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 

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

Date: May 28, 2009

Fact Finding Case: BIHR-HRD-04-09

Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights has been received a fact finding report conducted by the fact finding team of BIHR from May 25-27, 2009 regarding to intimidation of Mr. Shahanur Islam, Secretary General and Executive Director of the Bangladesh Centre for Human Rights and Development (BCHRD), Coordinator of Centre for Human Rights Fact Finding & Research (CHFR), Programme Officer 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 a member of the Bangladesh Bar Council and Bar Association in Dhaka district by the member of RAB-8, during filing case against the RAB personnel on charging murder by torturing during emergency period with the Chief Judicial magistrate Court in Shariyatpur district. According to the information received, there was no action taken by the police authorities.

REPORT: Human Rights Defender & Lawyer Mr. Shahanur Islam Once Again Received Threat from RAB-8 During Filing Case Against the RAB Men in Bangladesh.

Human Rights Defender & Lawyer Mr. Shahanur Islam Once Again Received Threat from RAB-8 During Filing Case Against the RAB Personnel in Bangladesh. Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights has been received a report reliable source regarding to intimidation of Mr. Shahanur Islam, Secretary General and Executive Director of the Bangladesh Centre for Human Rights and Development (BCHRD), Coordinator of Centre for Human Rights Fact Finding & Research (CHFR), Programme Officer 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 a member of the Bangladesh Bar Council and Bar Association in Dhaka district by the member of RAB-8, during filing case against the RAB personnel on charging murder by torturing during emergency period with the Chief Judicial magistrate Court in Shariyatpur district. According to the information received, there was no action taken by the police authorities. 

NEWS: A Case, Charging on Murder by Torturing was Filed against 16 Men including 7 Members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)

A petition case was filed against 16 men including 7 members of Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)-08, Madaripur Zone, charging on murder by torturing during the time of emergency under section 302, 109, 34 and 506 of Penal Code with the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court in Shariyapur district by one Ret’d Army Men Mr. Abdur Rahman Khan, father of the dead person (victim) Mr. Afjal Hossin today on May 25, 2009 with the help of Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights (BIHR), under its legal and humanitarian activities to promote and protect human rights with the vision of making a torture and extra judicial execution free Bangladesh. One of the accused is an Assistant Superintend of Police (ASP) level official of RAB.

PRESS RELEASE:Press Release A case charging on murder by torturing during emergency period is going to be file against seven members of elite force

A case charging on murder by torturing during emergency period is going to be file against seven members of elite force Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), including an Assistant Superintend of Police (ASP) with the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court, Shariyatpur on May 25, 2009. 

 A petition case is going to be file against the seven members of elite force Rapid Action Battalion (RAB)-8, Madaripur, including an Assistant Superintend of Police (ASP) charging on murder by torturing during the time of emergency under section 302, 109, 34 and 506 of Penal Code with the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court in Shariyapur district by one Ret’d Army Men Mr. Abdur Rahman Khan, father of the dead person (victim) Mr. Afjal Hossin on May 25, 2009 with the help of Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights (BIHR), under its legal and humanitarian activities to promote and protect human rights with the vision of making a torture and extra judicial execution free Bangladesh.

URGENT APPEAL (UPDATE): Bangladesh : Ensure the security of human rights defender; investigate cases and bring the culprits before justice

The Hague, 18 May 2009

  URGENT APPEAL (UPDATE): Bangladesh : Ensure the security of human rights defender; investigate cases and bring the culprits before justice [UA-BA-2009.18.05] 

 ISSUE: Human Rights Defender; Threats and Intimidation 

  Dear Friends, GHRD (Global Human Rights Defence) has received updated information from the Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights (BIHR) with regards to Shahanur Islam, a human rights defender who has been continuously intimidated and threatened. According to the information received, still no action has been taken by the police authorities. GHRD encourages you to read the past appeal at http://www.ghrd.org/Pagina.asp?ID=3420 GHRD urges your intervention by asking concerned authorities to ensure the protection of his life as well as conducting an impartial and credible investigation to bring the culprit before justice. 

