URGENT APPEAL:Urge to Investigate Cases of Intimidations to Human Rights Defendersin Bangladesh

Mr. Nur Mohammad Inspector General of Police Bangladesh Police Police Headquarters' Fulbaria, Dhaka-1000 BANGLADESH 3 March 2009 Dear Mr. Nur Mohammad,

Urge to Investigate Cases of Intimidations to Human Rights Defenders 

 The Asian Center for the Progress of Peoples (ACPP), a regional human rights organization based in Hong Kong, is informed by an organization in Bangladesh that Adv. Shahanur Islam Saikot received death threats on 28 February 2009 and 1 March 2009. We are writing to express our concern over this case and urge the police to conduct full and effective investigation. The victim of intimidation, Adv. Shahanur, is the Program Maanger of Legal and Human Rights Affairs at Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights (BIHR). He is also affiliated with Bangladesh Centre for Human Rights and Development, Bangladesh Rehabilitation Centre for Trauma Victims, and Member of Bangladesh Bar Council and Dhaka Bar Association.

URGENT APPEAL:A man tortured to death; relatives threatened to withdraw the case in Bangladesh

ASIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION URGENT APPEALS PROGRAMME 

 Urgent Appeal Case: AHRC-UAC-145-2008 3 July 2008

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BANGLADESH: A man tortured to death; relatives threatened to withdraw the case ISSUES: Torture; threats; torture victim 

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  Dear friends, 

 The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information from the Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights (BIHR) that a man was dead on the way to a hospital after being beaten by police at Chakaria Police Station on 14 May 2008. A relative filed a case against those responsible but now his family members received threats to withdraw the case. 

URGENT APPEAL: Student political leader held in detention for 19 months without trial or specific charge

ASIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION – URGENT APPEALS PROGRAMME

Urgent Appeal Case: AHRC-UAC-178-2008

8 August 2008

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BANGLADESH: Student political leader held in detention for 19 months without trial or specific charge

ISSUES: Arbitrary arrest and detention; right to security and liberty

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Dear friends,

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received information from the Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights (BIHR) that Mr. Mahfuzul Haydar Chowdhury Roton was arbitrarily arrested on 16 January 2007 by the Joint Forces. The authorities have detained him in prison under the Special Powers Act-1974, without any trial for any specific charge. He was rearrested and detained despite the High Court Division of the Supreme Court granting him bail on two occasions. Following continuous protests from political activists he was released on 7 August 2008. Please ask the authorities to investigate into this incident of prolonged detention without trial and specific charge.

URGENT APPEAL:Bangladesh: Ensure Protection and Compensation to Tortured Student Leader, Mr. Mahfuzul Haydar Chowdhury Rotan

URGENT APPEAL:Bangladesh: Ensure Protection and Compensation to Tortured Student Leader, Mr. Mahfuzul Haydar Chowdhury Rotan [UA-BA-13.08.2008]

Dear Friends,

Global Human Rights Defence (GHRD) has received a fact-finding report from Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights (BIHR) regarding the arbitrary arrest, lengthy detention and brutal torture of Mr. Mahfuzul Haydar Chowdhury Rotan, general secretary of Bangladesh student league (BCL). Mr. Rotan has been kept in detention without specific allegations made against him for a period of more then one and a half years. Rotan, who was released recently from Mymensing Central jail, has testified of undergoing brutal torture and is receiving threats of re-arrest, or death by cross fire. GHRD is extremely concerned about the torture and circumstances of the arrest, the lack of due process and the future physical and psychological integrity of Mr. Rotan and his family. GHRD demands adequate compensation for the victim and his family, including the accurate punishment of those persons who were directly and indirectly involved with these severe human rights violations. The cause of detention must be disclosed by the authorities after an impartial investigation, and the report must be published immediately. Please read the fact finding report from BIHR and forward this appeal to the relevant authorities listed below

URGENT APPEAL:Bangladesh: Farmer tortured to death when protesting the torture of his son by the police at Cox´s Bazar District

URGENT APPEAL:Bangladesh: Farmer tortured to death when protesting the torture of his son by the police at Cox´s Bazar District; [UA-BA-18.06.2008]

Dear Friends,

Global Human Rights Defence (GHRD) has received a fact finding report from the Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights (BIHR) and the Centre for Fact-Finding and Research (CHFR) regarding the brutal and fatal torture of farmer Sirajul Islam (52) of Chakaria Upazia in Cox’s Bazar District on the 14-15 May, 2008. Sirajul was tortured to death due to his attempt to hinder the police from torturing his son.