A number of Rohingya organizations have welcomed the release of Abul Kalam on bail and requested UNHCR to continue to support his case in consultation with Abul Kalam and his wishes.
The organizations include Rohingya Human Rights Initiative, Free Rohingya Coalition, Canadian Rohingya Development Initiative, Women Peace Network, European Rohingya Council, Arakan Times and Free Rohingya Coalition.
They published a press release regarding this on Friday. The release read: “We believe the charges against him are not tenable at any level and these should be withdrawn.”
Also read: Rohingya organizations welcome Abul Kalam’s bail
Abul Kalam was detained on December 28 when he was photographing the buses leaving the Kutupalong camps with Rohingyas for being relocated on Bhashan Char Island.
He was shown arrested in a case filed with Ukhiya Police Station on June 1 in which Kalam was accused of assaulting public servants and obstructing them from discharging their duties.
Abul Kalam, 35, has been a refugee himself for 28 years. He originally came from Borgozbil, Maungdaw, Myanmar. He is a prolific photographer and has documented refugee life in recent years.
His images have appeared in many publications, and he recently won two prizes in the Rohingya Photography Competition.
