Today (12 August 2013), People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy(PSPD), together with other South Korean civil society organisations, sent below open letter to Prime Minister of Bangladesh and Bangladesh Embassy in South Korea. In the letter, South Korean civil society organisations expressed our deep concerns on arbitrary arrest and harrassment of human rights defender, Adilur Rahman Khan, and called for his immediate release and safety. 

Arbitrary Arrest and Harrassment of Human Rights Defender, Adilur Rahman Khan

(12 August 2013, Seoul) South Korean civil society organisations write this letter expressing our deep concern about the arbitrary arrest and harassment of Adilur Rahman Khan, prominent human rights defender and Secretary of local human rights organization Odhikar. As the Executive Committee member and partners of various regional and international human rights NGOs, he is renowned in international human rights circles. 

According to reports provided by Odhikar, Adilur Rahman Khan, was picked up at his house in Gulshan, Dhaka on 10 August 2013 at 10:20pm by 8 to 9 men in plain clothes identifying themselves as belonging to the Detective Branch of Police. Adilur Rahman Khan was returning  home from a relative’s house with his wife and children. When he reached his house and came out of his car, the men surrounded him and requested him to come with them. No warrant of arrest was shown and the men denied giving any information. 

Despite repeated requests, Adilur Rahman Khan’s family members, colleagues and lawyers were denied any information regarding his whereabouts. Meanwhile, the media reported at around 12pm midnight that he has been held in police custody under the Information and Communication Technology Act for the publication of a fact-finding mission on the 61 people allegedly killed on 5 May 2013 by Bangladeshi security forces.

On 11 August at around 4pm, Adilur Rahman Kahn was produced in court and the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court remanded him to five days in custody. We are deeply concerned about the safety of Adilur Rahman Khan as he faces particular vulnerability and risk of further harassment in this extended period of custody. 

Therefore, we call on your government to:

• Ensure under all circumstances, the physical and psychological integrity of Adilur Rahman Khan; 

• Take immediately action to release Adilur Rahman Khan; and

• Ensure an enabling legal and safe environment for all human rights defenders in the country to carry out their legitimate work 

We respectfully thank you for your consideration and express our sincere hope that your Excellency will take these recommendations into account.

Yours Sincerely,

Advocates for Public Interest Law

Catholic Human Rights Committee

Gonggam Human Rights Law Foundation

Imagination for International Solidarity

Korean House for International Solidarity

MINBYUN-Lawyers for a Democratic Society

People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy