Sued against Sub Inspector of Police alleging to physically attacked on Lawyer and Human Rights Defender at Police Station in Bangladesh

 JusticeMakers Bangladesh has been sued against a sub inspector of police alleging to physically attack on a human rights defender and lawyer in Bangladesh while he went to police station to register a general diary appealing to ensure his and his team members physical security.

Advocate Shahanur Islam founding general secretary of Justice Makers Bangladesh and also a member of Dhaka Bar Association and Bangladesh Bar Council filed the complaint case against Mohammad Yusuf, sub Inspector (SI) of police working at Mohammadpur Police station under 352 and 355 section of penal code with the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) Court, Dhaka on April18, 2012.

The learned Metropolitan Magistrate-7 of Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court, Dhaka Mr. Ismail Hossain has been taken the statement of the complainant Mr. Islam and pleased to issue an order to the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of police, Tejgaon Zone under Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) to submit the investigative report by 13 June 2012 after proper investigation.

Advocate Shahanur Islam, founding secretary general of JusticeMakers Bangladesh and also member of Bangladesh Bar Council and Dhaka Bar Association received numerous threats for life from different unknown person through mobile phone to withdraw the case filed against nine prison and police officials including jail superintendent of Naogaon district prison centre and officer in charge of Badalgachhi police station with the learned judicial magistrate court in Naogaon district alleging to take bribe, torture in police custody and death due to negligence.

On April 03, 2012 around at 7.30 pm Mr. Islam along with Advocate Mohammd Alamgir, founding vice chairman of JusticeMakers Bangladesh and also member of Bangladesh Bar Council and Dhaka Bar Association went to the Mohammadpur police station under Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) to file a general diary to ensure his physical security.

Mr. Islam submitted a written application to the duty officer of Mohammadpur police station Mr. Yusuf and requested him to register a general diary stating about his current threats. But, the duty office threw the paper to opposite side of his table mentioning that he would not register any general diary regarding connecting to the police. Then, Mr. Islam requested him again to read the whole statement carefully and again asked him registered the general diary politely. At this stage Mr. Yusuf shouted to Mr. Islam using filthy language including “beyadop” and asked him to get out from the room becoming angry as fire again rejecting to register the general diary. Then, Mr. Islam asked him to give written statement for the reason of rejection to register the GD. Suddenly, Mr. Yusub being violent jumped one side of the table standing up from his chair and pushed Mr. Islam shouting that he would arrest Mr. Islam and the he grabbed the color of the shirt of Mr. Islam and tried to put him in too the lock up of the said police station.

In this time, Mr. Islam released from the sub Inspector Mohammad Yusuf’s ferocious paw by interferes of Advocate Mohammad Alamgir. Finally, the duty officer registered the general diary being Mohammadpur police station GD number 261 dated 03.04.12 and assigned to sub inspector Afjal Hossain to investigate the incident of thrteats received by Mr. Islam.

Later, Mr. Islam submitted an oral allegation Officer in Charge (OC) of Mohammadpur police station against the SI Md. Yusuf demanding his proper punishment. But the OC did not take any action against the perpetrator. Rather tried to compromise the matter being apologized on behalf of the sub inspector confessing about the involvement of such heinous incident in presence of Mohd Jahangir Alam, adviser of JusticeMakers Bangladesh and also chief of crime division, united news of Bangladesh (UNB).

News published on different following newspaper regarding the incident:

http://www.jjdin.com/?view=details&archiev=yes&arch_date=20-04-2012&type=single&pub_no=103&cat_id=1&menu_id=38&news_type_id=1&index=6

http://www.bangla.se/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7968:2012-04-19-17-12-34&catid=34:bangla-news&Itemid=50

http://www.purbanchal.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1560:2012-04-05-17-54-44&catid=2:national&Itemid=1

http://www.parisvisionnews.com/2011-07-14-13-36-49/69-political-news/3160-2012-04-19-18-24-21.html

