In typical fashion of every other dictatorship preceding them, the military regime of Bangladesh has decided to quell the pro democracy protests with force. Approximately 100 students were rounded up at Shahbag in Dhaka and beaten with sticks by army personnel. Another male student was pulled out of his home and his arms and legs broken by soldiers. These and other such incidents have been reported by BBC Bangla Radio and bdnews24.com.
Five academics were picked up last night for “interrogation” without charges. There whereabouts were unknown until later today in Bangladesh. Most likely they were taken to the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence’s (DGFI, the military intelligence wing) torture cells inside Dhaka Cantonment. Today they were charged with “illegal attacks and property damage”, even though they themselves did not participate in the protests. Some of them are members of the Dhaka University Teachers Association which had demanded the immediate lifting of the state of emergency and restoration of democracy, after protests had been ongoing for the second day. These individuals have been targeted primarily for their affiliation and/or support for the largest political party, the Awami League, which remains the biggest political threat to this regime.
Following is a statement today from Human Rights Watch, regarding the developing situation in Bangladesh:
HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH
Bangladesh: Abuses Grow in Crackdown on Protests
Students Angry After Eight Months of Emergency Rule
(New York, August 25, 2007) – The Bangladesh government must respect international human rights standards as it enforces a curfew and seeks to police demonstrations, Human Rights Watch said today.
Human Rights Watch reiterated that anyone detained under the emergency regulations must be charged with a cognizable criminal offense or released, and that anyone mistreated in detention should be able to seek and obtain an effective remedy before competent authorities.
The demonstrations currently taking place in Bangladesh come after eight months of repressive emergency rule, which has restricted the rights to protest and to seek a legal remedy, and fails to respect basic due process rights.
"What sparked these protests is the ongoing repression of emergency rule, and the government's heavy-handed response is like oil on a fire," said Sophie Richardson, Asia advocacy director at Human Rights Watch. "While the protesters should remain peaceful and must exercise restraint to prevent loss to life and property, the government should immediately address some of their legitimate concerns instead of arbitrarily arresting people, beating detainees and fueling anger."
The recent unrest was sparked by an incident on August 20, when soldiers beat up a student as he was allegedly obscuring their view at a soccer match. Furious students protested against the attack, and demanded the immediate removal of an army camp located on the Dhaka University campus. The protests soon spread and became violent, resulting in one death. The government imposed a curfew on August 22 and suspended cell phone services during curfew hours.
Since then, the armed forces have carried out several raids on the Dhaka campus and elsewhere, detaining academics and students, including four university teachers, presumably on the grounds of alleged involvement in the rioting.
Journalist associations in Bangladesh have alleged that law enforcement officers have harassed journalists during curfew hours. Several newspapers and television networks reported that security forces beat their journalists while they were gathering information on the demonstrations, and some journalists were detained and beaten in custody. The Daily Star newspaper, for example, said that on August 23 two policemen beat its reporter Kamrul Hasan Khan with sticks on the university campus. Police also beat reporters from the daily Samakal, from a private TV channel Baisakhi and from the online news portal http://www.bdnews24.com/, some of them after they were detained in police stations. Many of these journalists were attacked despite carrying press identification, which is supposed to serve as a curfew pass.
Several web news portals and blogs have reported that army personnel have detained and beaten journalists and students. Sanjeeb Hossain, describing the arrest of his father, Dr. M. Anwar Hossain, a professor at Dhaka University, said that soldiers took him away around midnight and refused to tell the family where he was being taken or when he would be returned.
"The authorities are trying to silence political protest through arbitrary arrests and restricting freedom of expression," said Richardson. "The government can take steps to make sure a protest is peaceful, but it must above all respect its human rights obligations when doing so."
Since the imposition of emergency rule, Bangladeshi armed forces have been responsible for abuses such as arbitrary detention, torture and deaths in custody. The emergency laws limit access to effective remedies, including the right to bail and the right to challenge the lawfulness of a detention.
The authorities have detained more than 250,000 people since the caretaker government took over in January 2007. Several political leaders are in custody including Awami League leader and former prime minister Sheikh Hasina Wazed. Another former prime minister, Begum Khaleda Zia, is under virtual house arrest.
