Paris, France | April 13, 2025 — France-based human rights watchdog JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) strongly condemns the arbitrary arrest and preventive detention of environmental activist, model, and Chairperson of the Miss Bangladesh Foundation, Meghna Alam, under the Special Powers Act of 1974—a controversial law long criticized for suppressing dissent.
Meghna Alam, also crowned Miss Earth Bangladesh 2020, was detained from her residence in Dhaka on April 9, 2025, and transferred to Kashimpur Jail following a closed-door court hearing on April 10. Her 30-day preventive detention was ordered under the Special Powers Act, based on vague allegations that she was spreading misinformation and threatening diplomatic relations.
Robert Simon, prominent French human rights activist and Chief Adviser of JMBF, stated:
“This is a textbook case of state abuse using repressive legal tools to target a woman for speaking her truth. Meghna Alam’s detention under a draconian colonial-era law is an alarming attack on freedom of expression and women’s rights under the current interim government led by Prof. Muhammad Yunus. It sets a dangerous precedent in Bangladesh’s democracy.”
Advocate Shahanur Islam, Bangladeshi human rights lawyer and Founder-President of JMBF, added:
“Her arrest appears politically motivated and retaliatory, especially following her public exposure of personal misconduct involving a foreign diplomat. The government must release her immediately and guarantee her due process under international human rights standards.”
According to verified reports and widely circulated social media footage, Meghna went live on her verified Facebook page shortly before her arrest, pleading for help as men identifying themselves as police attempted to forcibly enter her home without a warrant. The video, later deleted from her account, showed her visibly distressed. However, copies of the footage have since gone viral, fueling public outcry and condemnation.
The Special Powers Act of 1974, invoked to justify her detention, has been condemned by human rights organizations globally for enabling arbitrary detention without trial and being systematically used to silence critics, political opponents, and activists.
JMBF Demands:
1. Immediate and Unconditional Release of Meghna Alam
JMBF demands the immediate and unconditional release of Meghna Alam, whose detention violates her fundamental rights to liberty, due process, and freedom of expression.
2. Independent Investigation into Her Arrest and Detention
We call for a transparent, impartial inquiry into the circumstances of her arrest, including unlawful home entry, seizure of personal property, and deletion of digital content. Authorities responsible must be held accountable.
3. Repeal or Reform of the Special Powers Act, 1974
JMBF urges urgent repeal or comprehensive reform of this outdated and draconian law to ensure alignment with the Constitution of Bangladesh and international human rights standards.
4. Protection for Women Activists and Whistleblowers
Meghna’s case highlights the growing risks faced by women who are exposed to abuse of power. The government must ensure robust legal protections for women activists, whistleblowers, lawyers, and journalists.
JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) stands in unwavering solidarity with Meghna Alam and calls upon the international community, including the European Union, United Nations, and global human rights bodies, to raise their voices and pressure the Bangladeshi authorities to uphold justice, accountability, and the rule of law.
Thank you
Mosa. Jannatul Ferdaus
Chief Coordinator & Executive Committee Member
JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF)
Fact in Brief:
(According to information received from JMBF reliable sources and reports published in various news media in Bangladesh)
Environmental Activist and Model Meghna Alam Jailed Under Preventive Detention Using Draconian Special Powers Act 1974
Environmental activist, model, and Miss Bangladesh Foundation Chairperson Meghna Alam was arrested on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, and sent to jail for 30 days under preventive detention, as per the Special Powers Act of 1974, following a late-night court hearing on April 10.
Metropolitan Magistrate Sfat Ullah of the Chief Metropolitan Court in Dhaka ordered her detention at around 10:30 PM—more than 24 hours after she was picked up from her residence in the capital’s Bashundhara residential area. Later, Meghna—who also held the title of Miss Earth Bangladesh 2020—was transferred to Kashimpur Jail in Gazipur.
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police stated that Meghna had been taken into protective custody for allegedly spreading misinformation about a prominent individual. While the police claimed that the detention followed legal procedures, the statement also accused her of attempting to damage diplomatic relations between countries.
Her father, Badrul Alam, told reporters that Meghna had recently ended her engagement with a foreign diplomat after discovering he was already married. “I’ve heard that the diplomat contacted the Home Ministry. On Thursday night, the Detective Branch informed me that the Home Ministry had instructed law enforcement to take action under the Special Powers Act,” he said.
On the day of her arrest, around 5:00 PM, Meghna went live on her verified Facebook page, stating that individuals identifying themselves as police officers from Bhatara Police Station were trying to forcibly enter her home without a warrant. In the 12-minute live video, a visibly shaken Meghna is seen pleading with the men to leave, assuring them she would report to the police station voluntarily.
The video captured the men breaking into her apartment and seizing her phone. The footage and several previous posts were later removed from her profile, but social media users had already downloaded and widely circulated the video.
Legal Background
Section 3(1) of the Special Powers Act, 1974, permits authorities to detain individuals to prevent them from committing acts deemed prejudicial to national interests. Section 3(2) allows district or additional district magistrates to issue detention orders for actions considered threats to national security, public order, or economic stability, or for spreading panic, inciting communal hatred, or interfering with law enforcement.
************************************************
JMBF is an independent non-profit, nonpartisan human rights organization registered in France with registration number W931027714 under the association law of 1901, dedicated to defending human rights, fighting for justice, and empowering communities in Bangladesh and beyond.
No comments:
Post a Comment