http://www.bdnews24.com/bangla/details.php?id=191690&cid=2

http://www.banglanews24.com/detailsnews.php?nssl=2c02ccd7522a596eaf2900ed053ccd60&nttl=20120419102319105394

http://dinerkhobor.com/index.php/%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%87%E0%A6%A8-%E0%A6%86%E0%A6%A6%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%A4

http://www.jjdin.com/index.php?view=details&archiev=yes&arch_date=06-04-2012&type=single&pub_no=90&cat_id=1&menu_id=13&news_type_id=1&index=9

http://bedepressed.org/blackwavesource/bangladesh-human-rights-advocate-has-physically-been-harassed-at-mohammadpur-police-station-justicemakers-bangladesh-gravely-concerned

http://bpi-icb.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=881%3Ahuman-rights-advocate-has-physically-been-harassed-at-mohammadpur-police-station&catid=44%3Abpicb-noticias&Itemid=127&lang=en

REPORT of GHRD: Symposium on Grass root protection of minority rights

 JusticeMakers Bangladesh – Advocate Shahanur Islam, Founding Secretary General

Representing his newly established organization, JusticeMakers Bangladesh, Advocate Shahanur Islam discussed the organization’s target groups: ethnic, religious, social and sexual minorities, and victims of torture and extra‐judicial killings.

Mr Islam mentioned key future goals to be: building a strong network for minorities in Bangladesh and building up the networking capacity of the organization and the minority communities. He also discussed work he had begun in collaboration with GHRD with a new minority target group: sexual minorities in Bangladesh and the nature of discrimination against this group, often in the form of societal stigmatization but also in the form of sexual violations, violence and torture. Mr Islam also highlighted the need for advocacy on legal reform, to remove the criminalization of homosexual acts in the Bangladeshi Penal Code.

Questions and dialogue from other participants centred on the right to information, particularly in remote areas, and questions around how JusticeMakers Bangladesh are working with sexual minorities currently and the goals for future operations in this area. Mr Islam responded that he has begun interviewing sexual minority individuals and organizations in order to discover the rights and violations involved and how LGBT rights are viewed in Bangladesh. 

Ms Lundström formally announced the intention of GHRD to start including sexual minorities (LGBT communities) in its work as they belong to the most marginalized groups in South Asia. She expressed the position that LGBT rights essentially are human rights, and as such sexual minorities should be included into the mainstream human rights community. She finally announced that GHRD has submitted programs for funding with the Dutch Foreign Ministry in this regard.

To read full report please click here

Human rights advocate has been physically harassed at Mohammadpur police station: JusticeMakers Bangladesh gravely concerned

Advocate Shahanur Islam, founding secretary general of JusticeMakers Bangladesh and also member of Bangladesh Bar Council and Dhaka Bar Association has tried to been arrest after physically harassment at Mohammadpur police station under Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) by the then duty officer and sub inspector Mr. Yusuf on April 03, 2012 while Mr. Islam went to the said police station for registering a general diary (GD) regarding threats received by him to withdraw the case filed with the learned judicial magistrate court in Naogaon district against nine prison and police officials alleging to take bribe and death due to negligence after torture at police custody.

On April 03, 2012 around at 7.30 pm Mr. Islam along advocate Mohammd Alamgir, founding vice chairman of JusticeMakers Bangladesh and also member of Bangladesh Bar Council and Dhaka Bar Association went to the said police station to file a general diary regarding the said matter. Then, Mr. Islam submited a written statement to the duty officer Mr. Yusuf for register a general diary describing about his current threats. But the duty office threw the paper opposite side of his table mentioning he would not register any general diary regarding taking bribe, torture and death due to negligence. Then, Mr. Islam requested him to again read the whole statement carefully. At this stage Mr. Yusuf calling to Mr. Islam “beyadop” became angry as fire again rejecting to register the general diary. Then Mr. Islam asked him to give written statement for rejection to register the GD. Suddenly Mr. Yusub being violent jumped one side of his table from his chair and grabbed the color of the shirt of Mr. Islam and tried to put him in too the lock up of the said police station. In this time Advocate Mohammad Alamgir managed the duty officer not not put Mr. Islam in to the lock up humbly requesting him. Then the duty officer register the general diary being Mohammadpur police station GD number 261 dated 03.04.12 and  assigned to Sub inspector Afjal Hossain to investigate the incident of general diary.

