Ensure civil society can work without fear of reprisals

The European Union has called on the government of Bangladesh to foster an enabling environment for civil society to carry out their work without fear of reprisals.

"Freedom of expression, freedom of association, and a vibrant civil society are essential in a democratic society," said EU Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Nabila Massrali in a statement today.

A Dhaka Court yesterday sentenced Odhikar Secretary Adilur Rahman Khan and Director ASM Nasiruddin Elan to two years of imprisonment on charges under the Information and Communication Technology Act, 2006.

The EU spokesperson said Adilur and Nasiruddin were subsequently detained in custody.

The EU has followed the Odhikar case closely and has repeatedly raised with the Bangladeshi authorities the need for due process for Odhikar's leadership, according to the EU statement.

The EU has also expressed its concern about the deregistration of Odhikar, which has made it excessively difficult for the organisation to function.

Yesterday, the government of Bangladesh said it was appalled by what it called the "favouritism", reflected in the European Parliament's resolution, to Odhikar, which in turn it called "a non-compliant and politically biased entity with a proven record of circulating misinformation", and an accomplice of vested quarters that promote terrorism and violent extremism.

It is a fact known to all that Adilur was appointed deputy attorney general by the BNP-Jamaat government and worked in that capacity for five years from 2001 to 2006, the statement issued by the government said.

Therefore, "Odhikar" is not at all a neutral or independent organisation that it tries to claim and is unfortunately believed by some in the international community, the government said.

"The timing and language of the joint motion, tabled by some political groups in the European Parliament, for making judgemental comments over sub-judice matters and a court verdict on two 'Odhikar' officials delivered today (yesterday) in Dhaka is reflective of their intention of interfering in the independent judiciary of a sovereign state."

Source: UNB