(33.31) Human Rights Watch urges the protesters and critics to stop attacks
Human Rights Watch has urged the government of Bangladesh to stop attacks against protesters and critics demanding safe road. At the same time, the organization has urged the internationally renowned photographer Shahidul Alam, arrested for criticizing the government, to investigate the incident of torture in police custody.
The company said in a statement published on Tuesday in their website. It is said that the government is arresting the students instead of facing the trial of illegal attackers on the protesters demanding safe road.
The human rights activists and journalists who are reporting about these tortures have turned the government into their targets. In the statement, Asia's Regional Director Brad Adams said that once again Bangladesh's authorities have chosen to torture as an easy way to solve the problem.
Punitive measures are being taken against those who are criticizing it. Authorities should immediately release all those who were arrested, including Shahidul Alam, due to peaceful criticism. As well as the supporters of the ruling party, who attacked the children with rod-beta and Ramada, authorities should face their trial. Brad Adams also said, if Sheikh Hasina government has brought the party goons against the protesters to demand a safe road, it would be a shameful thing. The authorities must stop the violence of government supporters immediately on protesters and journalists. Respect for the right to freedom of speech and peaceful assembly.
It is said in the statement that the security forces fired tiregas, rubber bullets and blank shoots in the area on the protesters. Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal warned not to violate the movement. Otherwise, the police will talk about taking action. Human Rights Watch has urged the government of Bangladesh to ensure that security forces follow the fundamental human rights standards for enforcement.
Human Rights Watch mentioned the allegations made by one of the protesters in their statement. The protesters complained of being attacked in Uttara on August 5th. On this day, some youths riding on motorbikes attacked them with sticks and rams. The attackers claimed that the Prime Minister asked them to solve the problem. Similar attacks have been reported in other areas of Dhaka. According to media reports, about 20 journalists were also beaten to death while collecting news about the attack. Most of them are photojournalists
On the arrest of international celebrity photographer Shahidul Alam, Human Rights Watch said that Detective Branch's founder Shahidul Alam was detained from the house by police detectives at around 10pm on Sunday. He was arrested within hours of giving an interview to Qatar-based TV channel Al Jazeera. In that interview, he mentioned the issue of bank robbery, media outrage, extrajudicial killings, corruption and education sector corruption. Police filed suit against him under the Information and Communication Technology Act, 57. In order to publish a fake and defamatory information, a person has been allowed to face trial. Police have been accused of torturing her in custody. The authorities should immediately investigate the incident of torture on her.