The caretaker government was established in Bangladesh on January 11, 2007, and was largely welcomed by Bangladeshis and international actors seeking relief from widespread corruption, political tension and severe human rights abuses that had emerged in recent years. The promise to hold free and fair elections was applauded. However, the caretaker government has presided over serious human rights violations since taking office.
Some kinds of violations, such as torture and extrajudicial killings in the form of alleged "crossfire killings," were serious problems before the caretaker government came to power, and have continued under its administration. Other violations, which stem from emergency rules that undermine basic due process rights, or the large number of arbitrary arrests and detention without proper judicial oversight, are a direct result of the caretaker government's policies. While certain restrictions on some rights during properly declared states of national emergency are permitted under international law, it is far from clear that the measures under the government’s emergency law are limited to "the extent strictly required by the exigencies of the situation."
"This government claims to believe in democratic principles and the rule of law. Yet, its actions demonstrate an attempt to silence critics and limit democracy," said Richardson.
Related Material
Bangladesh: Protecting Rights as Vital as Ending Corruption Press Release, August 1, 2007
Bangladesh: Release Journalist and Rights Activist Press Release, May 11, 2007
Bangladesh: Elite Force Tortures, Kills Detainees Press Release, December 14, 2006
Judge, Jury, and Executioner: Torture and Extrajudicial Killings by Bangladesh’s Elite Security Force Report, December 14, 2006
Bangladesh Country Page
From: http://hrw.org/english/docs/2007/08/25/bangla16739.htm
© Copyright 2003, Human Rights Watch 350 Fifth Avenue, 34th Floor New York, NY 10118-3299 USA
Saturday, August 25, 2007
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In his second round of interview with Tasneem Khalil, M Sanjeeb Hossain, son of detained DU Professor Anwar Hossain, detailed what his father told him about the DGFI “black hole,” his torture and what happened in the court. Considering its significance, this pod was recorded both in English and Bangla. You can find it Here.
Joy bhy
i have all the respect for u but i am bound to tell u that u r quite immatured or living in a greamland.
why dont u come to u r country and see the things in u r own eyes.
u said some academics were arrested but i will say they r the literate criminals.i feel shame when see that some DU teachers r trying to bow down all other teachers head. how can a teacher said that "we will not go back untill students go back to class" whos responsibility it is to bring back students to class?
i feel really shame by seeing all these noncence .
u r reffering human rights watch...etc dont u see the cry of those poor people whos things/shops were destroyed by miscreants in the name of students protest? and what for a DU student will pick up sticks for protest.r they trying to prove them as a street boys.
and how funny u r telling all rubbish words in favour of them.
do u really love u r country? do u understand the meaning of democracy?
if not please come and learnt it here.
joy bhy i was expecting very valuable comments from u in any issue but u have started telling all bostapocha dialogue like u r mother. do u know who is the big enemy of u r mother? it is her toung.
so please dont follow her.
Joy.
follow u r grandfather but not u r mother.
do u know all incidents or u here from someone and then comment.
we expect meaningfull wording from u .
The reality is worse than the HRW article. We can’t say anything, we can’t speak out what we saw, Rajakar’s, their allies are called patriot and true freedom fighters are thrown to jail as reward. We can’t find one single example all around the world that a civil government can arrest former Prime Minister without any warrant. Same to the university teachers and you can assume the case of ordinary people. Sheikh Hasina Wazed have arrested without any cause. The intention is now very clear, is to make her politically dead. On the other hand Mrs. Zia can do tele-conference, want to do relief work even if the government can’t provide her security. But she can’t go to the court due to the lack of security. Isn’t that funny. Who provide her information that her security might hampered? Forget it. I hate to even talk about that nonsense. DMP commissioner has said few times ago that not more than 10,000 people have involved in 20-23th occurrence. Then what is the intention to file case against 82,050 people, nothing but harasses people of Bangladesh. What happened to Bangladesh wasn’t conspiracy, but now these are call conspiracy.
