Urgent Action: Bangladesh prisoner of conscience faces prolonged detention

Prisoner of conscience Shahidul Alam has been denied bail. If tried and convicted he faces 14 years in jail.

Shahidul Alam, a prisoner of conscience and possible victim of torture, has been denied bail and is being subjected to prolonged detention for peacefully exercising his right to free speech after a case was filed against him under section 57 of the draconian Information and Communication Technology Act of Bangladesh. If tried and convicted, he faces up to 14 years in prison.

Take action

Write, call or fax calling on authorities to:

• Immediately and unconditionally release Shahidul Alam and withdraw all cases against him as he is a prisoner of conscience, detained solely for peacefully expressing his opinions;
• Immediately order an independent and efficient investigation into his torture allegations, and if found to be true prosecute those responsible in fair proceedings;
• Amend or repeal the Information and Communication Technology Act so as to bring Bangladeshi laws into line with international human rights law.

Contact these officials before 24 October:

Minister of Home Affairs

Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal

Bangladesh Secretariat

Dhaka

Bangladesh

Mobile: +880 1 711541569

Tel: +880 2 9574800

Fax: +880 2 9133498

Email: [email protected]

Salutation: Honourable Home Minister

Inspector General of Police

Mohammad Javed Patwary

Police Headquarters

Dhaka

Bangladesh

Tel: +880 2 9514444;

+880 2 9514445;

Fax: +880 2 7125840

Email: [email protected]

Salutation: Dear Inspector General of Police        

With copies to:

Political Affairs Advisor to Bangladesh Prime Minister

H.T. Imam

Prime Minister’s Office

Dhaka

Bangladesh

Tel: +880 2 9129997

E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]

Salutation: Dear Advisor 

and

His Excellency Mr. MD. Nazmul Quaunine

High Commission for the People’s Republic of Bangladesh 

28 Queen’s Gate London 

SW7 5JA

020 7584 0081, 

Fax: 020 7581 7477

[email protected], www.bhclondon.org.uk