ICC Note: Last week Christians in Dhaka, Bangladesh marched in protest following an attack on one of the country’s oldest churches. The protestors expressed frustration with the government’s inability or unwillingness to protect Christians and their places of worship. Christians are seen as soft targets by criminal groups in Bangladesh because of their low status as a religious minority.  

02/17/2018 Bangladesh (World Watch Monitor) – More than 200 Catholics have marched in the Bangladesh capital, Dhaka, in protest over last week’s attack on one of the country’s oldest churches, reports Asia News.

Attackers broke into Canterbury St. Augustine church, also in Dhaka, early on 8 February, tied up and beat the parish priest and stole money from the building.

During the march on 12 February, protesters expressed frustration with the local authorities.

“It’s been five days [since the attack], and the police have not arrested anyone. I think they are neglecting to catch the thieves,” said Hamanto Corraya, general secretary of the Bangladesh Christian Association.

Corraya added that if the police fail to catch the culprits within 15 days, he will organize another protest in Dhaka, in front of the National Press Club.

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