STATEMENT:Death threats against Bangladeshi human rights defender, lawyer & journalist Mr. Shahanur Islam: Police dennied to file FIR or GD

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

Bangladesh Institute of Human Rights received information regarding the death 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 December 05, 2011 around 1.20 am early morning in Dhaka. However, it is concerning that, despite of numerous international appeals for increased security for Mr. Islam in previous, the police failed denied to register First information Report or General Diary to ensure Mr. Islam physical security.

On December 05, 2011 early morning around at 01.20 am, Mr. Shahanu Islam, received a threatening call from +8801726832465 to his personal cell number +88 01720308080. Introducing himself as Bulet, a devoted Muslim people, the caller threatened Mr. Islam stating that you bustard trying to establish gay rights in Bangladesh. Be a good man, leaving gay fucking. Otherwise, we the Muslim people in Bangladesh will learn you properly, so that you forget about gay rights. Still, you have enough time to come back to the way of Islam. If you do not come under umbrella of Islam and you again encourage people to continue gay life, you will be killed.” Hearing the threatening call, Mr. Islam switched off the cell. Then, Mr. Islam received the once again threatening call from above mention number as soon as Mr. Islam switched on his cell phone. The caller again threatened Mr. Islam stating that you are under our observation. We will follow your every step. You will not get release from us. If you think that you will get release from us keeping your cell phone switched off, you are still living in the heaven of fool.” Then Mr. cut the call and blocked that phone number. But later the caller sent a threatening text massage to Mr. Islam stating that “Ur 14 generations mthr fuck u male pros fuckn gay bastard..buzz off”.

On the same day morning Mr. Islam went to the Concerned Mohammadpur Police Station to file a First Information Report (FIR) to bring the perpetrators before the book as well as ensure his physical security connecting the threatening phone call and text massage. But the concerned police official denied filing FIR or GD. Rather, the official treated him as guilty person by his behaviour.

Recently on 30 November, 2011 Mr. Islam posted a massage to Internet based Bangladeshi gay forum “Gay Bangladesh” asking a gay victim of physical abused to communicate him to get legal support to bring the perpetrators who abused him.