Dear friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) wishes to forward an appeal from Front Line regarding the deadly attack on human rights defender FMA Razzak and gouging his eyes and seriously fracturing his hand and leg by the family of an army major of Bangladesh.
The appeal is available at: http://www.frontlinedefenders.org/node/15038 .
For more information, please contact in the details below:
Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Desk
Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC)
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Bangladesh: Human rights defender, Mr FMA Razzak, in a critical condition in hospital following abduction and brutal attack
On 29 April 2011 human rights defender and journalist Mr FMA Razzak was abducted and brutally attacked in Paikgachha, Bangladesh. He remains in a critical condition in hospital in Dhaka following a severe beating and torture. FMA Razzak is the President of the Human Rights Development Centre (HRDC) and editor of the Gonomichhil fortnightly newspaper. The HRDC is based in Paikgachha upazilla (sub-district) under Khulna district. Within his role as President of the HRDC, FMA Razzak works with victims of custodial torture, many of whom are facing fabricated charges brought by the law-enforcement officers who tortured them. Front Line issued an urgent appeal on 7 March 2011 in relation to a series of reported threats, intimidation and attacks against FMA Razzak.
Further Information
On 29 April 2011, at approximately 10.30pm, FMA Razzak was abducted from the Dhaka-bound bus terminal of Paikgachha along with his brother RM Bodiuzzama Bodiar and brother-in-law Mr Bakkar. It is reported that a group of around 20 men, armed with sticks, rods and sharp weapons and led by the brother of a Bangladesh Army Major, approached the three men and attacked them.
The attackers pushed FMA Razzak’s eyes with their fingers and with rods until they bled. They also pressed his testicles and beat him fracturing his hands and legs. The three men were then loaded into the back of a vehicle. Mr Bakkar was thrown from the vehicle and the two brothers were taken to a field adjacent to the Army Major’s house. It is reported that the torture of the men continued there at the hands of up to thirty people. Screwdrivers were pressed into the eyes of FMA Razzak and he was beaten until he lost consciousness. The torturers reportedly suggested handing him over to the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) instead of the police so that they could claim that he had been killed in crossfire. However, members of FMA Razzak’s family led the police to the scene of the beatings.
Upon their arrival, the police and eyewitnesses found FMA Razzak unconscious and the perpetrators continuing to beat his brother. The police made no arrests but brought the victims to the local public hospital in Paikgachha where FMA Razzak was initially proclaimed dead. Following a re-examination he was found to be alive and was then transferred to the Khulna Medical College Hospital (KMCH). When the ambulance arrived at KMCH the doctors said that they could not treat him, reportedly due to pressure put on them by the Army Major and his colleagues. Another ambulance then took him to the larger Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH).
FMA Razzak is currently in a private hospital where he remains in a critical condition. On 2 May he underwent an operation on the three major fractures on his leg. However, it is reported that as of yet he cannot see properly and it is feared that he may not be receiving the specialised medical treatment that he requires.
The family of the aforementioned Army Major have been involved in a disagreement with FMA Razzak’s family relating to an illegitimate land ownership claim. Whilst it is clear that there is a personal dispute between the two families, and despite a legal decision in favour of FMA Razzak’s family, it has been reported that threats include that FMA Razzak will be killed in “crossfire”, and family members have reported being harassed by members of the police.
Previously in 2004 the local police misdirected the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) of the Khulna region to arrest FMA Razzak on falsified criminal accusations. National and international human rights organisations lobbied against the arrest and following investigations into the complaint by senior members of the RAB, FMA Razzak was found to be innocent and subsequently released without charge. In November 2008, he was falsely accused in an abduction case and was again detained without an arrest warrant and reportedly ill-treated in detention, before again being released without charge.
The attacks on FMA Razzak and his family members seem to be directly related to his peaceful and legitimate work in defence of human rights, in particular his work with victims of custodial torture. Front Line is concerned for the physical and psychological integrity of FMA Razzak and his family members.
Bangladesh: Human rights defender, Mr FMA Razzak, in a critical condition in hospital following abduction and brutal attack
Please take action on behalf of human rights defender Mr FMA Razzak in Bangladesh.
Please copy the letter and forward it to the address provided.
Thank you for taking action on behalf of human rights defender Mr FMA Razzak in Bangladesh.
Target addresses:
President Mr Zillur RAHMAN
Office of the President
Bangabhaban
Dhaka 1000
Bangladesh
Letter:
Your Excellency,
On 29 April 2011 human rights defender and journalist Mr FMA Razzak was abducted and brutally attacked in Paikgachha, Bangladesh. He remains in a critical condition in hospital in Dhaka following a severe beating and torture. FMA Razzak is the President of the Human Rights Development Centre (HRDC) and editor of the Gonomichhil fortnightly newspaper.
