| |
.
. |
|
ANFREL
calls for end to harassment of Bangladesh
|
|
human rights organization
|
|
March 28, 2011
from
NAMFREL Election Monitor Vol.2, No.5
|
|
. |
In a letter to the UN Office
of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Asian Network
for Free Elections (ANFREL) calls attention to the
harassment of members of Odhikar – an organization in
Bangladesh composed of lawyers, university professors,
journalists, social and development activists committed to
human rights. Odhikar is one of ANFREL's
member-organizations.
“On multiple occasions in the past two weeks, unknown
figures apparently connected to the government have appeared
outside Odhikar’s office and Mr. Khan’s (Odhikar Secretary
Advocate Adilur Rahman Khan's) home. They have harassed
staff, followed Mr. Khan, and demanded personal information
about Mr. Khan as well as the records of Odhikar. Their
questioning included asking very specific questions about
Mr. Khan’s family, questions no doubt intended to intimidate
and scare him into discontinuing his work,” the letter said.
According to reports, acts of harassment against members of
the organization have taken place particularly after
Odhikar's third Annual Human Rights Defenders conference
held in the capital Dhaka early this month.
ANFREL calls on the government of Bangladesh to investigate
and end the intimidation of the organization and to “do more
to protect those working to strengthen democracy and human
rights in Bangladesh...in accordance with the duties of
States found in the UN’s Declaration on Human Rights
Defenders.” |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
.
.
. |
|
| |
| |
|
|