URGENT APPEAL:Ensure the security of human rights defender; investigate cases of intimidations and bring the culprits before the justice.

BANGLADESH INSTITUTE OF HUAMAN RIGHTS URGENT APPEAL PROGRAMME 

 URGENT APPEAL CASE: BIHR UA-2009-05-01 

 ISSUE: Human rights Defender; Threats and Intimidation ========================================== 

 DATE: May 18, 2009 BANGLADESH: Ensure the security of human rights defender; investigate cases of intimidations and bring the culprits before the justice. ==========================================

 Dear Friends, 

 Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights has been received a fact-finding report conducted by the high level team of BIHR regarding to intimidation of Mr. Shahanur Islam, Secretary General and Executive Director of the Bangladesh Centre for Human Rights and Development (BCHRD), Coordinator of Centre for Human Rights Fact Finding & Research (CHFR), 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 a member of the Bangladesh Bar Council and Bar Association in Dhaka District by the Filed Officer of (Sub Inspector Level Official) of Directorate General Forces of Intelligence (DGFI), while he was waiting for speaking with Media men after filing a petition case on charging attempt to murder by torturing with the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court (CMM) Dhaka against three men including a Major of Army. According to the information received, there was no action taken by the police authorities. BIHR urges your intervention asking concerned authority to ensure the protection of his life as well as conduct impartial and credible investigation to bring the culprit before the justice. 

FACT FING REPORT:A Prominent Human Rights Defender in Bangladesh Has Been Intimidated by the Directorate General Forces of Intelligence (DGFI) Officer

FACT FINDING REPORT: BIHR-2009-05-01

Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights has been conducted a fact finding mission by its high level team regarding to intimidation of Mr. Shahanur Islam Secretary General and Executive Director of the Bangladesh Centre for Human Rights and Development (BCHRD), Coordinator of Centre for Human Rights Fact Finding & Research (CHFR), 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 a member of the Bangladesh Bar Council and Bar Association in Dhaka District by the Filed Officer of (Sub Inspector Level Official) of Directorate General Forces of Intelligence (DGFI), while he was waiting for speaking with Media men after filing a petition case on charging attempt to murder by torturing with the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court (CMM) Dhaka against three men including a Major of Army. According to the information received, there was no action taken by the police authorities. BIHR urges your intervention asking concerned authority to ensure his life as well as conduct impartial and credible investigation to bring the culprit before the justice. The information received regarding the case are following: 

NEWS: BRCT & BIHR PARTICIPATES THE INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR ON HUMAN RIGHTS REPORTING AND TOOLS FOR EFFECTIVE ACTION AT MUMBAI, INDIA.

Bangladesh Rehabilitation Centre for Trauma Victims (BRCT) along with Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights (BIHR) participate the international seminar on human rights reporting and tools for effective action which was included interactive training session on human rights documentation, monitoring, media, lobbying, campaign & project management including HURIDOCs tool for human rights documentation, practical tools and mechanism to communicate human rights, using media as a tools to lobby human rights violation, writing a project proposal and financial reporting. The seminar was held on April 29 to May 01, 2009, at Rambhu Mhalgi Provodhini Knowledge- Excellent Centre, Uttan, Bhayander (Mumbai), Maharashtra, India. I

CASE STUDY : Police Brutality on Mr. Abdur Razzak By the Policemen

Shahanur Islam Saikot* 

Introduction: Abdur Razzaque fell victim of police torture for his alleged involvement in a stealing, which he denied. Razzaque wanted to bring the perpetrator of torture under book but did not get any assistance from lawyers. But he got assistance from the BIHR to bring the perpetrator of torture under law. 

CASE STUDY:Police Brutality on Mr. Aminul Islam Shahin

Shahanur Islam Saikot*

Introduction: Mr. Aminul Ism Shahin, amerororias student of Cumpure science of Queens University of Dhaka and Organizing secretary of Bangladesh Student League (student wing of Bangladesh Awami League) of Barishal Upazila unit was brutally tortured by the policemen influencing by some of his rival due to protest the unholy love affairs of his uncle. He was taken physical and psychological treatment from BRCT and also legal assistance from BIHR to file case against the perpetrators.

