Bangladesh is the world's third most populous Muslim nation and 2006 saw a growing campaign against religious minorities. The Ahmadiyya community, a revivalist movement within Islam originating in the Punjab in India and rejected by most mainstream Muslim sects, has continued to suffer in 2006. In June, 22 Ahmadi families living in Dhaka were publicly threatened with death by members of the Islamist group International Khatme Nabuwat, an organization dedicated to safeguarding the sanctity of the finality of the Prophet Mohammed. According to Amnesty International, by targeting the Ahmadiyya community Khatme Nabuwat is attempting to force the government to yield to their political demands for the introduction of more stringent Islamic law. They also hope to obtain mass support from poor and disenfranchised sections of society, whom they feel they could influence by appealing to their religious beliefs.

The tribal people of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) have for a long time been the targets of massacres and torture, notably during the years of armed conflict (mid-1970s to 1997). The signing of the peace accord between the government of Bangladesh and tribal representatives in December 1997 appeared to provide assurances that their rights would be respected. However, nine years later, the government has failed to implement fully some of the most crucial provisions of the accord. These include the rehabilitation of all returned refugees and internally displaced families, settlement of land confiscated from the tribal people during the conflict, withdrawal of non-permanent army camps from the CHT and transfer of power within the provisions of the peace accord to the local CHT administration.

The country is due to hold elections in 2007 – but the poll has already been postponed from the original date of 22 January. The run-up to the elections has already been marked by violence. NGOs warned that the rights of minorities to participate without fear and intimidation must be a priority.

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