Rights group accuses Bangladesh of abuses over curfew

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A U.S.-based rights group accused Bangladesh of human rights abuses and urged authorities to abide by international standards as it enforces a curfew triggered by widespread student unrest.

"The demonstrations currently taking place in Bangladesh come after eight months of repressive emergency rule, which has restricted the rights to protest and to seek a legal remedy, and fails to respect basic due process rights," Human Rights Watch said in a statement on Saturday.

The interim administration took over in January with a promise to hold free and fair elections late next year. It imposed emergency measures to restore order after widespread violence led to the scrapping of elections in January.

A nationwide state of emergency has been in place ever since, allowing the administration curb political activity and launch an anti-graft campaign that has netted scores of senior figures.

"What sparked these protests is the ongoing repression of emergency rule, and the government's heavy-handed response is like oil on a fire," said Sophie Richardson, Asia advocacy director at Human Rights Watch.

"While the protesters should remain peaceful and must exercise restraint to prevent loss to life and property, the government should immediately address some of their legitimate concerns instead of arbitrarily arresting people, beating detainees and fueling anger," she added in the statement.

The interim government dismissed the group's comments.

"We are doing everything constitutionally and legally. There is no question of human rights violations," the government's law and information adviser, Mainul Husein, told Reuters.

"Those who were alleged for violation of law have been produced before the court within 24 hours for legal decision. Let the HRW pin point where we are violating (human rights). If they can, we will rectify ourselves."