CFIC Condemns Ongoing Faith-Based Murders in Bangladesh

On October 31, 2015 Centre For Inquiry Canada learned of further attacks in a series of brutal violence targeting secularists, atheists and even westerners in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Faisal Abedin Deepan, from Jagriti Prokashoni publishing house was brutally killed. Faisal Abedin Deepan was a publisher for Avijit Roy, the secularist author who was murdered in Dhaka on February 26, 2015.

Ahmedur Rashid Tutul and two other writers from Shudhdhoswar publishing house were shot and stabbed by three attackers.

Eric Adriaans, National Executive Director of CFI Canada said, “We have learned from our Bangladeshi friends that one of the individuals who was attacked today is the spouse of a Canadian citizen. We implore the Canadian government to offer compassionate support to this family and indeed to all of the people targeted by religious extremists for violent execution. I will paraphrase a question I heard from one of our Bangladeshi contacts today….. is it really so difficult for a country to offer asylum to these 40 or 50 people?”

CFI Canada’s Board of Directors. leadership volunteers and members join Humanist Canada, Atheist Alliance International, International Humanist and Ethical Union, Amnesty International, CFI (US) and a growing list of outraged organizations in condemnation of faith-based violence of any kind.

In Bangladesh, the targeting of atheists, secularists and intellectuals continues to escalate as Ansarullah Bangla Team (a political Islam organization) adds targeting of westerners, the media and women to their campaigns. Adriaans said, “The scope of religious fanaticism started with the strategic scape-goating of atheists and intellectuals and is now growing to other vulnerable groups and minorities in that country. The world has seen this type of violent targeting before and we know that fanatics of this nature must be stopped.”

CFIC also offers its deepest condolences and sympathies to the family, friends and colleagues of the people who have been viciously murdered, attacked, persecuted and harassed in their own homes, businesses and the streets of their communities. Kevin Smith, CFIC’s Board Chair said, “We call on all Canadians, including Canada’s religious leaders, to reject faith-based bigotry and to join CFIC in our call for compassion and relief for these terrorized victims.”

Further Inquiry

additional information will be added as it is available.