priyo joy,Bangladeshe ekhon jebhabe manobadhikar longhito hocche ta shunle pak hanadar borborota-ke shoron korie dae. jebhabe shikkhokder ghor theke ajana gontobber uddesshe nie jaoa holo ta ki albadar alshams bahinir poishachik karjokolapke mone korie daena. MUA ekhon shorojontrer gondho pacchen.kintu take sposhto kore bolte hobe kara shorojontro korechilo?manusher drishty onno dike shoranor jonno onnanno dictator ja kore uni tai korchen. 10000 students er biruddhe mamla keno? puro Bangladesher students ra ki dosh korlo?tara shobai to shotorsfurto bhabe ei army regime o bertho puppet sharkarer biruddhe shocchar hoechilo.shange chilo janata. ei sarkar er upor manusher khobher bohiprokash-i ei chatra janatar andolon.eto shesher shuru.shob dik theke bertho sharkar gestapo kaedae janagan ke daman korte chae. kintu itish boroi nirmon. tader purboshuri ayub,yahia, zia, ershad ja pareni tara ki kore ta parbe. tara je bujhe geche tader potoner shuru ta nishchito kore bola jae.shei din beshi dure noe.ottachar joto tibro hobe poton toto torannito hobe ei shena ashirbadpushto sharkarer....joy bangla....misha
Priyo joy plz visit www.salmantarik.blogspot.com......bhalo thakun. joy bangla..misha
Dear Joy vai
This military gov will be beaten by general people as you can see on last some of picture in our Dhaka University area. They are beating the general student who never attended the protest which is so pathetic and the govt interoogating the honourable teacher from Dhaka University by mentally and physically.
We have stand together again
.....Joy Bangla
MD Ashraful Islam (Sazib)
here's a thought: do you feel that your party is partly responsible for the current state of emergency and the imposition of the current government? i mean, if the january elections had been allowed to proceed, however flawed, wouldn't we still be in a better position today? there would have been disagreements, etc, but all of these could have been aired in an environment less volatile. of course, this is assuming the respective parties act according to their authority. don't you think your mom pushed it too far in this case?
i would like you consider what the situation would have been today, if we had allowed the elections to take place, even with a bnp win.
We want to see your performance in your exam results. So, concentrate your brain in your studies. We will fight for human rights.And organize a seminar at Harvard so that people can know what is happening in Bangladesh.
We want an ARMY in Bangladesh which will bring pride for us and we must say NO to Dictator like ZIA, ERSHAD and ......
It is really frustrating to see that the British HC in Bangladesh said that the protests on the street by the students were created by opportunists with the use of huge funds. I don't think that it is possible to use money to create such genuine anger among people and particularly under the noses of the army and the intelligence agencies, which are very sincere to grab the power for an indefinite period. They wouldn't have let that happen at any cost if it was planned.
Now the CTG is spreading the news that Hasina and Khaleda were behind the chaos and Hasina kept in touch with one of the professors, who were arrested, via her lawyers. I don't know about you guys, but I don't think that people will buy it. How lame this CTG could get? Now the CTG is groping in the dark to find fictitious causes to destroy the AL. I pray that God Almighty puts some senses in these morons heads.
Whatever the rest of the world may say this army propped-up pseudocaretakers are firmly backed by foreign powers.
The British high comissioner has become its latest spokesman justifying the crackdown on students and teacher at DU on behalf of Fakruddin and his Sylheti brother-in-law Ifthekar. This is ridiculous. Complete violation of the code of conduct in international diplomacy!
Internaional diplomacy has also gone awry. Diplomats too have rights to be as partisan as the junta put in place by them.
Are we going back to the Raj days?
It is dangerous to be right in matters on which the established authorities are wrong.
- Voltaire
I think this government forgot that the carpet they currently standing on, was laid down by AL. If AL pull the carpet what will happen to them. It’s time for them to realize that.
Security forces in Bangladesh and and human right never go along. This army killed Sheikh Mujib, they killed their own Zia and so many freedom fighter army officers.
Do not trust these betrayer and power grabbing forces.
There are people who believe who has the gun in hand is always right. These people are not leader they are follower. So do not listen to these people. You are in right track. This guy who is asking
"whos responsibility it is to bring back students to class?" my answer is no one bring you to class you will sit in the class when feel it is right to do so. This is not a elementary school but Dhaka university. These teachers tried to protect their students and teach them about thier right. Their right was constantly abused by those army men so they want to get rid of them. I do not see any wrong doing in this. This is an unconstitutional government they do not have any right to torture any of them or put them in jail.
