BANGLADESH: ENSURE THE IMMEDIATE RELEASE AND PROPER TREATMENT OF GENERAL SECRETARY OF BANGLADESH AWAMI LEAGUE BANGLADESH INSTITUTE OF
HUAMAN RIGHTS URGENT APPEAL PROGRAMME URGENT APPEAL CASE: (Update) BIHR UA-2007-05-31 DATE: May 31, 2007 ISSUE: Arbitrary arrest and detention; abuse of preventive detention under the state of emergency ==================================
URGENT APPEAL BANGLADESH: Ensure the immediate release and proper treatment of the General Secretary of Bangladesh Awami League. ==================================
Dear Friends, Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights (BIHR) has received updated information of alleged arbitrary arrest and detention under the Special Power Act (SPA), 1974 from Bangladesh. We were informed that Mr. Abdul Jalil, General Secretary of the Bangladesh Awami League party as well as the Former Minister of Trade Affairs, was arbitrarily arrested on 28 May 2007. The victim is currently being detained in preventive detention under section 3(1) of SPA. The BIHR is deeply concerned that political activist is being subjected to arbitrary arrest and detention by the caretaker government after the state of emergency was declared in January 2007.
Please visit the following link to read previous appeal: http://bihr-bihr.blogspot.com/2009/06/urgent-appealensure-immediate-release.html
BIOGRAPHY: Name of the Victim : Mr.Abdul Jalil, Organizer of Independent War and Former Trade Minister of Bangladesh Address : House #17; Road # 55; Gulshan-2, Dhaka Political Position General Secretary, Bangladesh Awami League Date of Arrest : 28 May 2007 Time of Arrest : Around 3:45pm Place from Arrest : Head Office, Mercantile Bank LTD, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka.
FACT DETAILS: The army-led joint forces in a sudden move took Awami League (AL) General Secretary Abdul Jalil, into custody on 28 May.2007. It could not be ascertained immediately where the Awami League General Secretary was taken and on what charges he had been taken into the custody of joint forces. Jalil was picked up from his Mercantile Bank office in Motijheel around 3:45pm while he was presiding over an internal meeting of the bank. Thereafter Abdul Jalil was remanded in custody on 29 May ’07, night by a Dhaka court for interrogation about alleged corruption. He was remanded for four days at a crowded court showing arrested under section 16(2) of the Emergency Power Rules. Motijheel police produced AL General Secretary Abdul Jalil before the court of Metropolitan Magistrate Shafique Anwar at 8:15pm with a prayer for seven-day remand on 29 May ‘07. Investigation officer (IO) of the case and Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Motijheel Police Station Nasirul Alam mentioned in the forwarding report that Jalil accumulated a huge amount of wealth and money through corruption being the party general secretary. He had also been delivering provocative statements over the last few days to destabilize the country's political situation. So, he needs to be interrogated in remand. The defence lawyers argued for cancellation of the remand prayer. After hearing both the sides, the court granted a four-day remand for Jalil. STATEMENT OF SHEIKH HASINA: Awami League (AL) chief Sheikh Hasina accused the government of trying to suppress "people's wishes" and diverting focus away from the government's failure to rein in rising prices of essentials by making arrests and creating a "suffocating" environment of "fear". She demanded immediate elections as she felt that "the time limit for the state of emergency has expired". She made the comments while speaking to the press after her visit to the Mujibunnessa Eye Hospital for check-up. Hasina said, "People who are truly corrupt need to be arrested. Why are they not being arrested? They are freely roaming around...arrest them, not the politicians who have spent days in the streets fighting for the people."
