PEN Bangladesh condemns threats against Sultana Kamal

PEN Bangladesh Center issued a press release on Monday condemning the threats and accusations made against freedom fighter and human rights activist Sultana Kamal. “As an organisation that firmly believes in the tenets of freedom of speech and expression, we at PEN Bangladesh Centre are deeply troubled by this vehement, unabashed public promise of violence against an important member of the Bangladeshi community” the press release reads. It is a matter of deep concern that a group of people are able to issue a public statement that describes in such cruel detail the violence that a prominent public figure will be subjected to if she steps outside of her house. PEN Bangladesh Centre expressed concern over how a group of people are able to issue a public statement that describes in such cruel detail the violence that a prominent public figure will be subjected to if she steps outside of her house. PEN Bangladesh demanded the safety not only of Sultana Kamal, but of each and every member of community who hold the right to their own beliefs, whose voices “should not be silenced for fear of being misconstrued, and who should not have to fear for their lives for speaking their minds.”