The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) have voiced concern over the arrest of daily Amar Desh acting editor Mahmudur Rahman.
In a joint statement, the two international rights groups also called the Bangladesh authorities for his immediate release, according to a message received here on Wednesday.
Detective Branch of Dhaka Metropolitan police arrested Mahmudur Rahman from the daily’s office in Karwanbazar on April 11. He was taken on a 13-day DB police remand for interrogation. Later, he was sent to Dhaka central jail on Wednesday.
FIDH and OMCT strongly condemned the arrest and harassment against Mahmudur Rahman saying it is manifestation of the increasing repression of dissenting voices in the country.
The right bodies called on the Bangladeshi authorities to release him as well as other journalists and activists arbitrarily detained.
Charges were brought against Rahman for sedition and unlawful publication of the conversation between the ICT judge and an external consultant, under sections 56 and 57 of Cyber Crime and ICT Act-2006 and sections 120(b), 124, 124(a), 505(a) and 511 of the Penal Code.
Source: UNBConnect
