The US government has voiced deep concern over the arrest of human rights activist Adilur Rahman Khan and urged Bangladeshi authorities to release him immediately, reports UNB.
“The government of the United States is deeply concerned by the August 10 detention of Adilur Rahman Khan, who is the secretary of the internationally-respected Bangladeshi human rights organisation Odhikar,” deputy spokesperson of the US state department said in a statement received here on Tuesday morning.
It said the US authorities have reached out to the government of Bangladesh for an explanation, noting that this detention has a chilling effect on Bangladeshi civil society and is reverberating negatively around the world.
“We urge Bangladeshi authorities to immediately release Adilur while the government pursues any outstanding legal issues through a fair and transparent judicial process,” it said.
In a democracy it is essential that the government ensure an environment in which civil society organisations like Odhikar can freely operate, the statement added.
Meanwhile, the European Union Delegation has issued a statement in agreement with the EU Heads of Mission in Bangladesh urging the authorities to observe due process at all stages of the proceedings against him, and in particular ensure full respect for his human rights.
“We have conveyed our detailed concerns about the detention of Adilur Rahman Khan to the relevant authorities in Bangladesh. It is essential that no harm comes to him. We urge the authorities to observe due process at all stages of the proceedings against him, and in particular ensure full respect for his human rights,” it said.
Respect for human rights and democratic principles as laid down in the Universal Declaration on Human Rights underpins the domestic and international policies of Bangladesh and the EU, and constitutes an essential element of our relations, as spelt out in Article 1 of the Cooperation Agreement between the European Community and the People’s Republic of Bangladesh on partnership and development, the statement said.
“We are familiar with Adilur Rahman Khan and with Odhikar’s reporting of human rights abuses in Bangladesh. We consider that a vibrant civil society and the work of human rights defenders have important roles to play in the strengthening of human rights in this country,” it said.
The EU diplomatic missions to Bangladesh have been closely monitoring the case of Adilur Rahman Khan, the Secretary of Odhikar, since the news of his detention first broke on Saturday 10th August.
The diplomatic missions of Norway and Switzerland in Bangladesh associate themselves with this statement.