Later, Officer in Charge (OC) of Mohammadpur police station confessed about the involvement of such heinous incident by the duty officer and apologized on behalf of the alleged police officer in presence of Mohd Jahangir Alam, adviser of JusticeMakers Bangladesh and also chief of crime division, united news of Bangladesh (UNB).

JusticeMakers Bangladesh deeply concerned over physical harassment of Mr. Islam by the police official of Mohammadpur police station and demanded prompt action against the alleged perpetrators after a judicial enquiry as well as ensures the adequate physical integrity of Mr. Shahanur Islam and JusticeMakers team.

মোহাম্মদপুর থানা পুলিশ কর্তৃক মানবাধিকার আইনজীবীকে শারীরিকভাবে লাঞ্চনাপূর্বক গেফতারের চেষ্টা

ঘুষ গ্রহন, নির্যাতন ও নির্যাতন পরর্বর্তী অবহেলায় মৃর্ত্যুর অভিযোগে নওগাঁ জেল সুপারিনটেডেন্ট, জেলার  ও বদলগাছী থানার সাবেক ভারপ্রাপ্ত কর্মকর্তা সহ নয় কারা ও পুলিশ সদস্যের বিরুদ্ধে দায়েরকৃত মামলা অবিলম্বে প্রত্যাহার করে নেওয়ার জন্য হুমকি প্রদানকারী এক অজ্ঞাত ব্যক্তির বিরুদ্ধে ঢাকা মহানগর পুলিশ এর মোহাম্মদপুর থানায় সাধারন ডায়েরী (জিডি) করতে গেলে উক্ত থানার ডিউটি অফিসার সাব ইন্সপেক্টর ইউসুফ কর্তৃক মানবাধিকার সংগঠন জাস্টিসমেকার্স বাংলাদেশ এর প্রতিষ্টাতা মহাসচিব, বাংলাদেশ বার কাউন্সিল ও ঢাকা বার এসোশিয়েশনের সম্মানিত সদস্য এডভোকেট শাহানুর ইসলামকে শারীরিকভাবে লাঞ্চনাপুর্বক গ্রেফতাররের চেষ্টা করে। এসময় ঘটনাস্থলে উপস্থিত জাস্টিসমেকার্স বাংলাদেশ এর সম্মানিত সহসভাপতি বাংলাদেশ বার কাউন্সিল ও ঢাকা বার এসোশিয়েশনের সম্মানিত সদস্য এডভোকেট মোহাম্মদ আলমগীর এর হস্তক্ষেপে তাঁকে ছেড়ে দেন এবং সাধারন ডায়েরী নথিভুক্ত করেন। পরবর্তীতে, জাস্টিসমেকার্স বাংলাদেশ এর সম্মানিত উপদেষ্টা ও নিউজ এজেন্সী ইউ এন বি এর প্রধান ক্রাইম রিপোর্টার মোহাম্মদ জাহাংগীর আলম এর উপস্থিতিতে মোহাম্মদপুর থানার ভারপ্রাপ্ত কর্মকর্তা অভিযুক্ত পুলিশ কর্মকর্তার পক্ষ থেকে ভুল স্বীকার করে ক্ষমা চেয়ে দায় এড়ানোর চেষ্টা করে।