"The time for an emergency has ended. We want democracy; we want people's right to vote because it is the people who have the power. They can never suppress people's wishes, but it seems like that is what they want to do," Hasina said. "They have not been able to bring down the prices of essentials. Nothing is being done about that. Instead, arrests, tortures... as if they are trying to distract people by creating a state of fear," she said, adding, "This game will not last long." "It is not even clear what they want to do. The country cannot continue under this suffocating environment," the AL chief said. She said, "Those of us who have struggled in the streets in rain and storms and endured police beatings; it seems those are the people who are suffering the greatest repression." STATEMENT OF UK & USA EMBASSEY: On 29 May ‘07, US embassy spokesman in Dhaka said those who are arrested should be informed about the charges for which they have been arrested and allowed to defend themselves. Asked about US reaction to the arrest of senior Awami League and BNP leaders, the spokesman would not comment on the specifics of any case, but said "the right to due process is a basic democratic norm". Stressing the need for informing the arrested people of the charges, he said, "There has been press speculation that Awami League General Secretary Abdul Jalil has been arrested in response to his call for lifting the ban on political activity--a call that we in the US embassy have also been making." However, the spokesman said: "I would hope that this speculation is groundless and that he (Jalil) has not been arrested for calling for basic democratic rights." Commenting on the arrest of politicians, a spokeswoman for the British high commission said, "Essentially it is an internal matter. We hope the government will follow due process." ADITINAL COMMENTS: People deserve to know reasons behind detention of Jalil. Let us make our position clear at the outset. We have been supportive of the political reform measures undertaken by the caretaker government. By the same token, we have provided our full backing to the anti-corruption crusade the administration has launched. It remains our expectation that the reforms process and the drive against corruption will be seen through to their logical conclusion. However, we are at a loss to understand why the latest wave of arrests of political leaders, especially of Awami League General Secretary Abdul Jalil, was undertaken and in such an inexplicable manner. So far, as we understand, the authorities have not explained the causes why Jalil was taken into custody. Which compels us to bring up an essential point: whenever a political leader of repute such as Jalil is arrested, it is only proper that the public be taken into confidence by the authorities. That confidence comes from giving citizens convincing arguments as to why such arrests are being made. Jalil is a veteran politician who in recent times has played a leading role not only in his own party but also in the fourteen-party alliance. His arrest, and the manner of it, will raise questions that the authorities are now expected to answer. What is to be noted is the statement by ACC Chairman Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury that Jalil's name was not on the list of people accused of corruption. There must be some other reasons that might have prompted the AL leader's arrest. What those reasons are need to be clarified by the government. At this critical juncture in the nation's history, when the administration and the country are moving towards general elections through putting in place the necessary political and electoral reforms, any ill-conceived move on the part of the authorities can jeopardise the prospects for such changes to be brought about any time soon. Arresting politician once they become vocal, as Jalil have been, quite mars the credibility of the arresting process.
The priorities today are clear. And they relate mainly to political party reforms, preparation of a voter list and eventual holding of general elections. All of these are matters over which it will be necessary for the government as well as the Election Commission to interact with the major stakeholders here, in this case the political parties. Quite legitimately, therefore, the authorities can be reminded that when their avowed goal remains a promotion and implementation of political reforms, it does not make sense for them to alienate and antagonize the political parties. It is important that the expectations placed on the caretaker government are not swept aside by moves that might leave politics in a state of disarray, to our collective discomfiture. SUGESTED ACTION: Please write to the relevant local authorities and express your deep concern about this case. Please urge the immediate release of the two victims. Please also urge the caretaker government to immediately remove the state of emergency and release the detainees arbitrary arrested during the period of the state of the emergency. PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTER TO:
1. Prof. Iajuddin Ahmed
President
People's Republic of Bangladesh
Bangabhaban, Dhaka
BANGLADESH
Tel: +880 2 9568041, 7161501/A, 8311202/ 7161503
Fax: +880 2 9566242 or 9566593 2. Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed
Chief Adviser
Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh
Office of the Chief Advisor
Tejgaon, Dhaka
BANGLADESH
Tel: +880 2 8828160-79, 9888677
Fax: +880 2 8113244 or 3243 or 1015 or 1490 3. Mr. Sayed J. R. Modassir Hossain
Chief Justice
The Supreme Court of Bangladesh
Supreme Court Building
Ramna, Dhaka-1000
BANGLADESH
Tel: +880 2 9562792
Fax: +880 2 9565058 4. Mr. Fida M Kamal
Attorney General of Bangladesh
Office of the Attorney General
Supreme Court Building
Ramna, Dhaka-1000
BANGLADESH
Tel: +880 2 9562868
Fax: +880 2 9561568 5. Barrister Moinul Hossain
Adviser
Ministry of Law, Justice & Parliamentary Affairs
Bangladesh Secretariat
Dhaka-1000
BANGLADESH
Tel: +88-02-7160627 (O)
Fax: +88-02-7168557 (O) 6. Mr. Nur Mohammad
Inspector General of Police (IGP)
Bangladesh Police
Police Headquarters'
Fulbaria, Dhaka-1000
BANGLADESH
Tel: +880 2 9562054 or 7176451 or 7176677
Fax: +880 2 9563362 or 9563363
Thank you. Shahanur Islam Advocate Urgent Appeals Programme
Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights (BIHR) 27, Bijoy Nagar, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh E-mail:saikotbihr@gmail.com; bihr@bangla.net www.bihr-bihr.blogspot.com, www.brct.org
