Bangladesh
The security situation in Bangladesh is currently unstable as both environmental concerns and political tensions with neighbouring India continue to grow.[1] As of 2022, reports state that human rights violations persist in the country.[2] Due to this instability, Bangladesh has high levels of weapons and ammunition trafficking.[3] Since 2017, there were also significant risks linked to landmines at the border with Myanmar.[4]
Nonviolence International is on the ground to help with the through-life management of ammunition in collaboration with the Bangladeshi Ministry of Defence. Efforts have included contributing to regional and national mechanisms in regulating weapons and ammunition through promoting synergies, encouraging the sharing of national initiatives and regional approaches, and documenting work on successful ammunition regulation, stockpile management, and national implementation work to reduce armed violence in the region.[5]
[1] Mostofa, Shafi Md. “Another Anti-India Wave Sweeps Bangladesh.” The Diplomat, June 17, 2022. https://thediplomat.com/2022/06/another-anti-india-wave-sweeps-bangladesh/. “Bangladesh Flash Flood 2022.” Shelter Cluster. Accessed September 5, 2022. https://sheltercluster.org/response/bangladesh-flash-flood-2022.
[2] “World Report 2022: Bangladesh Events of 2021.” Human Rights Watch. Accessed September 5, 2022. https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2022/country-chapters/bangladesh.
[3] Gutberlet, Sarah. “Arms Trafficking through Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh.” Stable Seas, January 15, 2020. https://www.stableseas.org/post/arms-trafficking-through-cox-s-bazar-bangladesh.
[4] “Bangladesh.” Landmine & Cluster Munition Monitor. Accessed September 5, 2022. http://www.the-monitor.org/en-gb/reports/2019/bangladesh/mine-ban-policy.aspx. “Myanmar Army Landmines along Border with Bangladesh Pose Deadly Threat to Fleeing Rohingya.” Amnesty International, September 9, 2017. https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/press-release/2017/09/myanmar-army-landmines-along-border-with-bangladesh-pose-deadly-threat-to-fleeing-rohingya/.
[5] See A-MAP Database.
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Further information
Cases of diversion
Various cases of diversion have been reported since 2000 in Bangladesh (Table 2).
Table 2: Cases of diversion of arms, ammunition, and explosives in Bangladesh since 2000
Year | Location | Description |
2022 | Chattogram | A pistol was stolen from two members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) at Mirsarai. |
2019 | Shahbagh | A pistol and 16 bullets were stolen from a police officer in Shahbagh. |
2017 | Chittagong | A pistol and 16 bullets were stolen from a police officer in Panchlaish. |
2009 | Ganaktuli | A sub-machine gun, 408-round bullets and other weapons were stolen from government headquarters. |
Source: “Pistol Stolen from Policeman Recovered from Notorious Gang Member after 5 Months.” Dhaka Tribune, July 28, 2017. https://archive.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/nation/2017/07/28/pistol-stolen-policeman-recovered-notorious-gang-member-5-months. Rabbi, Arifur Rahman. “Firearm, Ammunition 'Stolen' from Police Station.” Dhaka Tribune, May 8, 2019. https://archive.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/dhaka/2019/05/08/firearm-ammunition-stolen-from-police-station. Hossain, Emran. “Missing BDR Arms Cause for Concern.” The Daily Star, March 13, 2009. https://www.thedailystar.net/news-detail-79482. “Firearm Looted from RAB Members in CTG Recovered.” The Financial Express, May 29, 2022. https://www.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/national/firearm-looted-from-rab-members-in-ctg-recovered-1653824427.
Disposal
Destruction, use, or export of ammunition as an indicator of a state’s ability to identify and decrease aging, unsafe, or surplus ammunition.
Insufficient information on the disposal of ammunition in Bangladesh.
Needs
Further requirements for an effective through-life management of ammunition in the country.
No needs have been reported for Bangladesh.[1]
[1] PoA Report 2022, Bangladesh. Please note that PoA reports focus on SALW and not specifically on ammunition. https://smallarms.un-arm.org/country-profiles/BGD.