FACT FINDING REPORT: A Prominent Human Rights Defender in Bangladesh Has Been Intimidated by DGFI Field Officer.

Date: April 16, 2009 

 Fact Finding Case: BIHR-HRD-03-09

Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights has been conducted a fact finding mission by its high level team from April 13 to 15, 2009 regarding to intimidation of Mr. Shahanur Islam Secretary General and Executive Director of the Bangladesh Centre for Human Rights and Development (BCHRD), Coordinator of Centre for Human Rights Fact Finding & Research (CHFR), 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 a member of the Bangladesh Bar Council and Bar Association in Dhaka District by the Filed Officer of (Sub Inspector Level Official) of Directorate General Forces of Intelligence (DGFI), while he was waiting for speaking with Media men after filing a petition case on charging attempt to murder by torturing with the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court (CMM) Dhaka against three men including a Major of Army. According to the information received, there was no action taken by the police authorities. 

NEWS: A Businessman in Dhaka Sues against Joint Forces Man with the Legal Help of Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights (BIHR)

A businessman, who was brutally tortured by the joint forces during the period of caretaker government, filed a case against Mejor Sarwar, who was under duty of 17, East Bengle Regiment, Dhaka and other two civilians his cousin Saiful Islam and the latter’s associate Abdus Samad, on charge of attempt to murder by torturing him during the emergency regime with the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court, Dhaka under section 323, 324, 325, 326, 307, 506, 109 and 34 on April 13, 2009 with the legal help the human rights organization “Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights (BIHR)”. Md. Samsuddin Ahmed, proprietor of M/S Samsuddin Overseas in his complaint stated that, on July 26 2007, around at 1.30 p.m. a team comprising six members of army led by Maj. Sarwar who was on plain clothes along with Abdus samad and Saiful went to his office, 64/4, Naya Paltan, Dhaka and beat him mercilessly while he was doing his regular business job. Then, he was picked up and took him to the temporary camp of joint forces at Paltan Community Centre and again he was brutally tortured there by kicking with boot, slapping, beating with iron road, baton without any reason.

"Death threats against Mr. Shahanur Islam Saikot

23.03.2009 - Source:World Organisation Against Torture "Death threats against Mr. Shahanur Islam Saikot [BGD 001 / 0309 / OBS 051]" Human rights activist Shahanur Islam Saikot receives death threats [ID 117294] Document(s): Open document

NEWS: Torture During Emergency: Army officer, 2 others sued

The Daily Star: Tuesday, April 14, 2009 

Torture During Emergency: Army officer, 2 others sued 

Court Correspondent 

 An attempted murder case was filed yesterday against an army major and two others with the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate's (CMM) Court of Dhaka. Mohammad Shamsuddin Ahmed, proprietor of M/S Shahmsuddin Overseas, filed the case against the three on charges of attempting to murder him in their custody during the state of emergency in 2007. This is the first time a case has been filed against an army officer for torturing in custody. After the hearing, Metropolitan Magistrate Kanika Biswas recorded the statement of complainant, took it into cognisance and did not pass any order on the issue. The accused in the case are Major Sarwar and two civilians Abdus Samad and Md Saiful Islam. In his complaint, Shamsuddin mentioned that Maj Sarwar, Samad and Saiful picked him up from his Nayapaltan office on July 26 in 2007 and took him to the temporary army camp at Paltan Community Centre where they tortured him mercilessly without any reason. The plaintiff alleged that he lost his sense after the torture and was shifted to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) for treatment as his condition was deteriorating. Later, he was shown arrested in a criminal case filed with Paltan Police Station on July 26, 2007 even though his name was not in the first information report (FIR). He was released on bail on August 6, 2007. Moreover, the investigation officer submitted a final report saying that the charges brought against him (plaintiff) were not proved, complainant said. Adv. Shahanur Islam Saikot, Programme manager of Legal & Human Rights affairs at Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights moved the case on behalf of the complainant.