US embassy cable - 05DHAKA1907

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AMBASSADOR VISITS AHMADIYA HEADQUARTERS

Identifier: 05DHAKA1907
Wikileaks: View 05DHAKA1907 at Wikileaks.org
Origin: Embassy Dhaka
Created: 2005-04-24 10:41:00
Classification: CONFIDENTIAL
Tags: PGOV KISL PHUM BG
Redacted: This cable was not redacted by Wikileaks.
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

C O N F I D E N T I A L DHAKA 001907 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/24/2010 
TAGS: PGOV, KISL, PHUM, BG 
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR VISITS AHMADIYA HEADQUARTERS 
 
REF: A. DHAKA 01853 
 
     B. 01802 
 
 1. (C) SUMMARY: Ambassador demonstrated support for Ahmadiya 
demands for freedom of religion and protection under the law 
after BDG allegedly permitted attacks against them. 
 
2. (U) Following a surge of violence against Ahmadiyas 
(REFTEL) in Bangladesh, Ambassador on April 22 met with 
Ahmadiya leaders at their Dhaka headquarters to demonstrate 
USG support regarding the attacks. 
 
3. (C) The leaders alleged that recent attacks have been 
tacitly sanctioned by a BDG less concerned with individual 
rights than with appeasing the religious majority. While they 
conceded that BDG had protected their community, BDG has 
begun to succumb to demands of extremist religious leaders. 
BDG leaders state publicly their committment to protect 
Ahmadiyas but allegedly call local police immediately prior 
to demonstrations, instructing police to allow banned 
demonstrations to go forward. 
 
4. (C) Ahmadiyas demand equal protection under the law and 
freedom of religion, as guaranteed by the Bangladeshi 
constitution. They want BDG to remove provocative signboards 
posted on their mosques that were erected by police in Khulna 
and Bogra. They demand that those responsible for recent 
attacks be brought to justice. 
 
5. (C) Ambassador undertook to relay their grievances to 
Washington. 
 
6. (C) COMMENT: On April 22 media reported that the district 
administration of Satkhira denies any attacks on Ahmadiyas in 
that area. This denial may result from public and media 
pressure to stem the tide of anti-Ahmadiya violence. 
CHAMMAS 

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