Bangladesh: Four human rights defenders detained
Children at the Adomyo Bangladesh Foundation. Photo: Bangla tribune
On 16 September 2015, Dakha Court rejected a bail petition filed by four detained human rights defenders, Messrs Arian Arif, Jakia Sultana, Hasibul Hasan Sabuj and Firoz Alam Khan Shuvo. They had been arrested on 12 September on false accusations of human trafficking. They will therefore remain in detention until the next court proceeding, which is scheduled to take place on 20 September.
Arifur Rahman, also known as Arian Arif, is a human rights defender and founder of Adomyo Bangladesh Foundation, where Jakia Sultana, Hasibul Hasan Sabuj and Firoz Alam Khan Shuvo volunteer. Adomyo Bangladesh Foundation is a youth organisation which takes care of homeless children. The organisation provides them with shelter, education and computer training as well as vocational training. The organisation runs two schools for homeless children in Sadarghat and Agargaon.
The human rights defenders have been detained since 12 September 2015, when police arrested them in an apartment where the organisation provides shelter for homeless children. According to the police, the human rights defenders failed to present any documentation to verify their work with the organisation.
The police raid on the apartment followed a complaint which was filed with Rampura police by Mr Munir Hossain. He lodged the complaint under the Prevention and Suppression of Human Trafficking Act 2012, claiming that his nephew, Mobarak, had been picked up from a school in Goran. During the raid Mobarak was found in the shelter apartment, along with other nine children. All children confirmed that members of Adomyo Bangladesh Foundation had offered them shelter as they were homeless. Mobarak confirmed that he was staying at the apartment voluntarily as he was homeless.
Front Line Defenders is deeply concerned at the detention of the human rights defenders and the denial of bail. Their arrest appears to be a disproportionate response by the police to the complaint, whose unfounded nature was confirmed by the children assisted by the organisation. Their detention occurs in the context of a hostile environment for human rights defenders in Bangladesh.
Date: 25 September, 2015
To
The Prime Minister of Bangladesh
Old Sangsad Bhaban Tejgaon
Dhaka-1215, Bangladesh
Fax: +88 28113243info@pmo.gov.bd
Old Sangsad Bhaban Tejgaon
Dhaka-1215, Bangladesh
Fax: +88 28113243info@pmo.gov.bd
Your Excellency,
Dear Prime Minister
On 16 September 2015, Dakha Court rejected a bail petition filed by four detained human rights defenders, Messrs Arian Arif, Jakia Sultana, Hasibul Hasan Sabuj and Firoz Alam Khan Shuvo. They had been arrested on 12 September on false accusations of human trafficking. They will therefore remain in detention until the next court proceeding, which is scheduled to take place on 20 September.
Arifur Rahman, also known as Arian Arif, is a human rights defender and founder of Adomyo Bangladesh Foundation, where Jakia Sultana, Hasibul Hasan Sabuj and Firoz Alam Khan Shuvo volunteer. Adomyo Bangladesh Foundation is a youth organisation which takes care of homeless children. The organisation provides them with shelter, education and computer training as well as vocational training. The organisation runs two schools for homeless children in Sadarghat and Agargaon.
The human rights defenders have been detained since 12 September 2015, when police arrested them in an apartment where the organisation provides shelter for homeless children. According to the police, the human rights defenders failed to present any documentation to verify their work with the organisation.
The police raid on the apartment followed a complaint which was filed with Rampura police by a Mr Munir Hossain. He lodged the complaint under the Prevention and Suppression of Human Trafficking Act 2012, claiming that his nephew, Mobarak, had been picked up from a school in Goran. During the raid Mobarak was found in the shelter apartment, along with other 9 children. All children confirmed that members of Adomyo Bangladesh Foundation had offered them shelter as they were homeless. Mobarak confirmed that he was staying at the apartment voluntarily as he was homeless.
Front Line Defenders is deeply concerned at the detention of the human rights defenders and the denial of bail. Their arrest appears to be a disproportionate response by the police to the complaint, whose unfounded nature was confirmed by the children assisted by the organisation. Their detention occurs in the context of a hostile environment for human rights defenders in Bangladesh.I urge the authorities in Bangladesh to:
1. Immediately and unconditionally release Messrs Arian Arif, Jakia Sultana, Hasibul Hasan Sabuj and Firoz Alam Khan Shuvo;
2. Guarantee in all circumstances that all human rights defenders in Bangladesh are able to carry out their legitimate human rights activities without fear of reprisals and free of all restrictions.
Sincerely,
Syed Jahed Hossain
Human Rights Activist
Dear Prime Minister
On 16 September 2015, Dakha Court rejected a bail petition filed by four detained human rights defenders, Messrs Arian Arif, Jakia Sultana, Hasibul Hasan Sabuj and Firoz Alam Khan Shuvo. They had been arrested on 12 September on false accusations of human trafficking. They will therefore remain in detention until the next court proceeding, which is scheduled to take place on 20 September.
Arifur Rahman, also known as Arian Arif, is a human rights defender and founder of Adomyo Bangladesh Foundation, where Jakia Sultana, Hasibul Hasan Sabuj and Firoz Alam Khan Shuvo volunteer. Adomyo Bangladesh Foundation is a youth organisation which takes care of homeless children. The organisation provides them with shelter, education and computer training as well as vocational training. The organisation runs two schools for homeless children in Sadarghat and Agargaon.
The human rights defenders have been detained since 12 September 2015, when police arrested them in an apartment where the organisation provides shelter for homeless children. According to the police, the human rights defenders failed to present any documentation to verify their work with the organisation.
The police raid on the apartment followed a complaint which was filed with Rampura police by a Mr Munir Hossain. He lodged the complaint under the Prevention and Suppression of Human Trafficking Act 2012, claiming that his nephew, Mobarak, had been picked up from a school in Goran. During the raid Mobarak was found in the shelter apartment, along with other 9 children. All children confirmed that members of Adomyo Bangladesh Foundation had offered them shelter as they were homeless. Mobarak confirmed that he was staying at the apartment voluntarily as he was homeless.
Front Line Defenders is deeply concerned at the detention of the human rights defenders and the denial of bail. Their arrest appears to be a disproportionate response by the police to the complaint, whose unfounded nature was confirmed by the children assisted by the organisation. Their detention occurs in the context of a hostile environment for human rights defenders in Bangladesh.I urge the authorities in Bangladesh to:
1. Immediately and unconditionally release Messrs Arian Arif, Jakia Sultana, Hasibul Hasan Sabuj and Firoz Alam Khan Shuvo;
2. Guarantee in all circumstances that all human rights defenders in Bangladesh are able to carry out their legitimate human rights activities without fear of reprisals and free of all restrictions.
Sincerely,
Syed Jahed Hossain
Human Rights Activist
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