This piece was reprinted by OpEd News with permission or license. It may not be reproduced in any form without permission or license from the source.
Last August, Amnesty International (AI) issued an action alert, saying labor rights activists risked torture, ill-treatment, or death following street protests for worker rights. In June, AI said security forces used excessive force raiding Mirza Abbas' home, a former Dkaha mayor and Bangladesh National Party (BNP) figure.
The BNP and ruling Awami League vie for power, each harsh on the other when in charge, letting security forces raid opposition rallies, beat demonstrators, arrest members, prosecute and imprison them unfairly, using torture and other forms of abuse freely, as well as against anyone challenging government authority for their rights.
Tashnuba and 160 million other Bangladeshis endure this, unsafe like in America and elsewhere. Few safe havens exist anywhere for them, especially where US Pentagon forces show up. Iraqis, Afghans, and many others bear testimony to their harshness, giving them no place to hide.
In a November 2 email, Tashnuba said she's "able to cope," but her sister (age 16) and brother (age 5) are finding it hard to adjust. "They are American citizens and do not want to be here." Her mother went back to New York three years ago with her siblings, but was sent back in July on immigration issues. At the time, her brother and sister also had to return.
"As for my father and other brother (age 20), they are still in New York. Dad was taken by immigration (authorities) in March along with my mom and brother." In January 2011, an immigration court will decide whether or not to issue them a green card. She calls the situation "a bit haywire. The unfortunate thing is my parents still want to be living in the states, and I would say (remain) in a state of denial of having to leave" if it comes to that.
Besides her own ordeal, her family's status remains uncertain, made no easier by separation or what lies ahead. One thing, however is clear. America is no safe haven. Anyone for any reason may be persecuted, and in Tashnuba's case deported to a country she called "a different planet." That fate or worse awaits others targeted for political advantage. Why else would America have the world's largest prison system, a gulag by any standard, yet how many people know it.
Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. Also visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com and listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network Thursdays at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs are archived for easy listening.
http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/the-progressive-news-hour/ .
Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
2
2
1