If this army love ordinary people why dont they sell the essential items at the same price they are buying. If they want to get rid of corruptions why dont they arrest syed iskander?
blindwatch-maker,
I agree with you. Why would the UK embassy release statements regarding the outrage. Not only that they said "monetary exchange" was involved . When all businesses are destroyed where would the money come from?
Anwar Chowdhury is a relative of Mukul Chowdhury -sylhet Jamaat leader.
To anonymous ,
Had the January election occurred we would have been in a state of despair.
the RAJAKARS and BNP men would have killed millions of hindus and AL leaders by now.
The ARMY is bad. But the JAMAATIS and the BNP men are worse than devil who killed 26000 al workers during 2001--2006 and raped over 40000 hindus after 2001 elections.
The Bangalis are not like the Pakis . They would be fighting for their democracy like they always did.
Bangalis would never accept Jamaatis in power.
We often forget what is really good for the country. Honestly, our nation is so emotional that they can't understand a simple fact that it is not possible for Awami League or BNP party to punish their own Mafia Gangstar like Tareq, Mamun, Hazari, Shamim Osman, Pintu, Saka chow..so many. Do you honestly believe Hasina or Khaleda has the moral strength to punish those Corrupted Mafia or send them for long term jail. Just ask yourself. We are so blind to our beloved party that we don't care what is good for our nation. But we are all Hippocratic Drama actor/actress we have been fooling around our poor nation by saying just before the election that "Country come first before political party". Our country will be destroyed unless we are stopped by saying "My Party...My Party". Comon Joy you are now at Harvard University at least you could passionately feel for your country....I am not saying about your party...just say my country first then your party.
Bari
We don’t want to associate ourselves in any way with this opportunist bunch of SYLHOTEES!
We are proud Sylhetis – an integral part of Bengali culture and purely Bangladeshi in mind.
Fakruddin and many of his relatives in the lame-duck puppet government are a disgrace for Sylhetis. Fakruddin’s wife’s brother Ifthekar, Enam and Farukh Choudhury are all opportunists and sycophants. Geeti Ara too! It is humiliating for us to see that they all have betrayed their promotees and mentors shamelessly just for the sake of power. Both Hasina and Khaleda have been ditched by these traitors. When time comes they will flee to their foreign destinations where they have amassed millions through the courtesy of their foreign masters whom they are obliging now.
Ifthekar was always an opportunist. His greatest buddy in town is now Anwar Choudhury, also having roots in Sylhet.
This notorious family is now selling off our national interests to the US, UK and donor agencies.
SHAME! SHAME!
Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not his own facts.
- Daniel Patrick Moynihan
Blind-Watchmaker, who was not powered by foreign forces? It is widely known that BAL is heavily backed by India. There is no other party in BD which is so much strongly powered by any foreign country.
This is sad that the British high commissioner in BD supports the human rights violations.
Dear Ashraful
Staying in UK you can utter such thought less words.. like the infemous Abdul Gaffer Chy ... The omnipotent ...
man sleeps in UK and seeing everything happenning in Bd. And out teachers of DU are more mortal than u think them to be. Thay are not above law. Let the Govt find out and lets also see if we (ppl staying in bd)get tired of the CTG and the Army. We like them better than the political parties who raped us over the last decades in name of democracy.
Dear Joy,
Dont follow your mom. We expect more responsible behaviour from you. If democracy means tolarence, than I havent seen you praising any task done by the CTG. How do u define that?
dear friends
take a look on this site ::
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/save_bangladesh
& if you wish please sighn it & pass it to as many people as you can please.
The DU teachers were arrested because Jamaatis believe that seeking education by anyone except the NAJAYAZ JAAMAATI SPAWNS itself is anti ahariyat.
Watch your tongue rajakari offsprings. Abdul gaffar chowdhury was a valiant freedom fighter of 71.
People are already tired of the JAMAAT backed CTG and politicized ARMY.
thousands die becuase of starvation every month. all businesses are destroyed . all eductional institutions except the ones run by JAMAATIS like NSU have been closed down. Everything is just over.
Political parties raped us???
