...And eventually, the critical geographer, thinking to which e-mail to
reply first - "geographers and air travel", or "bangladeshi academics
seek release" - stood up to make a coffee, wondering how much CO2 might
be released under torture in a prison...
...And thought about a session in the next conference about whom and
from where (can afford to) talk and act on climate change.
S.
Sara Fregonese
PhD candidate
School of Geography, Politics and Sociology
Newcastle University
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 7RU UK
Tel: +44 (191) 2228510
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
>-----Original Message-----
>From: A forum for critical and radical geographers
>[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Camila Bassi
>Sent: 05 September 2007 12:39
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Bangladeshi academics seek release
>
>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
>
|