The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of Bangladesh has expressed concerns over the detention of Mohammad Rayhan Kabir, a Bangladeshi expatriate in Malaysia, who was arrested for speaking in a documentary broadcasted by Al Jazeera.
In a statement on Sunday, the commission said: “After scrutinizing the arrest of Rayhan Kabir, we have decided that it is required to take essential steps, including providing legal aid to him.”
NHRC also said that Malaysian authorities have issued summons, asking for information on the Bangladeshi youth, in Malaysian newspapers.
A few other national and international organizations related to migration have already expressed concerns over such steps and the cancellation of his work permit solely based on his interview with Al Jazeera.
“There is no other allegation against Rayhan, as far as we have learned through the media,” the statement reads, urging the government to take essential steps to protect Rayhan.
The facsimile of the statement was sent to the High Commission of Bangladesh in Malaysia, The foreign ministry and the Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment.
Rayhan was arrested on Friday for criticizing the Malaysian government over its treatment of undocumented immigrants amid the Covid-19 pandemic, in an interview with Al Jazeera television.
Malaysian state news agency Bernama said that Rayhan will be blacklisted so that he could never return to Malaysia. Media reports also claim that he will be repatriated home.
On Saturday, he was remanded for 14 days to assist in an investigation by the Malaysian authorities.