Bnp and Jamaatis raped over 40 000 hindu women during 2001--2006 and plundered billions through syndicates. Nizami ,muzahid and syedi are safe despite murdering and lotting during the Dark era.
Rajakarer baccha ...ei boarde o trolling.
Others ,this is mainul hossain attending a SHIBIT PRESS CONF with the rajakars
http://www.nybangla.com/
The title is " Eta ki jatiyo shorkar na jamaati shorkar"
I simply cant believe that Rajakar Spawns like bari and maverick even have the audacity to troll this board.
On one hand people in Bangaldesh are dying of starvation . On the other hand rajakar offsprings are posting crap satying in foreign lands with lotted money.
Jamaati godfathers like syedi and muzahid are safe!!!!!!
Faku ---we are well aware of your conspiracies . All conspiracies would be met with brutal force
see freedom fighter Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury's speech here
http://www.nybangla.com/
I found this very interesting:
http://www.ittefaq.com/get.php?d=07/09/05/w/n_zmyzyx
So what's next? Try to arrest people in the US, deport them and the prosecute. With each passing day, the new dictator of BD is digging himself a deeper grave. Jeez!!! when will we get our democracy? I'm pro anti-corruption but not under emergency powers..
If Mr. Joy has any way to send a message to Mr. Zillur and other leaders, it is one message he should send is that get in the bandwagon of election now and follow Amu's direction as what we see in Bangladesh is that there are no scope for any political movement where mass participation will take place. Instead of the streets, perhaps it is time to use a different method. Under current circumstances, it is stupid to wage any movement in the country. Get Zillur and the rest to side with the reformist leaders of AL, organiz it, keep it united and find some good talented leaders who can win election and then govern the country like a true patriot and statesman. There will be another day to Have Sheikh Hasina free from jail, but it does not lool like it is going to happen now unless there is some devine intervention. A political party and its leadership like AL must exert pragmatic and realistic goal at the current juncture of the nation rather than spearhead any emotionally laden activities that would further asunder its chances of having any clout in the new political paradigm that is now being sowed. Amu is definitely right and Mr. Joy should now promote that concept to the rest of the AL. Perhaps better days are ahead of the nation if that happens. Being realistic in difficult times is what will save AL from breaking apart and then lose even more of its political power.
BTW everyone ,
as you have heard by now
the warcrminal group Jamaatis are now preaching a new theme in order to mask their CTG affiliation ----"The CTG is trying to bring another BNP fraction to power ".
an acquaintance who has jamaati affiliation came all the way to my house yesterday to preach this!!!!He doesnt know though that i am aware of his mingling with the Rajakars
How low do these Jamaatis really stoop ? How foolish do these Rajakars think we really are?
even a 5 year old undertstands the real motive of the RAJAKAR backed CTG to bring Jamaatis permanently in power.
Skeptics :-visit www.nybangla.com
scroll down to the bottom of the page to see the video footage where Mainul Hossain was attending a Shibir Conference alongside other rajakars like nizami,muzahid and syedi
bd 21 Hasina and MIG 29
BD21 SHEIKH HASINA AND MI 29
Hasina to go on trial in warplane purchase case
Star Online Report
The High Court today turned down the petitions for quashing a case against Awami League President and former prime minister Sheikh Hasina in which she is alleged to have benefited from buying MiG-29 warplanes during her tenure in office.
The court decision came as the government moved to activate the case which had been mothballed for years following another High Court order.
The first information report (FIR) said the government incurred a loss of Tk 700 crore in the purchase.
US STATE DEPARTMENT
DEFENSE
. The Bangladesh Air Force is acquiring four U.S. C-130 B transport aircraft. These aircraft will improve the military's disaster response and peacekeeping capabilities. The Air Force also has recently procured eight MiG 29 fighters from Russia for $124 million.
http://www.state.gov/outofdate/bgn/b/12162.htm
124 MILLION =12.4 CROR US DILLAR*58 (98 AR EXCHANGE RATE APPROX)=7192000000 TAKA
SEIKH HASINA BOUFHT 8 MIG29 FOR 124
That means Each mig 29 has purchased only=15.5 milli
The price difference is not that severe. The MiG-29 sells for anywhere between US$20-$27 million, depending upon the terms of the package deal, amount in barter versus hard currency, weapons/avionics suite, etc.
