The Human Rights Actions Network - Derechos Human Rights
http://www.derechos.org/human-rights/actions/


VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
Case BGD 240197

The International Secretariat OMCT requests your URGENT intervention 
in the following situation in  Bangladesh.

Brief description of the situation :

In a letter addressed on 20 November 1996 to the Bangladeshi Prime Minister
Mr Sheikh Hasina Wajed, the International Secretariat expressed its grave
concern over the physical and psychological integrity of Mrs Zobaida
Rashid, wife of Colonel Rashid. Colonel Rashid took part in the coup d'Etat
of 1975. 

According to information received, Mrs Zobaida Rashid was arrested on 3
November 1996, at 12:10 am., in her Dhaka residence and taken on a 5 day
remand. During these 5 days, it is alleged that she was tortured in order
to make her confess her involvement in the 15 August 1975 Sheikh Mujib's
murder. On 12 November 1996, Mrs Zobaida Rashid was brought before the
Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM), although she should have been brought
to Court on 7 November 1996, after completion of the 5 day remand. Her
advocate was not allowed to enter the Court. 

It is unclear what charges Mrs Zobaida Rashid is facing. Initial charges
were made under the Arms Act, accusing her of possessing Colonel Rashid's
licensed weapons. Subsequently, she has been charged of "subversive acts
against the government" under the Special Powers Act (1974). Mrs Zobaida
Rashid is also accused of involvement in the 15 August 1975 Coup. OMCT
notes that the Special Powers Act is a "cover all" law which is used to
attain those "committing acts prejudicial to the State" and include an
extremely wide range of activities and has been widely critisized by NGOs
in Bangladesh. 

Mrs Zobaida Rashid is being held in Dhaka Central Jail in a cell with
apparently up to 100 other women. It is alleged that she has been denied
the medical assistance required by her state of health : Mrs Zobaida
Rashid, suffers from various ailments : namely, high blood pressure and
diabetes. She has been denied any access to her family and legal
representation.

There are also allegations of attempts to manipulate the legal proceedings.
Her legal representation was misinformed of the dates of Mrs Zobaida
Rashid's appearances in court. Furthermore, the court has ordered the
prosecution to hand over vital documents to the defence lawyers on four
separate occasions. To date, the defence lawyers do not have these
documents. 

The next hearing is scheduled for February 24th 1997.

OMCT notes that the August Coup of 1975 resulted in the overthrow and death
of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the father of the current Prime Minister Hasina
Wajed. The case has become extremely politicised and may prejudice the
outcome of the case as a result. Fears have been expressed from a number of
sources that the action taken against Mrs Zobaida Rashid is part of a
campaign of revenge. Mrs Zobaida Rashid is perceived through her links of
marriage to Colonel Rashid, to be involved. 

The International Secretariat has alerted the UN Special Rapporteur 
on Violence Against Women.

Action requested :
Please write to the authorities of Bangladesh urging them to :


i. guarantee the physical and psychological integrity of Mrs Zobaida Rashid
and ensure access to the medical assistance required by her state of
health; 

ii. order the immediate release of Mrs Zobaida Rashid in the absence of
valid legal charges or, if such charges exist, bring her before an
impartial and competent tribunal and guarantee her procedural rights at all
times; 

iii. guarantee an impartial and exhaustive enquiry into the alleged torture
suffered by Mrs Zobaida Rashid, identify those responsible, bring them to
trial and apply the penal, civil and/or administrative sanctions provided
by legislation; 

iv. ensure Mrs Zobaida Rashid the right to appropriate redress and
compensation; 

v. guarantee in all circumstances respect for human rights and fundamental
freedoms in accordance with national laws and international standards. 

Addresses :

Abdur Rahman Biswas, President, Presidential Secretariat, Old Sangsad 
Bhaban, Tejgaon, Dhaka, 
Bangladesh. Fax : +880 2 866 300

Sheikh Hasina Wajed, Prime Minister, Office of the Prime Minister, 
Shere-e Bangla Nagor, Dhaka, 
Bangladesh. Fax: 880 2 813 244 (PM Office) or + 880 2 811 015

Mr. Matin Chowdhury, Minister of Home Affairs, Ramna, Dhaka, 
Bangladesh. Fax: 880 2 813 243

Mirza Gholam Hafiz, Minister of Law & Justice, Ministry of Law & 
Justice, Bangladesh Secretariat, Dhaka, 
Bangladesh.

Geneva, 24 January 1997

Kindly inform us of any action undertaken quoting the code of this 
appeal in your reply.

Ben Schonveld 
Projects Manager
OMCT-SOS-Torture
Fax 4122 733 1051
Ph  4122 733 1051
OMCT is: l'Organisation Mondiale contre la Torture
         The World Organisation Against Torture