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Scholars at Risk and NEAR support the global call to release those detained. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The arrests were made after Bangladesh’s government imposed a curfew to quell student riots that had caused chaos on university campuses across the country. The unrest began when students from the University of Dhaka demanded the removal of an army post from their campus during a football match. The ensuing violent clashes left more than 300 people injured and at least one person dead, according to the Times. Protestors clashed with police demanding an end to emergency rule and the restoration of democracy. Those arrested have been accused of instigating the protests. In addition to these arrests, reports suggest that security forces forcibly entered dormitories at both Dhaka University and Jahangirnagar University and mistreated students, according to Scholars at Risk. All universities and colleges in the six cities were shut indefinitely as part of efforts to end the unrest. Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed assumed power over Bangladesh after the President, backed by the military, cancelled an election in January 2007 and declared a state of emergency after months of clashes between the country’s two main political parties. He claims that he will hold elections at the end of 2008, but according to the Times, many Bangladeshis appear to want them earlier. Sanjeeb Hossain, son of detained Dr Anwar Hossain, has told of how his father was removed from his home in the middle of the night before being subjected to psychological and physical torture. He has also stated that his father was continuously interrogated for seven days and denied any sleep. It is becoming increasingly clear that the government, which initially enjoyed the support of most Bangladeshis, has fallen out of favour after deciding to take the path of repression, the Times has said. RECOMMENDED ACTION: Please send appeals: 1. To call upon the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh to release those detained; 2. To pressure the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh to ensure their well-being and to provide them with speedy access to counsel, to family and to medical care if necessary. APPEALS TO: Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed, Chief Advisor, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Tejgaon, Dhaka, Bangladesh Fax: +880 2 811-3244 or 3243 Barrister Mainul Hosein, Adviser, Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Building No. 4 (7th floor), Bangladesh Secretariat, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh Fax: +880 2 882-3744 H.E. Mr. Humayun Kabir, Embassy of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, 3510 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA, Telephone: (202)-244-0183 Fax: (202)-244-7830/2771 Email: bdootwash@bangladoot.org Ms. Geeta Pasi, Charge d’Affaires, US Embassy, Madani Avenue, Baridhara, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh Fax: + (880) 2 882-3744 The Honorable Condoleeza Rice Secretary of State, US Department of State, 2201 C Street N.W. Washington D.C. 20520 PLEASE SEND COPIES OF YOUR APPEALS TO:
Natalie Nicora Programme Officer, Network for Education and Academic Rights 90 London Road, SE1 9LN London, UK Fax: 0044(0) 207 021 0881 natalie.nicora@nearinternational.org'>natalie.nicora@nearinternational.org To ensure that appeals are current and credible, please do not continue to write appeals on this case after 60 days from the date of the posting unless an update has been issued. URGENT
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Email address: natalie.nicora@nearinternational.org'>natalie.nicora@nearinternational.org -END-
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