Paris, Aug 16 (HS): France-based human rights organisation JusticeMakers Bangladesh in France (JMBF) has condemned the reported arrest of 15 lawyers, including five women, in Chattogram and called for their immediate and unconditional release.
In an alert issued on Sunday, JMBF alleged that the lawyers associated with the Chattogram District Bar Association were arrested in the Double Mooring area on the night of August 15 under Bangladesh's Anti-Terrorism Act after attending a private prayer and commemorative gathering.
According to JMBF, the lawyers had gathered at the residence of their colleague, Advocate Umme Habiba, in the WAPDA Colony area of Mansurabad under Double Mooring Police Station. Police reportedly arrived after the prayer and Milad Mahfil and detained the lawyers before taking them to the Detective Branch office of the Chattogram Metropolitan Police.
JMBF identified the arrested lawyers as Iskandar Mirza, Sanjay Kanti Nath, S. M. Salauddin, Ahsan Abid, Sultan Mahmud Jidan, Partha Pratim Nandi, Shuvo Aich, Mashiur Rahman Abir, Zakir Hossain, Jishu Roy Chowdhury, Umme Habiba, Kamela Khanam, Ayesha Haven, Sujala Antara and Sharmin Yasmin Nishu.
The organisation said a case was subsequently filed against the 15 lawyers under the Anti-Terrorism Act and that they were produced before a court.
JMBF further alleged that several senior lawyers went to the Detective Branch office after learning about the arrests but were not permitted to meet the detained lawyers, raising concerns over access to legal assistance and due-process safeguards.
The organisation described the reported arrests as disproportionate and expressed concern over the use of anti-terrorism legislation in connection with what it described as a peaceful commemorative gathering.
JMBF said peaceful commemoration, prayer, freedom of expression and association should not in themselves be treated as terrorist activity and called for safeguards for the independence of the legal profession.
JMBF Founder and President Advocate Shahanur Islam alleged that the arrests formed part of a broader pattern of pressure against lawyers, journalists, human rights defenders, cultural activists and political groups in Bangladesh.
The organisation called upon the Bangladesh government and relevant authorities to release the 15 lawyers, ensure their access to legal counsel and family members, and review the application of the Anti-Terrorism Act in the case.
It also urged the United Nations, European Union, diplomatic missions, international bar associations and human rights organisations to monitor the case.
JMBF reiterated that counter-terrorism legislation should not be used to restrict peaceful expression, political opinion, commemoration or association.
---------------
Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar
