UEGENT APPEAL: Human rights situation in Camp Ashraf-Iraq

Ms. Navi Pillay

High Commissioner for Human Rights

United Nations

Geneva/ Switzerland

Subject: Human rights situation in Camp Ashraf-Iraq

Dear Ms. Pillay

Since January 1^st, 2009, when the protection of Camp Ashraf in Iraq has been transferred from US forces to the Iraqi government, the international community is faced with an increasing anxiety over the violation of the most basic rights of 3500 people in Camp Ashraf who 1000 of them are women. Ashraf is home to the members of the Iranian opposition, People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI).

FACT-FINDING REPORT: Attacked on the Village of Indigenous People to Grab Land and Pond: Many of Them Assaulted

The news headed on “Attacked on the Village of Indigenous People to Grab Land and Pond: Many of Them Assaulted” at Dulahar village in Nachole upazila under Chapai Nababgong district was published on the daily “Prothom Alo” as well as other most of the Bengali and English daily news paper in Bangladesh on 23 June 2009. The news came to knowledge at the concern authority of Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights (BIHR) and a fact-finding investigation mission has been conducted by a team of Bangladesh BIHR & NHRD comprising Md. Ehshanul Haque and Md. Abu Musha Ashowary from June 29 to 30, 2009. The information that has been collected by the mission is given bellow:

URGENT APPEAL: Bangladesh: Indigenous (tribal) girl raped and murdered in CHT [UA-BA-09.2009]

The Hague, 9 July 2009 

 URGENT APPEAL [UA-BA-09.2009] BANGLADESH: Indigenous (tribal) girl raped and murdered in CHT. ------------------------------------------------------ 

 ISSUES: Rape, killing, protection of minorities and women. ------------------------------------------------------ 

 Dear friends, 

 Global Human Rights Defence (GHRD) has received a fact-finding report from Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights (BIHR) who investigated the brutal rape and killing of a young indigenous girl by a Bengali guard in the Bandarban District, Bangladesh. Maching Khai Marma (18) was raped then killed with a brick at around 5.30.pm on May 8, 2009. A 13-year old boy witnessed the incident from a nearby forest. FACT DETAILS: Name of the Victim :Maching Khai Marma (18) Adress of the Victim :Vill: Remong Member Para, 305, Gojalia Village, Union: Gojalia, Police Station: lam, District: Bandarban.. Name& Address of the perpetrator: withheld Date of the Incident: : 08 May 2009, at around 5.30 PM Place of Incident : Rejected brick field of Najmul Islam, Vill: Atmile Muslim Para, 305, Gojalia, Police Station: Lama, District: Bandarban. Case file : Lama Police Station Case Number: 03/45 Date of Case : 09 May, 2009 around at 11.30 PM Under Section : 302 of Penal Code 

FCAT FINDING REPORT: AN INDIGENOUS (TRIBAL) GIRL HAS BEEN MURDER AFTER RAPAE BY A BANGALI LETCHER.

The news headed “A marma girl murdered after rape: Demand exemplary punishment” was published the daily prothom alo as well as other most of the Bengali and English dailies on 13 may 2009. The news came to knowledge at the concern authority of Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights (BIHR) and a fact-finding mission has been conducted by a team of Bangladesh BIHR & BCHRD comprising Adv. Shahanur Islam Saikot, Programme Manager of Legal & Human Rights affairs and Shohel Ahmed from May 24 to 29,2009. 

URGENT APPEAL: A young tribal man torture to death by military forces at Shuvalong under Rangamati district in Bangladesh.

BANGLADESH INSTITUTE OF HUMAN RIGHTS URGENT APPEAL PROGRAMME

URGENT APPEAL CASE: BIHR-IUA-29-06-2009

BANGLADESH: A young tribal man torture to death by military forces at Shuvalong under Rangamati district in Bangladesh.

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DATE: June 30, 2009

ISSUES: Arbitrary arrest; torture, extrajudicial killing and impunity

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Dear Friends

Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights has been received a report from its reliable network organization regarding a tribal Youngman torture to death at Shuvalong under Rangamati district in Bangladesh by military forces. Though the victim family demanded to make a credible investigation to bring the allege perpetrators before justice, yet no proper action has been taken by the concern authority.

URGENT APPEAL: BANGLADESH: A young tribal man torture to death by military forces at Shuvalong under Rangamati district in Bangladesh.

BANGLADESH INSTITUTE OF HUMAN RIGHTS URGENT APPEAL PROGRAMME

URGENT APPEAL CASE: BIHR-IUA-29-06-2009

 BANGLADESH: A young tribal man torture to death by military forces at Shuvalong under Rangamati district in Bangladesh. ======================================== 

 DATE: June 29, 2009 ISSUES: Arbitrary arrest; torture, extrajudicial killing and impunity ========================================= 

 Dear Friends 

 Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights has been received a fact finding report from its reliable network organization regarding a tribal Youngman torture to death at Shuvalong under Rangamati district in Bangladesh by military forces. Though the victim family demanded to make a credible investigation to bring the allege perpetrators before justice, yet no proper action has been taken by the concern authority. 

NEWS: BIHR along with BRCT Celebrate the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture

Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights (BIHR) along with Bangladesh Rehabilitation Centre for Trauma Victims (BRCT), Human Rights Development Centre-HRDC in cooperation with European commission celebrate the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture by organize a view exchange meeting on “Together against Torture & Organized Violence on Indigenous / Tribal People” from 12.00pm -2.00 pm on June 26, 2009 at Reporters Unity Conference Room, Sagun Bagicha, Dhaka.

URGENT APPEAL: BANGLADESH: Ensure the protection of human rights defender: Shahanur Islam Saikot.

