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Urge Officials to Free Landmine Campaigner Imprisoned Without Charges: USCBL Letter to United States Ambassador to Bangladesh Harry K. Thomas
Sent on USCBL letterhead.

August 25, 2004

United States Ambassador to Bangladesh Harry K. Thomas
US Embassy
Madani Avenue
Baridhara, Dhaka 1212
Bangladesh

Dear Ambassador Thomas:

We are very troubled to learn that Rafique al Islam was arrested, without charges, at his home in Cox's Bazaar in Bangladesh at 2:30 PM on Saturday, August 21 by Bangladeshi military officers of the newly formed Rapid Action Battalion, which also seized equipment and documents during the arrest. Rafique al Islam is the Coordinator of the Mine Ban Treaty Implementation and Victim Assistance Working Group for Bangladesh and an active member of the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize-winning International Campaign to Ban Landmines.

Reportedly, the Bangladeshi court has refused to give any documents related to the charges against him to his attorney, refusing him due process under the law. As we understand, the Rapid Action Battalion was created to combat serious crime and terrorism. Reportedly, however, it has broad discretionary powers and little oversight. Should Rafique al Islam be remanded to their custody, the Battalion has stated its intention to have him transferred to the 'joint interrogation cell' where several deaths in custody reportedly have occurred and for which no one has been held responsible.

We have learned that al Islam’s family has had trouble visiting him in prison. Given the current situation, they are very worried, as are we. This man is a kind and dedicated member of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines.

The US Campaign to Ban Landmines, a member organization of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, is a coalition of hundreds of US-based organizations and thousands of individuals concerned about the global landmine problem.

We urge you to call for the immediate release of Rafique al Islam.

Sincerely,

Mary Wareham
USCBL Chair
Based at Human Rights Watch

Gina Coplon-Newfield
USCBL Coordinator
Based at Physicians for Human Rights