Dear Prime Minister Khaleda Zia,
I am writing to express my concern on the increased level of violence against human rights defenders in Bangladesh. It has been brought to my attention that four journalists were killed in 2004 alone.
I have also read testimonies from Amnesty International of Human Rights Defenders such as Jahangir Alam Akash, Probir Sikdar, Nazmul Imam, Sheikh Belaluddin Ahmed, Manik Saha and Tipu Sultan who have been threatened, intimidated and attacked, for exposing human rights violations and corruption in Bangladesh.
The Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognised Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms states that everyone has the right, individually and in association with others, to the lawful exercise of his/her profession and that the State should take all necessary measures to ensure the protection of everyone against any violence, threats, retaliation, de facto or de jure adverse discrimination, pressure or any other arbitrary action as a consequence of his or her legitimate exercise of rights.
Further more, the Constitution of Bangladesh in Part 3 ‘fundamental rights’ also outlines safeguards such as right to protection of law, protection of right to life and personal liberty, safeguards against arrest and detention and freedom of thought and conscience showing that your government has the responsibility to protect all of its citizens from human rights abuses.
I urge you to take strong action to put an end to human rights abuses being committed against these human rights defenders in Bangladesh and to ensure that incidents of targeted violence against human rights defenders are publicly condemned and that those individuals responsible for human rights abuses are brought to justice.
Yours sincerely