FACT FINDING REPORT: A Prominent Human Rights Defender in Bangladesh Once Again Received His Life Threat

Date: March 19, 2009

Fact Finding Case: BIHR-HRD-02-09

Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights (BIHR) has received a fact finding report conducted by a fact-finding team of BIHR from March 18 to 19, 2009 regarding serious threats to Mr. Shahanur Islam Saikot 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) as well as Member of Bangladesh Bar Council and Dhaka Bar Association by cell phone. According to the information received, there was no action taken by the police authorities.

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY:JOINT STATEMENT

Men and Women Must Unite to End Violence Against Women!

Global Human Rights Defence, (GHRD) The Hague-Dhaka, Jabala Action, Calcutta, and Bangladesh Institute for Human Rights (BIHR), and Bangladesh Rehabilitation Centre for Trauma Victims, four NGOs involved in the promotion of women’s rights in India and Bangladesh, have joined forces to raise awareness about the plight of women in South Asia on International Women’s Day 2009. Activities include a radio programme on Bhutanese refugee women’s issues in Nepal, joint press conferences in Dhaka, a ‘human chain’ for mass awareness, and student debates in Dhaka.

JOINT STATEMENT:Men and Women Must Unite to End Violence Against Women!

JOINT STATEMENT by Global Human Rights Defence, (GHRD) Jabala Action (Calcutta) Bangladesh Institute for Human Rights (BIHR), and Bangladesh Rehabilitation Centre for Trauma Victims (BRCT)

The Hague, Calcutta, Dhaka, 8 March 2009

Men and Women Must Unite to End Violence Against Women!

Global Human Rights Defence, (GHRD) The Hague-Dhaka, Jabala Action, Calcutta, a new partner organisation of GHRD, and Bangladesh Institute for Human Rights (BIHR), Bangladesh Rehabilitation Centre for Trauma Victims (BRCT) four NGOs involved in the promotion of women’s rights in India and Bangladesh, have joined forces to raise awareness about the plight of women in South Asia on International Women’s Day 2009.

URGENT APPEAL:Ensure the protection of human rights defender: Shahanur Islam Saikot in Bangladesh

The Hague, March 4 2009

URGENT APPEAL

BANGLADESH: Ensure the protection of human rights defender: Shahanur Islam Saikot.[UA-BA-2009-04.03]

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ISSUES: Threats to human rights defenders; fabrication of charges; impunity

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Dear Friends,

Global Human Rights Defence (GHRD) has received a report conducted by a fact-finding team of Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights (BIHR) regarding serious threats to Shahanur Islam, a human rights defender and lawyer. According to the information received, there was no action taken by the police authorities.

Considering this is not an isolated event, but rather the safety of human rightsdefenders is of major concern in Bangladesh , GHRD strongly urges the newly electedgovernment to use its powers to ensure the protection of human rights defenders andjournalists, to respect the rule of law, end impunity and the arbitrary arrests,torture and killings that constituted the repressive policy of the military caretakergovernment under two years of emergency rule.

URGENT APPEAL: Urge to Ensure the Security and Investigate Cases of Intimidations to Human Rights Defenders.

BANGLADESH INSTITUTE OF HUMAN RIGHTS: URGENT APPEAL PROGRAMME 

URGENT APPEAL CASE: BIHR-IUA-01-03-2009 

DATE: March 04, 2009 ====================================== 

BANGLADESH: Urge to Ensure the Security and Investigate Cases of Intimidations to Human Rights Defenders.

Dear Friends, Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights has been received a fact-finding report conducted by a high level fact-finding team of BIHR regarding to a prominent human rights defender and lawyer in Bangladesh is still under threats his life. He filed more general diary to the concerned police station but no appropriate action has been taken as well as no investigation has been conducted. BIHR urges your immediate intervention to ensure his security to save his life as well as investigate this alleged incident credibly and punishment of the alleged perpetrators in accordance with the law. . 

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.

URGENT APPEAL: Bangladesh: Student Leader of Sunni Religion Brutally Tortured by Policemen

Appeal: Bangladesh: Student Leader of Sunni Religion Brutally Tortured by Policemen

Dear Friends,

Global Human Rights Defence (GHRD) is deeply concerned about information received by the Bangladesh Institute for Human Rights (BIHR) regarding a student league leader that has been brutally tortured by Policemen on 9 November 2007 in Bangladesh. The victim is a 29 year old student in his seventh semester of Computer Science & Engineering at the University of Queens in Dhaka. Early in the morning on 9 November 2007 he was tortured in his own home by the guards of the residence. The names of the 7 guards that were on duty that morning are known, together with the names of the 7 conspirators to the torture.