"The time for an emergency has ended. We want democracy; we want people's right to vote because it is the people who have the power. They can never suppress people's wishes, but it seems like that is what they want to do," Hasina said. "They have not been able to bring down the prices of essentials. Nothing is being done about that. Instead, arrests, tortures... as if they are trying to distract people by creating a state of fear," she said, adding, "This game will not last long." "It is not even clear what they want to do. The country cannot continue under this suffocating environment," the AL chief said. She said, "Those of us who have struggled in the streets in rain and storms and endured police beatings; it seems those are the people who are suffering the greatest repression." STATEMENT OF UK & USA EMBASSEY: On 29 May ‘07, US embassy spokesman in Dhaka said those who are arrested should be informed about the charges for which they have been arrested and allowed to defend themselves. Asked about US reaction to the arrest of senior Awami League and BNP leaders, the spokesman would not comment on the specifics of any case, but said "the right to due process is a basic democratic norm". Stressing the need for informing the arrested people of the charges, he said, "There has been press speculation that Awami League General Secretary Abdul Jalil has been arrested in response to his call for lifting the ban on political activity--a call that we in the US embassy have also been making." However, the spokesman said: "I would hope that this speculation is groundless and that he (Jalil) has not been arrested for calling for basic democratic rights." Commenting on the arrest of politicians, a spokeswoman for the British high commission said, "Essentially it is an internal matter. We hope the government will follow due process." ADITINAL COMMENTS: People deserve to know reasons behind detention of Jalil. Let us make our position clear at the outset. We have been supportive of the political reform measures undertaken by the caretaker government. By the same token, we have provided our full backing to the anti-corruption crusade the administration has launched. It remains our expectation that the reforms process and the drive against corruption will be seen through to their logical conclusion. However, we are at a loss to understand why the latest wave of arrests of political leaders, especially of Awami League General Secretary Abdul Jalil, was undertaken and in such an inexplicable manner. So far, as we understand, the authorities have not explained the causes why Jalil was taken into custody. Which compels us to bring up an essential point: whenever a political leader of repute such as Jalil is arrested, it is only proper that the public be taken into confidence by the authorities. That confidence comes from giving citizens convincing arguments as to why such arrests are being made. Jalil is a veteran politician who in recent times has played a leading role not only in his own party but also in the fourteen-party alliance. His arrest, and the manner of it, will raise questions that the authorities are now expected to answer. What is to be noted is the statement by ACC Chairman Hasan Mashhud Chowdhury that Jalil's name was not on the list of people accused of corruption. There must be some other reasons that might have prompted the AL leader's arrest. What those reasons are need to be clarified by the government. At this critical juncture in the nation's history, when the administration and the country are moving towards general elections through putting in place the necessary political and electoral reforms, any ill-conceived move on the part of the authorities can jeopardise the prospects for such changes to be brought about any time soon. Arresting politician once they become vocal, as Jalil have been, quite mars the credibility of the arresting process.
The priorities today are clear. And they relate mainly to political party reforms, preparation of a voter list and eventual holding of general elections. All of these are matters over which it will be necessary for the government as well as the Election Commission to interact with the major stakeholders here, in this case the political parties. Quite legitimately, therefore, the authorities can be reminded that when their avowed goal remains a promotion and implementation of political reforms, it does not make sense for them to alienate and antagonize the political parties. It is important that the expectations placed on the caretaker government are not swept aside by moves that might leave politics in a state of disarray, to our collective discomfiture. SUGESTED ACTION: Please write to the relevant local authorities and express your deep concern about this case. Please urge the immediate release of the two victims. Please also urge the caretaker government to immediately remove the state of emergency and release the detainees arbitrary arrested during the period of the state of the emergency. PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTER TO:
1. Prof. Iajuddin Ahmed
President
People's Republic of Bangladesh
Bangabhaban, Dhaka
BANGLADESH
Tel: +880 2 9568041, 7161501/A, 8311202/ 7161503
Fax: +880 2 9566242 or 9566593 2. Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed
Chief Adviser
Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh
Office of the Chief Advisor
Tejgaon, Dhaka
BANGLADESH
Tel: +880 2 8828160-79, 9888677
Fax: +880 2 8113244 or 3243 or 1015 or 1490 3. Mr. Sayed J. R. Modassir Hossain
Chief Justice
The Supreme Court of Bangladesh
Supreme Court Building
Ramna, Dhaka-1000
BANGLADESH
Tel: +880 2 9562792
Fax: +880 2 9565058 4. Mr. Fida M Kamal
Attorney General of Bangladesh
Office of the Attorney General
Supreme Court Building
Ramna, Dhaka-1000
BANGLADESH
Tel: +880 2 9562868
Fax: +880 2 9561568 5. Barrister Moinul Hossain
Adviser
Ministry of Law, Justice & Parliamentary Affairs
Bangladesh Secretariat
Dhaka-1000
BANGLADESH
Tel: +88-02-7160627 (O)
Fax: +88-02-7168557 (O) 6. Mr. Nur Mohammad
Inspector General of Police (IGP)
Bangladesh Police
Police Headquarters'
Fulbaria, Dhaka-1000
BANGLADESH
Tel: +880 2 9562054 or 7176451 or 7176677
Fax: +880 2 9563362 or 9563363
Thank you. Shahanur Islam Advocate Urgent Appeals Programme
Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights (BIHR) 27, Bijoy Nagar, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh E-mail:saikotbihr@gmail.com; bihr@bangla.net www.bihr-bihr.blogspot.com, www.brct.org
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