Open Letter Urging an Immediate Investigation into the Disappearance of Mr. Salah Uddin

We, the Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD), would like to express our deep concern over the disappearance of Mr. Salah Uddin on the evening of March 10, 2015. Uddin is the joint secretary general and spokesperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party.

According to Salah Uddin’s wife, Hasina Ahmed, a group of plainclothes policemen identified as members of the Detective Branch barged into a relative’s apartment in Uttara Sector-3 around 10:15 on Tuesday night. The policemen tied up the house helper who was present at the time and handcuffed Salah Uddin before whisking him away to one of the vehicles parked outside the apartment building.

Ashiq Bukhari revelations must lead to criminal accountability

Today, it was reported, that ex-SSP Ashiq Bukhari had made unequivocal and strong allegations against ex-Chief Minister, Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah. First, that on hearing of the 2010 arrest of Muslim League leader Masarat Alam, Omar Abdullah asked on phone why he had been arrested and not bumped off. Second, that in addition to the official Rs. 10 lacs given to Ashiq Bukhari, an additional Rs. 15 lacs were given by Omar Abdullah “from his own pocket” Third, that Omar Abdullah had paid him Rs. 1.5 crore four times by cheque for outstanding work.

11 Years and Still Disappeared: Where is Khun SOMCHAI NEELAPAIJIT?

March 12, 2004 – March 12, 2015

Today, 12th March, marks the 11th anniversary of the disappearance of Khun Somchai Neelapaijit, but, his fate and whereabouts remain unknown. His family’s anguish and the intense pain of waiting in uncertainty has been and continues to be a torment. Being uncertain on his fate has been devastatingly difficult for his family, friends and the Justice for Peace Foundation, who, despite the many grave threats received, have been unwavering in their search for truth and justice for Khun Somchai and other victims of enforced disappearances in Thailand.

AFAD Appeals to take Measure on Bangladesh over Gravely Alarming Human Rights Situation

To: His Excellency Ban Ki-Moon
Secretary General of the United Nations
1st Avenue and 46th Street
New York, NY 10017 U S A

Re: AFAD Appeals to take Measure on Bangladesh over Gravely Alarming Human Rights Situation

Your Excellency Ban Ki-Moon,

The worsening political crisis in Bangladesh has led to the gravely alarming human rights situation in the country.

The Asian Federation against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) is deeply concerned with the rising and unabated of human rights violations occurring in Bangladesh. It has become an almost daily phenomenon for law enforcement agencies to arrest people, resulting in human rights violations such as torture, ill treatment, extrajudicial deaths and enforced disappearance.

Enforced disappearances allegedly perpetrated by the security forces of Bangladesh has become an almost daily occurrence, mostly centering on the current political confrontations between the ruling Awami League and the BNP led 20-Party Alliance over free, fair, credible and participatory national elections under a neutral interim government. The administration’s refusal to the holding of such an election has resulted in widespread violence and human rights violations in Bangladesh.