ঘটনায় প্রকাশ, গতকাল ০৩ এপ্রিল ২০১২ ইং তারিখ আনুমানিক রাত ৭.৩০ ঘটিকার সময় এডভোকেট শাহানুর ইসলাম ও এডভোকেট মোহাম্মদ আলমগীর একটি সাধারন ডায়েরী (জি ডি) নথিভুক্ত করার জন্য ঢাকা মহানগর পুলিশ এর মোহাম্মদপুর থানায় যান। সেখানে কর্তব্যরত ডিউটি অফিসার সাব ইন্সপেক্টর ইউসুফকে লিখিতভাবে বিষয়টি প্রদান করে তা জিডি হিসেবে নথিভুক্ত করার অনুরোধ করলে তিনি সম্পুর্ন বিষয়টি না পড়ে পুলিশ কর্তৃক ঘুষ গ্রহন, নির্যাতন ও নির্যাতন পরবর্তী অবহেলায় মৃর্ত্যুর বিষয়ে কোন সাধারন ডায়েরী নথিভুক্ত করতে পারবেন না বলে লিখিত কাগজটি টেবিলে অপর পাশে ছুড়ে ফেলেন। এসময় এডভোকেট শাহানুর তাঁকে আবারো বিষয়টি ভালভাবে পড়ার অনুরোধ করলে তিনি রাগান্বিত হয়ে এডভোকেট শাহানুরকে বেয়াদপ বলে চলে যেতে বলেন। তখন এডভোকেট শাহানুর জিডি টি নথিভুক্ত করতে পারবেন না মর্মে লিখিত দিতে অনুরোধ করলে তিনি তার চেয়ার থেকে লাফিয়ে উঠে টেবিলের সাইডে এসে এডভোকেট শাহানুরের জামার কলার ধরে তাকে টানতে টানতে লকাপে ঢুকানোর চেষ্টা করেন। এসময় এসময় ঘটনাস্থলে উপস্থিত এডভোকেট মোহাম্মদ আলমগীর তাঁকে ছেড়ে দেওয়ার অনুরোধ করলে কিছুক্ষন পর তাঁকে ছেড়ে দেন এবং পরবর্তীতে মোহাম্মদপুর থানার সাধারন ডায়েরী নং ২৬১ তাং- ০৩/০৪/২০১২ নথিভুক্ত করে এস আই আফজাল হোসেনকে তদন্তভার অর্পন করেন। এ বিষয়ে প্রতিকার চেয়ে এডভোকেট শাহানুর ইসলাম জাতীয় মানবাধিকার কমিশন ও ঢাকা বার এসোশিয়েশন বরাবর পৃথক দুটি আবেদন করেছেন।

বিষয়টি মানবাধিকারের লংঘন ও একজন আইনজীবী ও মানবাধিকার কর্মীর পেশাগত স্বাধীনতার প্রতি হুমকিস্বরুপ এবং অভিযুক্ত পুলিশ অফিসার কোনভাবে দায় এড়িয়ে যেতে পারে না বলে জাস্টিসমেকার্স বাংলাদেশ মনে করেন। জাস্টিসমেকার্স বাংলাদেশ ঘটনাটির নিরপেক্ষ বিচার বিভাগীয় তদন্তের মাধ্যমে অভিযুক্ত পুলিশ কর্মকর্তার বিরুদ্ধে অবিলম্বে যথাযথ ব্যবস্থা নেওয়ার জোড় দাবী জানাচ্ছে।

REPORT of GHRD: Hearing at Dutch Parliament ( Socialist Party & Party for Freedom

 Mr Shahanur Islam, Founding Secretary General of JusticeMakers Bangladesh

Mr Islam, a human rights defender and founder of the newly established organisation JusticeMakers Bangladesh, discussed the situation of ethnic and sexual minorities in Bangladesh – two minority groups particularly vulnerable to human rights violations and discrimination.

Mr Islam addressed the human rights situation of the ethnic minority people living in Bangladesh. Key issues included: a lack of constitutional recognition of their indigenous status and their rights to land, land disputes which makes them targets of violence, eviction, rapes, killings and sexual assaults. He addressed the conflict in the Chittagong Hill Tract region, and claimed that the government of Bangladesh has failed to implement integral clauses of the 1997 Peace Accord.

He further highlighted the situation of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) people living in Bangladesh, stating that they face discrimination in all areas of society and often become the targets of sexual crimes, torture, harassment and violence, in the public and private spheres. Mr Islam discussed societal discrimination of LGBT people, stating they are constitutionally not recognized, stigmatized and socially not accepted ‐ exemplified by the criminalisation of homosexual acts.

Mr Islam ended his presentation by urging the Dutch Parliament to take initiatives to ensure protection of human rights defenders through intergovernmental dialogue and direct support, and he referred to his personal situation. He underlined a number of recommendations beginning with the full implementation of 1997 Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Accord, and the need to ratify the UN declaration of the rights to indigenous people, decriminalize homosexual acts, and ratify the ILO Convention – including sections 107 and 169 (referring to the rights of indigenous peoples).

Mr Islam ended his presentation by urging the Dutch Parliament to take initiatives to ensure protection of human rights defenders through intergovernmental dialogue and direct support.

To read full report please click here

Sued against nine police and prison officials alleging to take bribe, torture in custody and death due to negligence after torture.

 

A petition case being has been filed on March 21, 2012 against nine (9) police and prison officials including Jail Superintendent & Jailor of Naogaon district jail as well as former Officer in Charge (OC) and present second officer of Badalgachhi police Station under Naogaon district with the Judicial Magistrate Court, Naogaon under section 161/ 164/323/324/304 (KA) 34/506 alleging to take bribe, torture in custody and death due to negligence. The case has been filed by Mrs. Afroza Begum, wife of the victim Abdul Bari Dulu of village South Kanda (Mistripara) in Badalgachhi Police Station under Naogaon district with direct support of the human rights organization JusticeMakers Bangladesh.

The accused were identified as Anwaruzzaman, Jail Superintendent; Faruk Ahmed, Jailer of Naogoan district jail;  Mahfuzul Haque, former Officer in Charge (OC) of Badalgachhi Police Station; District Jail Pharmacist Jahed Nurul Islam; Rafiqul Islam, Sub Inspector;  Touhidul Alam, Sub Inspector;  Karibul Hasan, Sub Inspector; Rabiul Islam, Assistant sub Inspector and  Abdul Razzak, constable of Badalgachhi police station under naogaon district.

The learned No-5 Naogaon Judicial Magistrate Court of Cognizance registered the case being number C.R 34(Badal)/2012. Later, the learned Judicial Magistrate of Mr. Abu Based Mohammad Bulu Miah recorded the statement of the complainant Mrs. Afroza Begum, wife of the victim and pleased to pass an order to submit the report about whether any unnatural death (UD) case had been registered or not previously to the Sodar police station of Naogaon district regarding the death of the victim by May 13, 2012.

According to complaint, the victim Abdul Barik Dulu and the wife of the victim as well as  the complainant of this case Mrs. Afroza Begum had gradually been compelled to give a lot of bribe to the police officer of Badalgachhi police station for not arresting the victim as well as not attaching the goods of their home in connection of an order passed by the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court connecting a fraud case filed with the Shahbag police station in Dhaka Metropolitan Police. Continuance of it, Mr. Rabiul Islam, Sub Inspector of Badalgachhi police station demanded 20,000/= BDT for not arresting the victim on December 16, 2011 as well as not attaching the goods of their house. Furthermore, he demanded more 50,000/= Taka for not arresting the victim ad also not attaching the goods of their home by next two months. According to his demand the complainant provided BDT 5000/-  to the accused sub inspector through Mr. Abdul Jalil, Member of Mithapur Union Parishad on December 18, 2011 and also promised to give more 20,000/=BDT by December 28, 2011.

Meanwhile, Touhidul Alam, sub inspector of Badalgachhi police station arrested the victim on December 20, 2011 morning and tortured in Badalgachhi police station using electric shock, kicking with boot, slapping, beating with baton on toe for whole night. Later, the victim was laid down at floor of the police custody while his physical condition was deteriorated feeding oral saline.

Getting news of the deteriorating condition of the victim on December 21, 2011 morning, the wife of the victim went to the police station where Karibul Hasan, sub inspector of the said police station asked her to give BDT 20,0000/= for the proper treatment of the victim. But the wife of the victim failed to meet up his demand due to unavailability of demeaned money. Then two police constables took the victim to the out door of Badlagachhi Upazila Health Complex and moved forward to Naogaon district Magitrate Court after primarity treatment. Then, the victim was handed over the court police of Naogaon district Judicial Magistrate court where the victim was laid down on the bench in to the court custody.

There after the victim was appeared to the Judicial Magistrate of Naogaon district with the help of court police and the learned magistrate pleased to pass an order to send him to jail custody with proper treatment on December 21, 2011. But the authority of Naogaon district jail failed to give adequate treatment of the victim providing eye washing treatment by a jail pharmacist. On night of the same date the physical condition of the victim was deteriorated, but the jail authority did not take any initiative to admit him immediately to a hospital with adequate medical facilities out side of the jailon that night, rather he was admitted to Naogaon general hospital on the following day December 22. 2011 morning, kept in bar fetters (danda beri) and hand cuff fastened with bed by thick rope with unhygienic environment.

Being informed about the deteriorating condition of the victim, the wife of the victim rushed the hospital around at noon and tried to be touch of the unconscious victim for clearing his cloth that was dirty with stool and urine left by the victim. But the jail police did not allow her to be touch with the victim, rather gave advice to bring permission from the jail authority. Finally around at 7.15 pm the victim was dead due to negligence of treatment and some unknown person came and open the bar fetters (danda beri) and hand cuff and escaped immediately.

A high level fact finding mission of Justice makers Bangladesh comprising three members, led by Advocate Shahanur Islam, founding secretary general of JusticeMakers Bangladesh had been conducted regarding the incident of this gross violation of human rights visiting the spot, taking statement of the witness, alleged perpetrators and concerned authorities. During the fact finding investigation, the Second officer of Badalgachhi police station confessed about taking bribe from the victim and proudly announced that they were entitled to take illegal money from accused person for the cost of fuel, tea and cigarette and also threatened to Mr. Shahanur Islam, chief of the fact finding team not to move forward about that matter in future. Furthermore, he made alert to Mr. Islam stating if Mr. Islam would not stop his activities connecting the incident gross violation, he would face more problems in future.

As Mrs. Afroza Begum, wife of the victim was a poor man with no ability to bear cost regarding legal battle to get justice bringing the perpetrators before the book, she sued the case with the direct assistant of human rights organization JusticeMakers Bangladesh.

Advocate Shahanur Islam, founding secretary general of JusticeMakers Bangladesh and Advocate Ashik Al Imran Hillol moved the case on behalf the complainant.

You are requested to visit the following links to read news published in difference English and Bengali news media regarding the case:

http://www.banglanews24.com/English/detailsnews.php?nssl=8d47aebdb84e4e7eaf27978a8fd00fe8&nttl=2012032236620

http://www.banglakhobor24.net/2012/03/21/bangladesh/rajshahi/news/13099/

http://www.eidgongnews.com/?p=3860

http://www.bdreport24.com/archives/69156

http://www.unitednews24.com/2012/03/21/%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%93%E0%A6%97%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%81-%E0%A6%9C%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BE-%E0%A6%95%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%97%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%AA/

http://www.rtnn.net/details.php?id=44559

http://www.dailyjanakantha.com/news_view.php?nc=14&dd=2012-03-22&ni=90684

http://www.bangla.se/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=7753:2012-03-21-18-49-01&catid=34:bangla-news&Itemid=50

http://www.sylheteralo.com/%E0%A6%A8%E0%A6%93%E0%A6%97%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%81%E0%A7%9F-%E0%A6%9C%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%B8%E0%A7%81%E0%A6%AA%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%9C%E0%A7%87%E0%A6%B2%E0%A6%BE%E0%A6%B0-%E0%A6%93%E0%A6%B8/

http://www.ajkalerkhabarbd.com/pages/details/2012/03/22/40369

http://www.jjdin.com/?view=details&type=single&pub_no=75&cat_id=3&menu_id=16&news_type_id=1&index=5