An Amnesty International delegation, led by Secretary General Irene
Khan, is making a special trip to Bangladesh to discuss human rights
issues with members of its government, political parties and civil
society.
The mission comes on the eve of the anniversary of 2007's declaration
of the state of emergency. It is the first visit of an Amnesty
International Secretary General to the country. The spotlight will be
on the rule of law, with special focus on the institutional changes
necessary to promote and protect human rights in Bangladesh.
Representatives of the delegation will visit Dhaka and Rajshahi and
will meet with survivors of human rights violations and members of
civil society. They will meet senior members of the caretaker
government, including the Chief Adviser Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed, the
Adviser on Foreign Affairs, Dr. Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, and Adviser
of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Barrister Mainul Hosein.
The time of the meeting with General Moeen U Ahmed, the Chief of Army Staff, is still to be confirmed.
Mission highlights:
Saturday 5 January DHAKA
The delegation will meet with NGOs and other members of civil society
to discuss the current human rights situation within the country. more
Sunday 6 January RAJSHAHI
The delegation will carry out a field visit to Rajshahi, the scene of anti-government protests in August 2007.
The delegation will visit projects by BRAC (an international
development organization) in Tangail and Rajshahi, focusing on their
human rights, legal services, microfinance, health, education
programmes.
more
Hearing about the reality of human rights
Victoria Harrison Neves writes from Bangladesh about her first mission as an Amnesty International press officer – as part of the organization's delegation to the country.
Tuesday 8 January DHAKA
Irene Khan will meet Dr. Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury (Adviser on Foreign Affairs).
Irene Khan will deliver the keynote address at the event "Human rights:
countering the disappointment of democracy" organized by Daily
Star/Prothom Alo. more
Wednesday 9 January DHAKA
Irene Khan will meet Barrister
Mainul Hosein (Adviser of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs) and
Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed (Chief Advisor of caretaker government).
Irene Khan will launch Amnesty International's new Bangla website during a discussion on freedom of expression. more
Thursday 10 January DHAKA
Irene Khan will hold a press conference at the Sheraton Hotel, Dhaka, to present the findings of her visit. more
Ending the downward spiral in Bangladesh
At the end of Amnesty International's visit to Bangladesh, Irene Khan looks back on what the mission encountered there and what it means for human rights.
About Bangladesh:
Amnesty International calls for thorough unrestricted inquiry into violations by security forces
Fear for safety/torture/prisoner of conscience: Jahangir Alam Akash (m)
Death in custody and reports of torture
Fear of torture/Possible prisoner of conscience: Tasneem Khalil (m)
Further information on fear of torture/Possible prisoner of conscience: Tasneem Khalil (m)
Read more:
All Amnesty International Bangladesh reports
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