BANGLADESH: Brutal torture of two young men by the Boalia police in Rajsahi 

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has been informed of the brutal torture of Azizur Rahman Shohel and his younger brother Atiquer Rahman Jewel by the Boalia police in Rajsahi District, Bangladesh on 27 July 2005. The victims were not only beaten with batons but were also given electric shocks. The police also reportedly asked for money from the victims’ family.

Moreover, the Boalia police made false charges against Shohel and Jewel to cover up their illegal act after the torture incident was highlighted in the media. Due to severity of their condition, the two victims are now being treated at the Rajsahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) under police custody.

Such brutal torture and police corruption is not uncommon in Bangladesh. However, its continuation indicates that the Bangladesh government as well as the police department is not committed to preventing police atrocities and promoting human rights.

Your urgent action is thus needed to pressure the Bangladesh government to conduct an immediate investigation into this case and to take effective steps to stop further torture and corruption by the police.

Urgent Appeals Desk
Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC)
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DETAILED INFORMATION:

Name of the victims:
1. Azizur Rahman Shohel, final year student of the mathematics department at the Rajsahi College
2. Atiquer Rahman Jewel, second year student of the history department at the Rajsahi College
* ‘They are the sons of Abdur Rashid and reside in Puratan Bilsimla area, Boalia Police Station, Rajsahi, Bangladesh
Alleged perpetrators:
1. Sub Inspector (SI) Hafizur of the Boalia Police Station
2. Sub Inspector (SI) Netai
3. Other police constables
Date of incident: Arrested and severely tortured on 27 July 2005 and are at Rajsahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) under police custody up to now
Place of incident: Boalia Police Station

Case details:

Abdur Rahman runs a private student dormitory in Rajsahi District and two students named Rashid and Rubel rented one room in this dormitory. On 27 July 2005, Abdur Rahman’s two sons, Azizur Rahman Shohel and Atiquer Rahman Jewel had a minor clash with Rashid and Rubel, who then complained against the brothers at the Boalia Police Station. When the police came to investigate the incident, they had an argument with the two brothers and took them to the police station. Before leaving however, the police demanded money from their family, which was not given. This was about 9:00pm on July 27.

At the Boalia Police Station, after blindfolding Shohel and Jewel, the police allegedly assaulted the brothers with batons and kicked and punched them. In addition, the police also administered electric shocks to the victims.

The next morning (July 28), Shohel and Jewel were taken to the Rajsahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) for treatment, where were admitted as patients when their condition turned critical. They are still under treatment at the RMCH under police custody. Shohel and Jewel say that they were tortured by Sub Inspector (SI) Hafizur and Netai along with other several police constables. Higher police officials reportedly visited them but no action has yet been taken against the alleged perpetrators.

Although the police reportedly came to investigate the allegation made by Rashid and Rubel, they did not register any complaint against the victims when they arrested them. However, when the brutal torture was highlighted in the newspapers, the police allegedly fabricated charges against Shohel and Jewel of snatching away the policemen’s arms and brandishing sharp weapons.

The AHRC is deeply concerned by this serious torture against civilians by the Bangladesh police, particularly the routine use of electric shocks, which the police use to obtain confessions. In addition, the Bangladesh police is well known for its corruption; Transparency International (TI) had earlier identified Bangladesh as the world’s most corrupt country for four consecutive years, with its police being the most corrupt public institution.

SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please send a letter, fax or email to the persons listed below and express your concern about this serious case.