Dear friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received updated information that the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) has started an investigation into the torture case of Mr. Muzibur Rahman and Mr. Waheduzzaman, who were arbitrarily arrested, detained and tortured by the army in Khulna district (For original urgent appeals, see: UP-033-2007; UP-019-2007; UP-015-2007; UP-011-2007; UA-367-2006; UP-232-2006). However, the previous report of inquiry conducted by the National Security Intelligence (NSI) has not yet been released, nor there is any action against the alleged perpetrators. The AHRC is again urging the Bangladesh government to release the investigation reports and prosecute the alleged perpetrators based on its foundlings without further delay.
UPDATED INFORMATION:
On 30 March 2007, an officer from the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) of the Bangladesh Government, whose name was not disclosed, started another investigation regarding the brutal torture of two businessmen of the Paikgachha upazilla (sub district) under the Khulna district. At around 2:30 pm, the investigator arrived in the Paikgachha town. He stayed there for one night and spoke to the persons related to the torture case of Mr. Muzibur Rahman and Mr. Waheduzzaman, including the victims themselves, witnesses, the concerned police officers, lawyers of the victims, medical clinicians who examined the victims, elected local government leaders and persons assisted the Army to arrest and torture the two businessmen.
At around 4:00 pm on 31 March, the investigator left the upazilla town with sufficient evidence and statements proving the torture of the victims. It might be noted that the investigator referred to the Urgent Appeals of the AHRC while verifying the torture committed by the Army personnel in Paikgachha.
However, the victims are confused about the role of the government, as the previous investigation report has not yet been released, and none of the alleged perpetrators have been prosecuted so far. A team of the National Security Intelligence (NSI) agency also inquired the same case a few weeks before. The victim and concerned local people are demanding the release of both reports, and waiting to see the government’s action against the alleged perpetrators.
SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please write to the relevant Bangladesh authorities listed below and urge them to release the investigation reports of the NSI and DGFI and prosecute the alleged perpetrators without further delay.
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear __________,
BANGLADESH: Alleged perpetrators are at large while another Intelligence wing investigates the torture of two businessmen
Name of the victims:
1. Mr. Muzibur Rahman, aged 40, a businessman, son of Mr. Munsop Sana, living in a house at the Court Road in the Paikgachha town under the Paikgachha police station in Khulna
2. Mr. Waheduzzaman, aged 36, a businessman, son of Mr. Nazmul Morol, living in Manot village under the Paikgachha police station in Khulna district
Alleged perpetrators:
1. Mr. Mizanur Rahman, Major of the Bangladesh Army deployed as the Commander of the team at Paikgachha of the Khulna district
2. Mr. Tajul Islam, Warrant Officer of the Bangladesh Army deployed as the Commander of the team at Paikgachha of the Khulna district
3. Personnel of the Bangladesh Army deployed as the Commander of the team at Paikgachha of the Khulna district
4. Mr. Shafikul Islam, former tenant of the victim, who has a land dispute with Mr. Muzibur Rahman (the victim No. 1)
Date of the incident: allegedly tortured on 2 November 2006; a DGFI investigator conducted an inquiry on 30-31 March 2007
While I am pleased to learn that that the Government of Bangladesh has assigned its Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI) agency to investigate the torture case of Mr. Muzibur Rahman and Mr. Waheduzzaman on 30 and 31March 2007, I am concerned that none of the alleged perpetrators have been prosecuted so far.
I am aware that a team of the National Security Intelligence (NSI) agency also inquired the same case a few weeks before but its investigation report has not been released. The sincerity of the Government of Bangladesh’s sincerity to take action against the alleged perpetrators is questionable.
I expect that the investigation to be open and impartial, and hope that the investigation report of the NSI and the DGFI will be released to the public as soon as possible. I also urge you to ensure that the alleged perpetrators are prosecuted without further delay. Strong disciplinary actions should also be taken against those responsible. Please also take actions to ensure that adequate medical treatment is provided to the victims, who sustained serious injuries due to alleged torture.
I look forward to your urgent and effective intervention in this matter.
Yours sincerely,
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PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:
1. Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed
Chief Adviser
Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh
Office of the Chief Advisor
Tejgaon, Dhaka
BANGLADESH
Tel: +88 02 8828160-79, 9888677
Fax: +88 02 8113244 or 3243 or 1015 or 1490
2. Mr. Mohammad Ruhul Amin
Chief Justice
Supreme Court of Bangladesh
Supreme Court Building
Ramna, Dhaka-1000
BANGLADESH
Tel: +88-02-9562792
Fax: +88-02-9565058
3. Barrister Moinul Hossain
Adviser
Ministry of Law, Justice & Parliamentary Affairs
Bangladesh Secretariat
Dhaka-1000
BANGLADESH
Tel: +88-02-7160627 (O)
Fax: +88-02-7168557 (O)
4. Mr. Fida M Kamal
Attorney General of Bangladesh
Office of the Attorney General
Supreme Court Building
Ramna, Dhaka-1000
BANGLADESH
Tel: +88-02-9562868
Fax: +88-02-9561568
5. Lt. General Moeen U Ahmed
Chief of Army Staff
Bangladesh Army
Army Headquarters
Dhaka Cantonment
Dhaka
BANGLADESH
Tel: +880 2 9870011
Fax: +880 2 8754455
6. Mr. Nur Mohammad
Inspector General of Police (IGP)
Bangladesh Police
Police Headquarters’
Fulbaria, Dhaka-1000
BANGLADESH
Tel: +88-02-9562054 or 7176451 or 7176677
Fax: +88-02-9563362 or 9563363
7. Professor Manfred Nowak
Special Rapporteur on the Question of Torture
Attn: Mr. Safir Syed
C/o OHCHR-UNOG
1211 Geneva 10
SWITZERLAND
Tel: +41 22 917 9230
Fax: +41 22 9179016 (ATTENTION: SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR TORTURE)
8. Ms. Leila Zerrougui
Working Group on arbitrary detention
OHCHR-UNOG
1211 Geneva 10
SWITZERLAND
Fax: +41 22 917 9006 (ATTENTION: WORKING GROUP ARBITRARY DETENTION)
Thank you.
Urgent Appeal Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (ahrchk@ahrchk.org)
