September 15, 2023
Cited article by Al Jazeera
In response to the imprisonment of human rights activists Adilur Rahman Khan and Nasiruddin Elan in Bangladesh and the concerns raised about their convictions, HRRC joins Al Jazeera in condemning the Bangladesh government for their lack of vigilance in safeguarding democratic values and human rights across the country.
News Brief
In Bangladesh, two prominent human rights activists, Adilur Rahman Khan and Nasiruddin Elan, have been sentenced to two years in prison by a court, a move widely criticized as part of the government's crackdown in the run-up to the upcoming elections. The leaders of the Odhikar human rights organization, known for their work in documenting extrajudicial killings, disappearances, and police brutality, were convicted for publishing false information, hurting religious sentiments, and undermining the state's image based on a fact-finding report they compiled a decade ago. The verdict has raised concerns among international observers about the political climate in Bangladesh, where the ruling party holds significant power and influence in the lead-up to the general elections scheduled before the end of January.
The sentencing of these human rights activists has sent a chilling message, according to Al Jazeera's reporter in Dhaka, Tanvir Chowdhury. Western governments have expressed growing concerns about the political landscape in Bangladesh, where the ruling party's dominance in the legislature raises questions about the fairness and transparency of the electoral process, making the upcoming general elections a matter of international scrutiny and concern.