A group of left-leaning intellectuals, known as the National Committee Against Fascism and Imperialism voiced profound dismay and outrage in response to the recent sentencing of Adilur Rahman Khan, secretary of Odhikar, and ASM Nasiruddin, director of the organization.
ASM Nasiruddin is a member of the group, reads a statement issued by the President of the group Professor Akmal Hossain, and its General Secretary Hasibur Rahman.
The internationally well-known Odhikar and its two officials and human rights activists have been working for a long time against all crimes against humanity, including enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, attacks on the media, and more, the statement reads.
“We have strong grounds to believe that the verdict is designed to obstruct their efforts in safeguarding human rights and to instill fear among all human rights organizations operating within the nation. We are deeply concerned that the legal proceedings and imprisonment under the ICT act could infringe upon the democratic and fundamental rights of Bangladesh's citizens,” the statement adds.
They demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Adilur Rahman Khan and ASM Nasiruddin.
