RCT condems violent attack in Bangladesh

On 29 April 2011 Mr FMA Razzak was abducted and brutally attacked in Paikgachha, Bangladesh. He remains in a critical condition in hospital in Dhaka. FMA Razzak is the President of the Human Rights Development Centre (HRDC) and editor of the Gonomichhil fortnightly newspaper. FMA Razzak works with victims of custodial torture, many of whom are facing fabricated charges brought by the law-enforcement officers who tortured them. RCT has issued an urgent appeal to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh in relation to take action on the attacks against FMA Razzak.

RCT has worked for a long period in Bangladesh. We have assisted in rehabilitation of hundreds of torture victims and contributed to the work againts torture in Khulna district. We have supported local groups and human rights defenders and assisted in the community mobilization of Victims Associations and Task Forces against Torture. This work against torture is not possible without the courage of human rights defenders such as Mr. Razzak. RCT has documented in public health surveys, published in international recognized journals, how Khulna is an unsafe place for ordinary citizens and human rights concerned people, and with massive political motivated violence. Unfortunately, law-enforcers within government forces are perpetrators and sanction use of torture and illegal killings. It is most unfortunate that this lawlessness in Khulna is due to state authorities neglecting its duty to ensure that rule of law and justice prevails in this highly populated area.

Everyone with serious interest in the development in Bangladesh is today extremely disturbed to learn about the terrible incident that has taken place against Mr. FMA Razzak in Khulna.

RCT urges the international community, and donors and diplomatic representations that are present in Bangladesh and offering support to the Government of Bangladesh to speak with a united voice and not to tolerate the ignorance and inaction of the Bangladeshi Government to improve on the appalling and worsening human rights situation in the country.

RCT is calling upon the international community present in Bangladesh to take direct contact with the Government of Bangladesh and underline the need for action and direct responsibility of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh to guarantee the safety of Mr. FMA Razzak. Endless inaction of the authorities of Bangladesh for last two and half months have made all rooms to almost kill innocent persons, particularly FMA Razzak and his family members under the direct masterminding of Major Mustafizur Rahman Bokul, who has been enjoying blatant impunity with his whole family as part of the culture of impunity in Bangladesh.