(Hong Kong, May 6, 2011) The local citizens of Paikgachha have formed a committee today naming it “Committee to Fight for Justice and Protection of Human Rights Defender and Journalist Razzak”. Freedom-fighters Mr. Mohammad Shahjahan Sharder, who is also the vice president of Bangladesh Awami League of the Godaipur union unit, and Mr. Kawsar Ali Morol, president of the Jatiya Party local unit have been made co-convenors with union council member Anowar Hossain Anu, school teacher Nur Ali Sharder and Sohrab Sharder in the committee. Mr. Abu Bakkar Sana has been made Member Secretary and Journalist Alauddin Raza the Joint Member Secretary. Businessmen Ziauddin Nayeb, Azizul Karim Khokon, Azibor Gazi, Nur Islam Gazi and Muzibur Rahman Sana have been made members of the same committee.
The Muslim citizens of Paikgachha arranged special prayer after the Friday midday prayer. According to the local sources, the special prayer was offered at several mosques of Paikgachha upazilla, including at the Paikgachha Central Ja’m-e- mosque, Chandkhali Ja’m-e-mosque, Godaipur mosque, Kashimnagar mosque, Agorghata Ja’m-e-mosque, Shyamnagar mosque, Sarol Baitus Salam Ja’m-e-mosque, Deara mosque, Delduar mosque, Protapkathi Ja’m-e-mosque and Kazi Musa Ja’m-e-mosque. The Muslim devotees prayed to the Almighty Allah for life of FMA Razzak and safety of his family members. They also sought divine justice from the Almighty for the deadly attack on human rights defender FMA Razzak. In a total failure of administration and law enforcing agencies of the State, the frustrated people seem to have resorted to the last option, which is their religion.
Muslims are offerring special prayer seeking Almighty’s protection and recovery of FMA Razzak from the injuries (AHRC Photo)
The authorities of Bangladesh have not yet arrested the perpetrators for gouging the eyes of human rights defender FMA Razzak. Instead, the main perpetrators repeatedly threatened the relatives and local citizens, who have participated in protest rallies demanding protection and justice for FMA Razzak. They have also threatened to “peel off the skin of Razzak”. The main perpetrator and mastermind of the brutal attack Major Mustafizur Rahaman Bokul is still serving the Bangladesh army. Around 25 perpetrators including Fazar Behara, Shahidul Behara and mother of Major Mustafizur Rahman Bokul along with the female members of the attackers held a rally in front of the Paiagachha police station with the help of the police officers. The perpetrators also held discussion with the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of the local police station, Enamul Haque. The OC, Enamul Haque, who was complicit in the barbaric attack, has been boastfully and publicly claiming that nothing will happen to him as he is a close relative of Mr. Tofael Ahmed, a former minister, Member of Parliament and the ruling political party leader.
The Asian Human Rights Commission has launched an online campaign demanding protection, treatment and justice for FMA Razzak. The AHRC has urged all human rights organisations, professional bodies and governmental authorities concerned to intervene immediately into this matter and participate in the campaign.
For further details, please visit: http://www.humanrights.asia/campaigns/attack-on-fma-razzak.
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About AHRC: The Asian Human Rights Commission is a regional non-governmental organisation that monitors human rights in Asia, documents violations and advocates for justice and institutional reform to ensure the protection and promotion of these rights. The Hong Kong-based group was founded in 1984.
