ICBL Action Letter to the Director General of the Rapid Action Battalion. Print, sign and fax now!
Md. Anwarul Iqbal
Director General
Rapid Action Battalion
Ministry of Home Affairs
Dhaka
Bangladesh
Via fax transmission: +880-2-9896-2884
Dear Md. Iqbal,
I am writing to appeal for your urgent assistance in securing the release of Mr. Rafique al Islam, representative of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) in Bangladesh. Mr. al Islam was arrested on Saturday, 21 August in Cox's Bazar by the Rapid Action Battalion. Equipment and documents were also seized during the arrest. Mr. al Islam was held without charges until a hearing on Saturday, 28 August. His legal counsel and family were not notified of the hearing and were not able to prepare his defense. The ICBL does not have information about any charges against Mr. al Islam. He has been remanded into the custody of the Rapid Action Battalion for purposes of interrogation and is being held at an unknown location.
Mr. al Islam is the Coordinator of the Treaty Implementation and Victim Assistance Working Group for Bangladesh, a member of the ICBL, 1997 Nobel Peace Prize Co-Laureate. He has written the Bangladesh chapter of the ICBL's Landmine Monitor Report since 2000, placing him in regular contact with the government. Mr. al Islam is an active member of the ICBL, a coalition of 1400 non-governmental organizations in 90 countries, and as such has been present at many international Mine Ban Treaty-related meetings. His colleagues worldwide are very concerned about his arrest and ongoing detention.
I would like to request your cooperation in providing information about the reasons for Mr. al Islam's arrest and detention. I would like your assurances that Mr. al Islam's attorney, international monitors and Mr. al Islam's family be allowed to visit him daily. I urge you to fully investigate the charges brought against Mr. al Islam and to work towards achieving his full and immediate release from custody.
Sincerely,
