The US Commission on International Religious Freedom has expressed deep concerns about the worsening religious freedom conditions in South Asian countries, including Bangladesh.
US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) came up with the observation in its annual report released on April 25.
It said the USCIRF has long noted deteriorating religious freedom across South Asia, and that trend persisted in 2021.
In addition to its recommendations to designate Afghanistan, India, and Pakistan as CPSs , USCIRF is deeply concerned about worsening religious freedom conditions in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal and the Maldives.
Regarding Bangladesh, the report said: "Bangladesh, communal violence erupted in October during Durga Puja festivities. The weeklong wave of violence led to widespread attacks on the Hindu community and its places of worship despite government efforts to contain violence."
"Bangladesh government continued to leave refugees, predominantly Rohingya Muslims, in untenable conditions, closing schools and moving some of them to the remote island of Bhashan Char," it added.
However, Bangladesh government says that the relocation of Rohingyas to Bhashan Char is meant to ease the congestion in Cox's Bazar camps, address some of the security concerns and criminal activities. The Bhashan Char facility is also much better and secured.
