[RE: UP-068-2006: BANGLADESH: Four alleged perpetrators of rape walk free due to their political influence and power; UA-018-2006: BANGLADESH: Gang rape of a minority woman in Bagerhat district]
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UP-071-2006: BANGLADESH: Four alleged perpetrators of rape are identified
BANGLADESH: Rape; violence against woman; unfair prosecution for trial; inadequate action by authorities; threat and intimidation; collapse of rule of law
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Dear friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has received updated information regarding the gang rape of a woman belonging to a minority community in Bagerhat district (to see details of the original appeal please refer to UP-068-2006 and UA-018-2006). We have now received the names and the political identities of the four alleged perpetrators who have not been charged due to their political and social power and therefore currently are free.
The persons names are:
1. Ataur Rahman, member of the Dhansahor union council unit of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), living in Sharankhola in Bagerhat district
2. Waris Hawladar, president of the Dhansahor union council unit of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), living in Sharankhola in Bagerhat district
3. Mohiuddin Badal, general secretary of the Dhansahor union council unit of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), living in Sharankhola in Bagerhat district
4. Altaf Nurul Islam, organising secretary of the Dhansahor union council unit of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), living in Sharankhola in Bagerhat district
Though all four perpetrators have been implicated in this heinous crime, it is the first alleged perpetrator, Mr. Ataur Rahman, who is the primary suspect. However, the police have since removed the name of Ataur Rahman from the charge sheet, as he was previously mentioned within it. The latter three have been coercing the police to ensure that the four political persons remain free from charge and arrest.
All four alleged perpetrators are continuing in their threats against the witnesses and the victim.
SUGGESTED ACTION:
Please send letters to the persons below and express your deep concern about this serious case. Please urge them to ensure that all the identified persons alleged to be involved in this crime, are brought before a court of law to answer to the allegations made against them. Please also highlight the fear that both the victim and the witnesses are currently living in and the protection that is required to remedy this. Should the allegations be proven in court, full and appropriate compensation must be afforded to the victim.
To support this case, please click here: SEND APPEAL LETTER
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear ___________,
BANGLADESH: Four alleged perpetrators of rape are identified
Name of victim: Ms. X (Name withheld), 30-years-old, living in Hogolpota village, under Sharankhola police station in Bagerhat district
Names of alleged perpetrators:
1. Kachi Munsi, son of Hakim Munsi, living in Rajapur village
2. Al-Amin, son of Babul Howladar, living in Dakkhin Badhal village under Sharankhola police station in Bagerhat district
3. Ataur Rahman, member of the Dhansahor union council unit of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), living in Sharankhola in Bagerhat district
4. Waris Hawladar, president of the Dhansahor union council unit of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), living in Sharankhola in Bagerhat district
5. Mohiuddin Badal, general secretary of the Dhansahor union council unit of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), living in Sharankhola in Bagerhat district
6. Altaf Nurul Islam, organizing secretary of the Dhansahor union council unit of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), living in Sharankhola in Bagerhat district
Date of incident: 30 October 2005
Place of incident: At a field near a sawmill in Shailabunia village beside the road from Amragachi to Rajapur
I am writing to draw your attention to the alleged involvement of four political leaders in a gang rape of a woman belonging to a minority community which occurred in Shailabunia village, Bagerhat district on 30 October 2005. I have learned that the Sharankhola police have completed their investigation giving impunity to the four leaders who belong to the ruling political party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and submitted the charge sheet to the court with only two of the alleged perpetrators named. The two persons, Mr. Kachi Munshi and Mr. Al Amin, were charged in the police investigation report although the witnesses clearly mentioned the names of the four political people, the president, general secretary, organising secretary and a member of the Dhansagor union unit of the BNP, but later withdraw their statement out of fear for their safety. I am aware that the ruling political party has gone out of its way to protect these four persons, rather than help bring justice to this case and to the victim of this heinous crime.
I am concerned that the government has not acted properly to ensure a fair and impartial investigation in this case. I am also deeply concerned for the safety of the victim, her family and the witnesses. I am aware that the absconding alleged perpetrators are threatening the victim to withdraw her complaint and also the witnesses in the case not to give evidence before the court.
In light of this, I urge your strong and prompt intervention to ensure that the remaining alleged persons are investigated and charged, if it is found they were involved in the gang rape of the victim. I also request that the victim is afforded adequate compensation and appropriate protection while the case is going on. The concerned government agencies must also take effective steps to ensure that the victim can continue her life in safety and with integrity.
I urge you to ensure the speedy disposition of the victims case in court. I further request that the Government of Bangladesh takes effective steps to prevent such violence against women from reoccurring, in particular against those who belong to minority groups.
I trust that you will take immediate action in this case.
Yours sincerely,
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PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:
1. Mrs. Begum Khaleda Zia
Honourable Prime Minister &
Minister for Establishment
Prime Minister's Office
Old Parliament House,
Tejgaon, Dhaka
BANGLADESH
Tel: +880 2 8828160-79, 9888677
Fax: +880 2 8113244 or 3243 or 1015 or 1490
E-mail: pm@pmobd.org or psecretary@pmobd.org (to the Secretary)
2. Mr. Md. Lutfozzaman Babor MP
State Minister
The Ministry of Home Affairs
Government of the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh
The Bangladesh Secretariat
Dhaka-1000
BANGLADESH
Tel: +88-02-7169069, 8359000
Fax: + 88-02-7160405, 7164788
3. Mr. A. J. Mohammad Ali
The Attorney General of Bangladesh
The Office of the Attorney General
Supreme Court Building
Ramna, Dhaka-1000
BANGLADESH
Tel: +88-02-9562868
Fax: +88-02-9561568
4. Mr. Syed J. R. Mudassir Husain
The Chief Justice
The Supreme Court of Bangladesh
Supreme Court Building
Ramna, Dhaka-1000
BANGLADESH
Tel: +88-02-9562792
Fax: +88-02-9565058
5. Mr. Abdul Quayum
Inspector General of Police (IGP)
Bangladesh Police
Police Headquarters
Fulbaria, Dhaka-1000
BANGLADESH
Tel: +88-02-9562054, 7176451, 7176677, 8362552 or 8362553
Fax: +88-02-9563362, 9563363
6. Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police (Khulna Range)
Office of the DIG of Khulna Range
Khulna-9000
BANGLADESH
Tel:+88 041 761823 (O)/+88 041 461184 (R)
Fax:+88 041 761300 (O)
7. Ms. Gay Mcdougall
Independent Expert on Minority Issues
c/o Global Rights
1200 18th Street, N.W.
Suite 602
Washington, D.C. 20036
Tel: +1 202 822 4600
Fax: +1 202 822 4606
Email: gaym@globalrights.org
8. Ms. Yakin Erturk
Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women
c/o Ms Vernonica Birga
Room 3-042
c/o OHCHR-UNOG
1211 Geneva 10
SWITZERLAND
Tel: +41 22 917 9615
Fax: +41 22 917 9006 (ATTN: SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN)
Email: vbirga@ohchr.org (please also cc: rrico@ohchr.org)
Thank you.
Urgent Appeal Programme
Asian Human Rights Commission (ahrchk@ahcrhk.org)
