FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Ms Theba Islam
07951 737634
02 Sept 2007
CALL TO RELEASE BANGLADESHI UNIVERSITY ACADEMICS
FACTS OF THE CASE:
On August 24, 2007 at 12.15am, Dr. M. Anwar Hossain and Harun-ur-Rashid
both University Professors at Dhaka University were arrested in separate
raids on their homes and taken away by the Military Intelligence of the
Bangladesh Army.
Their arrests follow severe agitation between students of Dhaka University
and the Bangladesh Army and police. Amnesty International and Human Rights
Watch are currently investigating the case as the Professors have been
detained solely because of their peaceful political beliefs in returning
to a democratic process.
In today’s Court appearance, the Professors were charged with "giving
provocative statements and instigating the recent violent protests on
Dhaka University campus" Both have constantly rejected these allegations.
Dr. M. Anwar Hossain made the following press statement whilst in remand.
Please note it is unclear whether this was made under duress:
“We know that the members of the armed forces have self respect...however
we must not forget that the common citizens of our country and the
students of Dhaka University also have self respect. I hope the Armed
forces will remember this and learn from this incident so that they do not
make such a mistake in the future…”
Despite their statements of innocence in remand, the Magistrate ruled
today that the interrogators would question the teachers for four more
days on a new set of charges involving the breach of emergency powers
rules.
Dr. M. Anwar Hossain’s family are particularly concerned as his recent
court appearance showed evidence of torture and ill treatment. Dr. M.
Anwar Hossain stated in Court today that "People were physically tortured
in front of us to torment us mentally. We were devastated." This was
described as a brutal tactic used in military interrogation. Dr. M. Anwar
Hossain, is 58 years old, has a health condition which require regular
treatment. It is unclear if he currently has access to medical care and
his medication in detention.
Dr. M. Anwar Hossain is a Professor of the Department of Biochemistry and
Molecular Biology at the Dhaka University. He is also the Dean of the
Faculty of Biological Sciences at the Dhaka University. He is the General
Secretary of the Dhaka University Teachers Association.
Here is a resume of his career as a distinguished academic in his field –
http://www.bmbudhaka.net/fac/mah.htm
RELEVANT HUMAN RIGHTS STANDARDS
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
• Article 19: Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and
expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without
interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through
any media and regardless of frontiers.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Please send faxes, letters, or emails:
• Expressing your extreme concern about reports of the detention of
these Academics in Bangladesh who appear to have been detained solely for
exercising their human right to freedom of expression, including:
1. Prof. Anwar Hussain, Chairman, Dept. of Biochemistry & Molecular
Biology and General Secretary, Dhaka University Teachers Association
(DUTA).
2. Prof. Harun-or-Rashid, Dean, Dept. of Social Science, Dhaka University
3. Prof Saidur Rahman, Former Vice-Chancellor of Rajshahi University
4. Prof. Abdus Sobhan, Convenor of Rajshahi University Progressive
Teachers Society
5. Prof. Moloy Kumar Bhowmik, Dept. of Management, Rajshahi University
• Calling for the immediate and unconditional release of all
detainees; and
• Requesting that the authorities ensure that all detainees are not
subject to torture or ill-treatment and are granted access to their
families and lawyers.
APPEAL AND INQUIRY MESSAGES CAN BE SENT TO:
Local and International Media
Your MP, Councillor, Parliamentary Representative
Foreign Office Contacts
International Human Rights Organisations
Institutes and Faculties of Biochemistry
Amnesty International
Civil Society Organisation
Victims of Torture Groups
Science and Human Rights Programmers
Any relevant groups you think can help in the release of the Professors
RECENT MEDIA REPORTS:
• BBC - “Bangladesh moves to quell unrest” - 24 August 2007
• http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6961543.stm
• The Guardian - “Bangladesh relaxes curfew after arresting
Academics” - 24 August 2007
http://www.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,,2155562,00.html
• Al-Jazeera News - “Bangladesh arrests Academics” - 24 August 2007
• http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/0ECC1CDE-98CB-4BE2-9E91-
3F32983ABAC0.htm
• Human Rights Watch - “Bangladesh: Abuses Grow in Crackdown on
Protests, Students Angry After Eight Months of Emergency Rule” - 25 August
2007
http://hrw.org/english/docs/2007/08/25/bangla16739.htm
http://www.yubanet.com/artman/publish/article_64071.shtml
• BBC - “Photo the Bangladesh army cannot stand” - 28 August 2007
• http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6966467.stm
Latest news -
http://news.google.co.uk/news?hl=en&ned=uk&ie=UTF-8&q=%2BAnwar+%2BHossain+%
2BBangladesh
CONTACTS:
DHAKA, BANGLADESH
Mr. Sanjeeb Hossain, son of Dr. Anwar Hossain
Dhaka
Email: [log in to unmask]
Mobile: 01552385105 / 01197127226
LONDON, UK
Mr. Abu Ahasan, nephew of Dr. Anwar Hossain
London
Email: [log in to unmask]
Mobile: 07857926189
Ms. Theba Islam, niece of Dr. Anwar Hossain
London
Email: [log in to unmask]
Mobile: 07951 737634
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