Bangladesh: Intimidation and incitement to commit violence cannot be allowed to stand [editorial in Dhaka Tribune after killing of Prof Shafiul Islam]

Dhaka Tribune, 20 November 2014

Punish incitement to murder
Tribune Editorial
Intimidation and incitement to commit violence cannot be allowed to stand

Professor Dr AKM Shafiul Islam, the Rajshahi University professor who was brutally murdered last Saturday, had long voiced concerns that supporters of Islami Chhatra Shibir men might assault or otherwise harm him.

Law enforcers must take all violent threats and acts of incitement seriously. Even one case in which a threat is followed up by an act of violence is too many to tolerate.

With many groups going around putting bounties on people’s heads, it is important to set an example against those who incite violence.

The recent placing in remand of Mozaffor Bin Mohosin for being the prime instigator behind the murder of the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat television preacher, Shaikh Nurul Islam Faruqi, in August, is a case in point.

The accused, a preacher from a different religious grouping, denies involvement in the killing carried out by a group of multiple, unknown assailants, but is well known for having regularly preached and disseminated sermons demanding “violent punishment” for Faruqi.

It is important to investigate the significant amount of evidence available indicating the accused regularly incited violence against the victim. It is one thing for a preacher to speak generally of divine punishment but to exhort followers to commit violence against a specific individual crosses a line.

Section 504 of the Penal Code on intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach of the peace and Section 505’s prohibition against statements which may induce someone to commit an offence are both pertinent to consider.

The harm done to society by repeated threats and encouragement imploring others to commit violence is obvious. This kind of intimidation and incitement to commit violence cannot be allowed to stand. We are glad that the courts are finally taking notice.

See more at: http://www.dhakatribune.com/editorial/2014/nov/20/punish-incitement-murder