25 June 2009 

 The Hague 

 URGENT APPEAL: [UPDATE] BANGLADESH: Ensure the protection of human rights defender: Shahanur Islam Saikot. [UA-BA-2009-06-26] ------------------------------------------------------ 

 ISSUES: Threats, death threats to human rights defenders; impunity ------------------------------------------------------ 

 BANGLADESH: Ensure the protection of human rights defender: Shahanur Islam Saikot. Dear Friends, Global Human Rights Defence (GHRD) has received updated information regarding the continuous serious threats to Shahanur Islam, a human rights defender and lawyer in Bangladesh. The latest incident of intimidation occurred on 15-16 June 2009. Mr. Islam received a threatening phone call thrice within an hour, on 15 June; and at 12:00am on 16 June respectively. The caller used foul language, which carried the message of sexual harassment towards Mr. Islam’s female members of his family. He also threatened Mr. Islam that he could ‘attack him at any time’. Despite Mr. Islam’s efforts, there has still been no action taken by the police authorities. Also, the concerned police stations are trying to discourage him to file charges.

URGENT APPEAL: Communication with United Nation by GHRD Regarding to Intimidation of Mr. Shahanur

Case number: 008-GHRD-HRCFBD-009-14-islam

Country: Bangladesh

Last name: Islam

First name: Shahanur

Type of Violation: Violation to personal integrity.

Act(s): Threats, death threats to human rights defender.

Submitted to: United Nations Special Procedures Division – Human Rights Defenders

Date of Submission to the UNSP: 1st version, 02.06.2009

Updated version: 25.06.2009

GHRD Contact: Jenny Lundström

1. Identity of the victim:

Name: Shahanur Islam Saikot

Position: Secretary General and Executive Director of the Bangladesh Centre for Human Rights and Development, Coordinator of Centre for Human Rights Fact Finding & Research, Programme Officer of Legal and Human Rights Affairs at the Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights and Bangladesh Rehabilitation Centre for Trauma Victims, as well as a member of the Bangladesh Bar Council and Bar Association in Dhaka District.

NEWS: BIHR and BRCT is jointly going to observe the UN day of support to victim of torture.

Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights (BIHR) and Bangladesh Rehabilitation Centre for Trauma Victims (BRCT) is jointly going to organize a view exchange meeting on “Together against Torture & organized Violence on Indigenous/Tribal People” from 12.00pm -2.00 pm on June 26, 2009 as the part of difference programme on the occasion of observance of United Nation Day of Support to the Torture Victim. In the meeting Sanjeeb Drong, General Secretary of Bangladesh Indigenous People Forum has kindly given consent to present the event as chief guest. Rang Lai Mro, a human rights activist and tribal leader has also given consent to present the event as special guest. Dr. AK Khalilur Rahman will preside the vent and Adv. Shahanur Islam will moderate the meeting.

URGENT APPEAL: Urge to Investigate Case of Intimidations to Human Rights Defenders and Provide Protection Immediately

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

 23 June 2009 

 Dear Mr. Nur Mohammad, 

  Urge to Investigate Case of Intimidations to Human Rights Defenders and Provide Protection Immediately 

 The Asian Center for the Progress of Peoples (ACPP), a regional human rights organization based in Hong Kong, has been informed by an organization in Bangladesh that Mr. Shahanur Islam is under threat again. We are writing to express our concern over the personal security of Mr. Islam. Mr. Shahanur Islam, Program Manager of Legal and Human Rights Affairs at Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights (BIHR) and affiliated with other human rights organizations, has been threatened by phone calls over the years. The latest incident of intimidation occurred on 15-16 June. According to information received, Mr. Islam received a phone call from 01713702555 and 01715122888 thrice within an hour, at 11:57pm and 11:58pm on 15 June; and at 12:00am on 16 June respectively.

FACT FINDING REPORT:Human Rights Defender & Lawyer Mr. Shahanur Islam Once Again Received Threat

Date: June 18, 2009

Fact Finding Case: BIHR-HRD-05-09

Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights has been received a fact finding report conducted by the fact finding team of BIHR from June 16 to 17, 2009 regarding to intimidation of Mr. Shahanur Islam Saikot, Programme Manager of Legal and Human Rights Affairs at the Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights (BIHR) and Bangladesh Rehabilitation Centre for Trauma Victims (BRCT) by cell phone. According to the information received, there was no action taken by the police authorities.

COMMUNICATION: United Nations Special Procedures Division – Human Rights Defenders

GLOBAL HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENCE-GHRD Case number: BA-HRD-02.06.2009 

  Country: Bangladesh 

  Last name: Islam 

  First name: Shahanur 

  Type of Violation: 

 Submitted to: United Nations Special Procedures Division – Human Rights Defenders 

 Date of Submission to the UN: 16 May 2008 

  GHRD Contact: Jenny Lundström, Roger Lloret Blackburn 

  1. Identity of the victim: Name: Shahanur Islam Saikot 

  Position: Secretary General and Executive Director of the Bangladesh Centre for Human Rights and Development, Coordinator of Centre for Human Rights Fact Finding & Research, Programme Officer of Legal and Human Rights Affairs at the Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights and Bangladesh Rehabilitation Centre for Trauma Victims, as well as a member of the Bangladesh Bar Council and Bar Association in Dhaka District. 

  Citizenship: Bangladeshi 

  Work address: Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights, 27 Bijoy Nagar Dhaka-1000 Bangladesh 

  2. Date and place of event: Date: 28 April at about 3 p.m. 

  Location: In front of court chief judicial magistrate court ground in Shariyatpur District. 

  3. Alleged perpetrator(s): Mr. Anis, Member of the Rapid Action Battalion in Madaripur, and other unidentified group of around 7 members of the Rapid Action Battalion. 

  4. Case Documents: Document: Date: N/A