MOSC press release statue protests 20170528_Bangla
CALL FOR RELEASE OF THOSE PROTESTING REMOVAL OF STATUTE OF JUSTICE AND ACTION AGAINST POLICE FOR ABUSE OF POWER
The Committee for the Protection of Fundamental Rights (MOSC) strongly condemns the action taken by the police to arrest four persons on charges among others, attempted murder, simply for exercising their right to freedom of association and peaceful protest.
In the early hours of Friday 26 May, news broke that the statue of justice was being removed from the Supreme Court premises, following repeated demands by a group of religious extremists, the Hefazot e Islami. A group of students and activists gathered to protest this decision but were blocked at the Doyel Chottor, a crossing outside the Supreme Court premises, by police barricades, and by water cannons. While explaining the reasons for their protests and that the removal of the statute was a capitulation to extremist demands, four persons – including Liton Nandi of the Chattro Union and Arifur of Udichi - were arrested by the police. They were taken to Shahbagh Police Station held there overnight and taken to the Magistrate’s Court on Saturday 27th but not produced before the Court.
The police have filed a case alleging among others, that the protestors were involved in obstruction of the police in discharge of their official duties, and attempted murder. The FIR reportedly alleges that four named persons along with 150 others are implicated in rioting, unlawful assembly, causing mischief, grievous hurt, obstruction of the police in carrying out their duties, and attempted murder of police officers ! MOSC notes the sinister implications this has for our democracy, constitution and identity.
We demand immediate action to release these four persons, to stop this absurd harassment of citizens for participating in peaceful protests, and an inquiry into the arbitrary and disproportionate police action and action against those responsible.
For the Moulik Odhikar Shurokka Committee
Shahdeen Malik
The accused have since been granted bail
MOSC press release statue protests 20170528_Bangla
CALL FOR RELEASE OF THOSE PROTESTING REMOVAL OF STATUTE OF JUSTICE AND ACTION AGAINST POLICE FOR ABUSE OF POWER
The Committee for the Protection of Fundamental Rights (MOSC) strongly condemns the action taken by the police to arrest four persons on charges among others, attempted murder, simply for exercising their right to freedom of association and peaceful protest.
In the early hours of Friday 26 May, news broke that the statue of justice was being removed from the Supreme Court premises, following repeated demands by a group of religious extremists, the Hefazot e Islami. A group of students and activists gathered to protest this decision but were blocked at the Doyel Chottor, a crossing outside the Supreme Court premises, by police barricades, and by water cannons. While explaining the reasons for their protests and that the removal of the statute was a capitulation to extremist demands, four persons – including Liton Nandi of the Chattro Union and Arifur of Udichi - were arrested by the police. They were taken to Shahbagh Police Station held there overnight and taken to the Magistrate’s Court on Saturday 27th but not produced before the Court.
The police have filed a case alleging among others, that the protestors were involved in obstruction of the police in discharge of their official duties, and attempted murder. The FIR reportedly alleges that four named persons along with 150 others are implicated in rioting, unlawful assembly, causing mischief, grievous hurt, obstruction of the police in carrying out their duties, and attempted murder of police officers ! MOSC notes the sinister implications this has for our democracy, constitution and identity.
We demand immediate action to release these four persons, to stop this absurd harassment of citizens for participating in peaceful protests, and an inquiry into the arbitrary and disproportionate police action and action against those responsible.
For the Moulik Odhikar Shurokka Committee
Shahdeen Malik
The accused have since been granted bail