Mr. Crowley told the Archbishop that he
would thank the PM for the BDG,s support and encourage her
to do more to uphold religious pluralism.


5. (U) This cable was cleared by Representative Crowley.
CHAMMAS