This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS DHAKA 000932 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PHUM PGOV KDEM BD
SUBJECT: REPRESENTATIVE CROWLEY MEETS WITH RELIGIOUS 
MINORITIES 
 
¶1. (SBU)  On February 21, Representative Joseph Crowley began 
his visit to Dhaka by laying a wreath at the monument to the 
Bangla Language Movement in commemoration of National 
Language Day.  Mr. Crowley, accompanied by USAID Mission 
Director George and poloff (notetaker), met separately with 
leaders of three religious minority groups. 
 
¶2.  (SBU) Mr. Crowley told leaders of the Hindu Christian 
Unity Council that it is important in a democracy to protect 
minority interests, and that he had traveled to Bangladesh in 
part to emphasize the need for religious pluralism.  The 
leader of the Council, Major General (R) C.R. Dutta, 
highlighted the group's concerns about the under 
representation of minorities in government jobs in general 
and in the top leadership positions in particular.  He said 
that minorities are emigrating at a higher than average rate 
for Bangladeshis, further endangering religious pluralism. 
The Christian member of the group discussed problems facing 
tribal groups near Dhaka who are engaged in a land dispute 
with the family of a high-ranking Bangladeshi official. 
 
¶3.  (SBU) Ahmadiyya leaders Mobasher ur Rahman and Meer 
Mobasher Ali gave an overview of their current situation with 
regards to the protests and marches against them led by the 
International Khatme Nabuwat Movement of Bangladesh (IKNMB). 
They acknowledged that the BDG had twice successfully 
defended Ahmadiyya sites in the last three months, but asked 
Mr. Crowley to lobby on their behalf for additional measures, 
including a public statement from the BDG against IKNMB 
before it organizes further protests.  Crowley said that he 
would raise the issue of the Ahmadiyyas in his meetings with 
the PM, thank her for the steps the BDG had taken to protect 
Ahmadiyya life and property, and urge her to do more.  He 
said that Bangladesh needs to address systemic problems like 
corruption and the rise of extremism, and that he would 
encourage the BDG to form a National Human Rights Commission 
to address Ahmadiyya and other minority issues. 
 
¶4.  (SBU) The Roman Catholic Primate of Bangladesh, 
Archbishop Paulinus Costa, stated that he felt that, in 
general, the Bangladeshi Muslim majority respects the rights 
of religious minorities but there are pockets of "rascals" 
who claim to be Muslims but have no true religious identity 
or agenda and are just looking to cause trouble.  He said 
that when this happens, he finds the government willing to 
act to protect minority rights.  He also said that many of 
the problems facing the Catholic population -- about 450,000 
individuals out of a population of 140 million -- are similar 
to the difficulties faced by tribal populations in other 
parts of the world, including land disputes and the lack of 
access to education.  Mr. Crowley told the Archbishop that he 
would thank the PM for the BDG,s support and encourage her 
to do more to uphold religious pluralism. 
 
¶5.  (U) This cable was cleared by Representative Crowley. 
CHAMMAS