URGENT APPEAL: Bangladesh: College student (20) arrested and tortured by the police at Ramna, DMP, Dhaka, Bangladesh

URGENT APPEAL: Bangladesh: College student (20) arrested and tortured by the police at Ramna, DMP, Dhaka, Bangladesh [UA-BA-08.04.2008(a)]

Dear Friends,

Global Human Rights Defence (GHRD) has received disturbing information regarding a male college student (20) who was arrested and tortured on 07 March 2008. The young student was taken to the police station in Dhaka and continuously tortured until the following day according to the Bangladesh Institute for Human Rights (BIHR) that investigated the matter. 

URGENT APPEAL:Concern about Arbitrary Detention,Review Lawfulness of Detention of Mr. Hasan Khan

24 February 2009 

 Sheikh Hasina Prime Minister 

Office of the Prime Minister 

Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh 

Tejgaon, Dhaka 

BANGLADESH 

 Dear Prime Minister, 

  Concern about Arbitrary Detention, Review Lawfulness of Detention of Mr. Hasan Khan 

 The Asian Center for the Progress of Peoples (ACPP), a regional human rights organization based in Hong Kong, writes to express our concern over the personal security of Mr. Hasan Khan who was arrested o n 25 May 2008. We are concerned that the case of Mr. Khan may constitute arbitrary detention which is a breach of article 9 of the International Covenant on the Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). ACPP is informed from local human rights organization Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights (BIHR) that Mr. Hasan Khan, 32 years old, was abducted by 6 Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) officers on the way home from Gazipur Court around 12:15pm, 25 May 2008.

FACT FINDING REPORT: An Immediate Released Prisoner Has Not Been Known for Nine Months Following the Detain by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)-1

An Immediate Released Prisoner Has Not Been Known for Nine Months Following the Detain by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)-1 in Dhaka. 

Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights has been received a fact-finding report conducted by a high level fact-finding team of BIHR regarding to Mr. Hasan Khan, an immediate released prisoner has not been known for nine months following the detain by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)-1, in Dhaka. His relatives have appealed to top officials, including the head of the government, since his disappearance and also filed a Writ Petition to the High Court Division of Supreme Court of Bangladesh and the Court issued the rule to the concern authority of the Government as well as directed to response the rule within three weeks but no appropriate action has been taken, even no investigation has been conducted

URGENT APPEAL: Whereabouts of an immediate released prisoner remain unrevealed after being arrested by the Rapid Action Battalion in Dhaka

BANGLADESH INSTITUTE OF HUMAN RIGHTS URGENT APPEAL PROGRAMME URGENT APPEAL CASE: BIHR-IUA-01-02-2009 

DATE: February 23, 2009 ====================================== 

BANGLADESH: Whereabouts of an immediate released prisoner remain unrevealed after being arrested by the Rapid Action Battalion in Dhaka 

ISSUES: Arbitrary arrest; involuntary disappearance and security ================================================== 

Dear Friends Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights has been received a fact-finding report conducted by a high level fact-finding team of BIHR regarding to Mr. Hasan Khan, an immediate released prisoner has not been known for nine months following the detain by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)-1, in Dhaka. His relatives have appealed to top officials, including the head of the government, since his disappearance and also filed a Writ Petition to the High Court Division of Supreme Court of Bangladesh and the Court issued the rule to the concern authority of the Government as well as directed to response the rule within three weeks but no appropriate action has been taken, even no investigation has been conducted. BIHR urges your immediate intervention to save his life as well as knows whereabouts him. 

Shahanur Islam Files Historic Complaint with UN Working Group on Enforced Disappearances in Bangladesh

In a groundbreaking move, Shahanur Islam, a courageous advocate for human rights, has become the first person in Bangladesh to submit a formal complaint to the United Nations Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances (WGID). The complaint, filed on November 11, 2008, sheds light on the disturbing case of Hasan Khan, who was reportedly kidnapped and forcibly disappeared by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) from Uttara, Dhaka.

The UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances, established by the UN Human Rights Council, plays a crucial role in investigating cases of enforced disappearances worldwide. By bringing attention to this grave concern through his complaint, Shahanur Islam has taken a significant step towards addressing the issue of enforced disappearances in Bangladesh.

Hasan Khan's story represents just one of many disturbing cases of individuals who have been victims of enforced disappearances in the country. Shahanur Islam's formal complaint highlights the urgent need for justice, accountability, and an end to such heinous acts.