http://aeroweb.lucia.it/rap/RAFAQ/29vs27.html
So how much sheik hasina have saved for our country more than 40 million
Total cost for MIG 29 was 7192000000 and HASINA gains 7000000000/
so 8 mig 29 cost is 192000000/taka what a achivement for Hasina
kochi sydney
mehadi1012002@yahoo.com
The situation of Bangladesh is the fruit of our own ‘Karma’. Human right is about humanity. If millions of people are killed indirectly by economic oppression is more than killing few leaders who could not prevent crime, and who were manipulating people in the past. People should raise their voice against any kind of injustice. It could be from a small incident to big incidents. Ethics and morality has become history now. The nation's character has changed. I grew up seeing pictures of great leaders, philosophers during late 70 and early 80's. But, this time is over. New generation is growing up watching TV. Those who are breaking human rights are one of us. Those who did corruption in past are one of us. Those who are thinking to go to power and oppress the nation again are one of us. Then, whom are we accusing for?
Are we complaining against each other? Are we complaining against another human being in this country. They are one of us. Why we need to share our personal issue with other countries.Can't we resolve the issue by ourselves. If anyone becomes leader from the background of past student leader is ok, if anyone becomes leader from army background is also ok, if anyone was daughter of an ex-prime minister is ok, if anyone become prime leader from housewife also ok. My point is leader needs to have all the qualities of leader. They can come from anywhere. Human brain has enormous capacity and people can be wise without formal education.
I believe the main problem of Bangladesh is we are losing our morality, ethics by not hating the people who are striving for power and money unfairly. When I see my next door neighbor is driving a nice car, he/she has nice big house, why I have to feel low in front of that person if I know he/she has made from corruption. Why can’t we hate the “Ghoshkhur” people like before . Have we changed?
If we change our view, if we learn how to hate and reject dishonest people then the corruption among our leaders will decrease.
I think as a nation our character also has changed. I do not see any substitute of regaining moral and ethical value to re-built Bangladesh.
Farzana. Australia
PRESS RELEASE
BRITISH HOME SECRETARY ASKED TO DETAIN AND
DEPORT JAMAAT CHIEF NIZAMI
A group of Barristers and community activists today (12.11.2007) sent a notice to British Home Secretary Rt. Hon. Jacqui Smith to cancel Mr. Nizami’s UK visa, detain and remove him from United Kingdom, because his presence in UK was not conducive to public good, for his alleged promotion of terrorism, involvement in killings and for his active participation in “propagating, instigating, planning and supervising crimes that resulted in killings of millions of unarmed civilians in 1971 in Bangladesh.”
Mr. Nizami is currently visiting UK. The petitioners referred to Mr. Nizami’s alleged involvement as President of Islami Chattra Shangha and head of notorious Para-military organization, the Al-Badar, in Crime of Genocide, Crimes Against Humanity, War Crimes and other international crimes during Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971.
The notice also referred to cases filed against Mr. Nizami regarding his alleged involvement in August 21. 2004 grenade attacks on Awami League rally, his attempt to divert attention to potential threats of Islamic terrorists in Bangladesh by characterizing such reports on terrorists as “media’s creation” and killing of Worker Party activist on October 28, 2006.
Referring specific provisions of law, the notice pointed out failures of the British government to take into account, while issuing visa, facts that Mr. Nizami has been charged in Bangladesh with a criminal offence, his involvement or suspected involvement in war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide, alleged support or encouragements of terrorist activities, for expressing views shielding terrorist activities.
The petitioners reminded the Home Secretary of UK Government policy to detain or deport a suspected War Criminal to ensure public safety. It mentioned that Mr. Nizami’s presence in UK “is a danger to public” and his visa is revoked forthwith and he is detained for public safety. The petitioners further mentioned that Mr. Nizami could be prosecuted under Geneva Convention and or under the UK’s relevant War Crimes Act.
The notice was signed, amongst others, by Barrister Chowdhury Hafizur Rahman, Barrister Showgatul Anwar Khan, Barrister M. Mazedul Islam, Barrister Rafiqul Islam Milton, Barrister Abul Kalam Chowdhury and Journalist Mr. Prashanto B. Barua.
