Release of Uttaran chief demanded
Staff Correspondent
The Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders and five US-based organisations have urged the caretaker government (CG) to take steps for immediate and unconditional release of Shahidul Islam, executive director of Satkhira-based NGO Uttaran. In a letter to Chief Adviser to Caretaker Government Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed, The Observatory- a joint programme of International Federation for Human Rights and World Organisation Against Torture- expressed deep concern and 'fears for his physical and psychological integrity'. Terming his detention arbitrary, the organisation also called for an investigation into allegations of torture on him and punish those responsible for the torture. The joint forces arrested Shahidul, who has been working for the rights of the landless people in the area, from Tala upazila on January 27 and handed him to police in the afternoon. He was sent to jail a day later with one-month detention. Meanwhile, ActionAid International USA, Centre for International Environmental Law, International Rivers Network, Bank Information Centre and International Accountability Project have sent separate letters to Asian Development Bank President Haruhiko Kuroda and Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States Shamsher M Chowdhury, asking them for taking necessary steps from their parts for immediate and unconditional release of Shahidul. The organisations also demanded an end to harassment on Shahidul and punishment for those involved in torturing.
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