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.
CASE DETAILS: On 07 March 2008 the police arrested the young student without any allegations against him, after which they asked his family to pay 50,000 taka as a bribe to release him. As the family was not able to pay such amounts, they offered to pay them 10,000 taka on the spot, and a remaining 5,000 if he was released without any harm done. The police authorities took the money from the family but broke their promise as they physically tortured their son while in police custody. The abuse consisted of slapping, kicking, hanging him from the ceiling, beating with baton and hockey stick, and electric shocking. In addition to this, he was mentally harassed and threatened to be killed in crossfire. As a result of the torture the three middle fingers of his left hand were fractured, his right hand was severely swollen, and the rest of his body suffered from severe injuries. After the torture took place, the police took the young man to court under false allegations, but due to his physical condition the court ordered him to return to jail custody where he would receive medical treatment at the jail hospital. Up to date, police deny all the alleged actions, and no investigation has been carried out by authorities on this matter. SUGGESTED ACTION: In light of the above, BIHR and GHRD strongly urges the local government to:
to form an independent commission headed by a High Court Judge with the aim to enquire into the matter in order to determine the cause of torture on the student and to publish the report at the earliest;
to ensure punishment of the perpetrators who were directly and indirectly involved in this violation of human rights;
to provide adequate financial compensation to the victim and victim’s family as well as guarantee the physical and psychological integrity of victim and victims family;
to ensure the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms throughout the country in accordance with national laws and international human rights standards;
to provide human rights education and training to the Police Inspectors and policemen who run police stations as well as to remove reservation from the Art.14 of Convention against Torture. In order to help, please print the following sample letter and send it to the relevant authorities found below.
Dear ___________,
Bangladesh: College student (20) arrested and tortured by the police at Ramna, DMP, Dhaka, Bangladesh.I am deeply concerned with the news received from Global Human Rights Defence (GHRD) 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. I am told that on 07 March 2008 the police arrested the young student without any allegations against him, after which they asked his family to pay 50,000 taka as a bribe to release him. As the family was not able to pay such amounts, they offered to pay them 10,000 taka on the spot, and a remaining 5,000 if he was released without any harm done. I am also told that the police authorities took the money from the family but broke their promise as they physically tortured their son while in police custody. The abuse consisted of slapping, kicking, hanging him from the ceiling, beating with baton and hockey stick, and electric shocking. In addition to this, he was mentally harassed and threatened to be killed in crossfire. As a result of the torture the three middle fingers of his left hand were fractured, his right hand was severely swollen, and the rest of his body suffered from severe injuries. In addition to this I was informed that after the torture took place, the police took the young man to court under false allegations, but due to his physical condition the court ordered him to return to jail custody where he would receive medical treatment at the jail hospital. Up to date, police deny all the alleged actions, and no investigation has been carried out by authorities on this matter. I therefore request you to ensure that:
to form an independent commission headed by a High Court Judge with the aim to enquire into the matter in order to determine the cause of torture on the student and to publish the report at the earliest;
to ensure punishment of the perpetrators who were directly and indirectly involved in this violation of human rights;
to provide adequate financial compensation to the victim and victim’s family as well as guarantee the physical and psychological integrity of victim and victims family;
to ensure the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms throughout the country in accordance with national laws and international human rights standards;
to provide human rights education and training to the Police Inspectors and policemen who run police stations as well as to remove reservation from the Art.14 of Convention against Torture. Taking into consideration that this incident is not an isolated event but rather these violations frequently take place in Bangladesh, I also urge the International Community, including the European Union and the United Nations to take a more active role to improve the deteriorated human rights situation in Bangladesh that has been under state of emergency since January 2007. I trust that you will take immediate action on this serious matter.
Yours sincerely,
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PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:
1. Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed Chief Advisor Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh Office of the Chief Advisor Tejgaon, Dhaka BANGLADESH Tel: +880 2 8828160-79, 9888677 Fax: +880 2 8113244 or 3243 or 1015 or 1490
2. Mr. Mohammad Ruhul Amin Chief Justice Supreme Court of Bangladesh Supreme Court Building Ramna, Dhaka-1000 BANGLADESH Tel: +880 2 9562792 Fax: +880 2 9565058
3. Mr. Nur Mohammad Inspector General of Police Bangladesh Police Police Headquarters' Fulbaria, Dhaka-1000 BANGLADESH Tel: +880 2 9562054 or 7176451 or 7176677 Fax: +880 2 9563362 or 9563363
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