The HRDC is based in Paikgachha upazilla (sub-district) under Khulna district. Within his role as President of the HRDC, FMA Razzak works with victims of custodial torture, many of whom are facing fabricated charges brought by the law-enforcement officers who tortured them. Front Line issued an urgent appeal on 7 March 2011 in relation to a series of reported threats, intimidation and attacks against FMA Razzak.
On 29 April 2011, at approximately 10.30pm, FMA Razzak was abducted from the Dhaka-bound bus terminal of Paikgachha along with his brother RM Bodiuzzama Bodiar and brother-in-law Mr Bakkar. It is reported that a group of around 20 men, armed with sticks, rods and sharp weapons and led by the brother of a Bangladesh Army Major, approached the three men and attacked them. The attackers pushed FMA Razzak’s eyes with their fingers and with rods until they bled. They also pressed his testicles and beat him fracturing his hands and legs. The three men were then loaded into the back of a vehicle. Mr Bakkar was thrown from the vehicle and the two brothers were taken to a field adjacent to the Army Major’s house.
It is reported that the torture of the men continued there at the hands of up to thirty people. Screwdrivers were pressed into the eyes of FMA Razzak and he was beaten until he lost consciousness. The torturers reportedly suggested handing him over to the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) instead of the police so that they could claim that he had been killed in crossfire. However, members of FMA Razzak’s family led the police to the scene of the beatings. Upon their arrival, the police and eyewitnesses found FMA Razzak unconscious and the perpetrators continuing to beat his brother.
The police made no arrests but brought the victims to the local public hospital in Paikgachha where FMA Razzak was initially proclaimed dead. Following a re-examination he was found to be alive and was then transferred to the Khulna Medical College Hospital (KMCH). When the ambulance arrived at KMCH the doctors said that they could not treat him, reportedly due to pressure put on them by the Army Major and his colleagues. Another ambulance then took him to the larger Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH).
FMA Razzak is currently in a private hospital where he remains in a critical condition. On 2 May he underwent an operation on the three major fractures on his leg. However, it is reported that as of yet he cannot see properly and it is feared that he may not be receiving the specialised medical treatment that he requires.
The family of the aforementioned Army Major have been involved in a disagreement with FMA Razzak’s family relating to an illegitimate land ownership claim. Whilst it is clear that there is a personal dispute between the two families, and despite a legal decision in favour of FMA Razzak’s family, it has been reported that threats include that FMA Razzak will be killed in “crossfire”, and family members have reported being harassed by members of the police.
Previously in 2004 the local police misdirected the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) of the Khulna region to arrest FMA Razzak on falsified criminal accusations. National and international human rights organisations lobbied against the arrest and following investigations into the complaint by senior members of the RAB, FMA Razzak was found to be innocent and subsequently released without charge. In November 2008, he was falsely accused in an abduction case and was again detained without an arrest warrant and reportedly ill-treated in detention, before again being released without charge.
The attacks on FMA Razzak and his family members seem to be directly related to his peaceful and legitimate work in defence of human rights, in particular his work with victims of custodial torture. I am concerned for the physical and psychological integrity of FMA Razzak and his family members.
I urge the authorities in Bangladesh to:
1. Carry out an immediate, thorough and impartial investigation into the assault of FMA Razzak and members of his family with a view to publishing the results and bringing those responsible to justice in accordance with international standards;
2. Ensure that FMA Razzak has immediate access to full and adequate medical treatment;
3. Immediately take all necessary measures to ensure that the security and physical and psychological integrity of FMA Razzak and his family are effectively guaranteed;
4. Guarantee in all circumstances that human rights defenders in Bangladesh are able to carry out their legitimate and peaceful human rights activities without fear of reprisals and free of all restrictions, including judicial harassment.
Yours sincerely,
BANGLADESH: Human rights defender, Mr FMA Razzak, in a critical condition in hospital following abduction and brutal attack
Mrs. Sheikh Hasina
Prime Minister
Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh
Office of the Prime Minister
Tejgaon, Dhaka
BANGLADESH
3 May 2011
Re: Human rights defender, Mr FMA Razzak, in a critical condition in hospital following abduction and brutal attack
Dear Prime Minister,
On 29 April 2011 human rights defender and journalist Mr FMA Razzak was abducted and brutally attacked in Paikgachha, Bangladesh. He remains in a critical condition in hospital in Dhaka following a severe beating and torture. FMA Razzak is the President of the Human Rights Development Centre (HRDC) and editor of the Gonomichhil fortnightly newspaper. The HRDC is based in Paikgachha upazilla (sub-district) under Khulna district. Within his role as President of the HRDC, FMA Razzak works with victims of custodial torture, many of whom are facing fabricated charges brought by the law-enforcement officers who tortured them. Front Line issued an urgent appeal on 7 March 2011 in relation to a series of reported threats, intimidation and attacks against FMA Razzak.
