GCDG Condemns Arbitrary Arrests and Custodial Abuse in Bangladesh

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Toronto, 30 August 2025

The Global Centre for Democratic Governance (GCDG) strongly condemns the arbitrary detention and inhumane treatment of 16 individuals in Bangladesh, including former Minister Abdul Latif Siddiqui, Dhaka University Law Professor Sheikh Hafizur Rahman, and senior journalist Monjurul Alam Panna.

These individuals were reportedly detained without charge and held for more than 12 hours before politically motivated cases were filed against them under the Anti-Terrorism Act, followed by denial of bail and immediate incarceration.

This sequence of events, detention without due process, politically driven charges, and lack of bail constitutes a direct violation of “Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)”, which guarantees the right to liberty and protection against arbitrary arrest. The “United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention” has repeatedly emphasized that detention becomes arbitrary when individuals are deprived of their freedom without legal justification or due process.

GCDG is particularly alarmed by credible reports of the cruel and degrading treatment of Professor Sheikh Hafizur Rahman in police custody, including denial of medical care and physical abuse. These actions clearly violate “Article 7 of the ICCPR”, which prohibits torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment. Bangladesh is also in breach of its own “Torture and Custodial Death (Prevention) Act of 2013”, which criminalizes such abuse.

The role of the judiciary in this case has also raised serious concerns. The Chief Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court reportedly ordered the incarceration of all 16 detainees without adequately reviewing the legitimacy of the arrests or charges, signaling a disturbing pattern of judicial partiality and political weaponization of legal institutions. This undermines the rule of law and erodes public confidence in democratic governance.

Considering these grave violations, GCDG calls on the interim government led by Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus to:

1. Immediately release all individuals detained under politically motivated charges.
2. Launch an independent investigation into all allegations of custodial abuse.
3. Ensure the independence and impartiality of the judiciary in accordance with international standards and best practices.
4. Uphold Bangladesh’s obligations under international human rights law.

GCDG stands in solidarity with the victims of this political repression and urges the international community to monitor the situation closely and hold Bangladeshi authorities accountable for these violations.

Media Contact:

Global Centre for Democratic Governance (GCDG)

Email: contact@globalcdg.org

Website: www.globalcdg.org