STATEMENT: CYBER THREATS AGAINST BANGLADESHI HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER, LAWYER & JOURNALIST MR. SHAHANUR ISLAM: POLICE NEGLIGENCE TO TAKE ACTION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) December 17, 2011 --

Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights received information regarding the cyber threats on Advocate Shahanur Islam (Saikot), Executive Director of BIHR, Country Observer-Bangladesh for Global Human Rights Defence (GHRD), the Hague, Netherlands, Founder of JusticeMakers Bangladesh, Legal and Human Rights Editor of the Monthly Doyel and also lawyer in Bangladesh on October 10, 2011 in Dhaka. However, it is concerning that, despite of numerous international appeals for increased security for Mr. Islam in previous, the police failed to take prompt action. As at the time of writing this report, the police have refused to register a First Information Report (FIR), and have failed to take any initiative identify as well as arrest the perpetrators.

On October 10, 2011, Mr. Shahanur Islam received threats from an unknown youtube user "udoy1" threatening to be hang through Mr. Islam's youtube channel "saikotbihr" where Mr. Islam recently broadcasted a fact finding investigation Tweenty two indigenous student beaten and tortured by the police during peaceful procession. Please read the report visiting following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-uvgVXjnpY, http://shahanur.blogspot.com/2011/10/fact-finding-report-tweenty-two.html

The perpetrators stated his massage that “This reporter should be hang. He is a active RAW (research and analysis, India) member. Where is our DGFI and NSI.....? What they are doing..?" Please read the threats visiting following link:
http://www.youtube.com/all_comments?v=T-uvgVXjnpY

After receiving the threatening massage Mr. Islam went to the concerned Mohammadpur police station, D.M.P to file a First Information Report (FIR), but the concerned duty officer denied to file it. Then Mr. Islam filed General Diary (G.D) being Mohammadpur Police Station GD Number 826, dated 10.10.2011 appealing his physical security. But till the date the police authority nither take any initiative to identify and arrest the perpetrators nor ensure the physical security of Mr. Islam. Rather the police authority asked Mr. Islam not to do any dangerous activities in the name of Human Rights.