Opposition leader Khaleda Zia on Sunday said the current regime’s ‘mask of autocracy’ has got exposed with the arrest of Odhikar secretary Adilur Rahman Khan.
In a statement signed by her press secretary Maruf Kamal Khan, Khaleda sharply condemned Adilur’s arrest and remand, and demanded his immediate release.
“The human rights situation in the country reached an alarming proportion. Those vocal against it are being subjected to government repression. Odhikar secretary Adilur Rahman Khan Shuvro was arrested at the government’s order. We’re worried and anxious over the incident,” she said.
Adilur Rahman was arrested at a time when the country’s human rights situation is being criticised both at home and abroad. “This indicates that the government is moving ahead with its blueprint.”
She said: “The government’s veil of autocracy has been unmasked with the arrest of Adilur Rahman. We want to clearly tell the government that it won’t be possible to cover up the human rights violations in the country with arrests and repressive acts.”
Khaleda, also a former premier, alleged the government has started repressing its political opponents, including opposition leaders and activists, since it assumed office.
The government is continuing its repression on the opposition activists with arrests and putting them on police remands on various pretexts. “Even rights activists are not spared,” she said.
“Through killings and abductions, the government wants to suppress the opposition’s demand. The government is curbing people’s fundamental rights and freedom of expression in every step.”
Earlier, on Saturday, plainclothes police arrested Adilur Rahman Khan from near his Gulshan residence.
Later, on Sunday, Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate court placed him on a five-day police remand in a case filed under section 57 (1) and (2) of the Information Communication and Technology (ICT) Act-2006.
Source: UNBConnect