On 29 April 2011, at approximately 10.30pm, FMA Razzak was abducted from the Dhaka-bound bus terminal of Paikgachha along with his brother FM Bodiuzzama Bodiar and brother-in-law Mr Bakkar. It is reported that a group of around 20 men, armed with sticks, rods and sharpweapons and led by the brother of a Bangladesh Army Major, approached the three men and attacked them. The attackers pushed FMA Razzak’s eyes with their fingers and with rods until they fled. They also pressed his testicles and beat him fracturing his hands and legs. The three men were then loaded into the back of a vehicle. Mr Bakkar was thrown from the vehicle and the two brothers were taken to a field adjacent to the Army Major’s house. It is reported that the torture of the men continued there at the hands of up to thirty people.
Screwdrivers were pressed into the eyes of FMA Razzak and he was beaten until he lost consciousness. The torturers reportedly suggested handing him over to the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) instead of the police so that they could claim that he had been killed in crossfire. However, members of FMA Razzak’s family led the police to the scene of the beatings. Upon their arrival, the police and eyewitnesses found FMA Razzak unconscious and the perpetrators continuing to beat his brother. The police made no arrests but brought the victims to the local public hospital in Paikgachha where FMA Razzak was initially proclaimed dead. Following a re-examination he was found to be alive and was then transferred to the Khulna Medical College Hospital (KMCH). When the ambulance arrived at KMCH the doctors said that they could not treat him, reportedly due to pressure put on them by the Army Major and his colleagues. Another ambulance then took him to the larger Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH).
FMA Razzak is currently in a private hospital where he remains in a critical condition. On 2 May he underwent an operation on the three major fractures on his leg. However, it is reported that as of yet he cannot see properly and it is feared that he may not be receiving the specialised medical treatment that he requires.
The family of the aforementioned Army Major has been involved in a disagreement with FMA Razzak’s family relating to an illegitimate land ownership claim. Whilst it is clear that there is a personal dispute between the two families, and despite a legal decision in favour of FMA Razzak’s family, it has been reported that threats include that FMA Razzak will be killed in “crossfire”, and family members have reported being harassed by members of the police. Previously in 2004 the local police misdirected the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) of the Khulna region to arrest FMA Razzak on falsified criminal accusations. National and international human rights organizations lobbied against the arrest and following investigations into the complaint by senior members of the RAB, FMA Razzak was found to be innocent and subsequently released without charge. In November 2008, he was falsely accused in an abduction case and was again detained without an arrest warrant and reportedly ill-treated in detention, before again being released without charge.
The attacks on FMA Razzak and his family members seem to be directly related to his peaceful and legitimate work in defence of human rights, in particular his work with victims of custodial torture. Front Line is concerned for the physical and psychological integrity of FMA Razzak and his family members.
Front Line urges the authorities in Bangladesh to:
1. Carry out an immediate, thorough and impartial investigation into the assault of FMA Razzak and members of his family with a view to publishing the results and bringing those responsible to justice in accordance with international standards;
2. Ensure that FMA Razzak has immediate access to full and adequate medical treatment;
3. Immediately take all necessary measures to ensure that the security and physical and psychological integrity of FMA Razzak and his family are effectively guaranteed;
4. Guarantee in all circumstances that human rights defenders in Bangladesh are able to carry out their legitimate and peaceful human rights activities without fear of reprisals and free of all restrictions, including judicial harassment.
Front Line respectfully reminds you that the United Nations Declaration on the Right and Responsibility of Individuals, Groups and Organs of Society to Promote and Protect Universally Recognized Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, adopted by consensus by the UN General Assembly on 9 December 1998, recognises the legitimacy of the activities of human rights defenders, their right to freedom of association and to carry out their activities without fear of reprisals. We would particularly draw your attention to Article 12 (2) and (3): “(2)The State shall take all necessary measures to ensure the protection by the competent authorities of everyone, individually and in association with others, 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 the rights referred to in the present Declaration. (3). In this connection, everyone is entitled, individually and in association with others, to be protected effectively under national law in reacting against or opposing, through peaceful means, activities and acts, including those by omission, attributable to States that result in violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms, as well as acts of violence perpetrated by groups or individuals that affect the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms”.
Yours sincerely,
Mary Lawlor
Director
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Thank you.
Urgent Appeals Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (ua@ahrc.asia)
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