London, November 12, 2007
URGENT
RE: WAR CRIMINAL - MOTIUR RAHMAN NIZAMI
1. We, the Bangladeshi lawyers and community leaders in the United Kingdom are asking you to cancel visa given to Nizami, the Chief of Jamaat-i-Islam Bangladesh and a noted international criminal having committed crime of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and other international crimes in 1971 in Bangladesh.
2. Nizami was the Chief of Islami Chattra Shangha (ICS) and actively participated in propagating, instigating, planning and supervising these crimes that resulted in killings of millions in Bangladesh in 1971.
3. He is a person whose presence would not be conducive to public good in the UK or his conduct, character, leadership and association with ISC that committed international crimes.
4. Moreover, JIB, the party he heads now, has been implicated in Islamic militancy directly and through its fundamentalist ideology.
5. Such a person should not have given UK visa specially at a time when in Bangladesh; there are strong demands that Nizami and his cohorts be brought before justice.
6. He and his party may have link with Al-Qaida.
7. We believe that he has not complied with all the conditions set in visa application form (VAF1 OCT 2007) pages 6 and 7, which includes: -
· He does have criminal convictions in Bangladesh or
· He has been charged in Bangladesh with a criminal offence for which he has not yet been tried in court of Bangladesh or
· In times of either peace or war he has been involved in, or suspected of involvement in, war crimes, crimes against Humanity or genocide or
· He has been involved in, supported, or encouraged terrorist activities in Bangladesh or
· He has been a member of, or given support to an organisation that has been concerned in terrorism.
· He has been, by any means or medium, expressed views that justify or glorify terrorist violence or that may encourage others to terrorist acts or other serious criminal acts or
· He has been engaged in any other activities that might indicate that he may not be considered a person of good character.
8. We the peace loving Bangladeshi people in the UK and around the World demands the trial of this war criminal without any further delay and he is likely to commit an offence if he is allowed to stay in the United Kingdom and without proper monitor and ignoring sections 5.8 to 5.13 of the (VAF1 OCT 2007).
9. He is a danger to the public, he should not be granted visa at all or if it is granted, it should be revoked forthwith and be detained for public safety.
10. We are aware that the Immigration Agency is seeking cooperation from public to detain such criminals. Please provide your detailed reasons for not detaining him, which is contrary to your policy.
11. We respectfully refer you to the Hansard web link as follows:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmhansrd/cm070123/text/70123w0021.htm.
12. And the Operational Enforcement Manual where yours written policy is:
Immigration Officers have authority to detain or deport such war criminals from the United Kingdom.
13. Whilst a person who is a war criminal or suspected war criminal, a notice of administrative removal should be served, or should be the subject of deportation action or is liable to be detained.
14. The policy is that detention is for the public safety above all.
15. Further or alternatively, please check the copy of his visa application form (VAF1 OCT 2007) (specially sections 5.8 to 5.13 submitted to the British High Commission, Dhaka, Bangladesh including such all previous applications and intended purpose of his visit to the UK.
16. We the people of Bangladesh are considering filing a criminal case against such criminals in Bangladesh in near future.
17. Please advise the reason for not detaining such criminals.
18. Please advise us why you are issuing visas and allowing to such criminals in the UK.
19. We request that Nizami should be detained as per your instructions from the Operational Enforcement Manual.
20. As the Home Office leads a national effort to protect the public from terror,crime and anti social behaviour.
21. Your duty is to secure UK’s borders and welcome legal migrants and visitors not to allow such war criminals compromising public safety.
22. Please help build the security, justice and respect that enable people to prosper in a free and tolerant society not to harbour criminals and make safe havens for war criminals in the United Kingdom as you promised.
23. We refer you to numerous reasons given for revoking Nizami’s visa and request you to detain him for potential trial or remove him from the United Kingdom immediately.
24. Mr. Nizami should be subject of a Deportation Order, or he should be removed from the United Kingdom immediately.
25. We strongly believe that he could be prosecuted under the Geneva Convention and or under the United Kingdom’s relevant War Crimes Act.
We look forward to a hearing from you as a matter of urgency.
Thank you.
Yours sincerely,
Bangladeshi lawyers community
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