Letter to the PM

It is with grave concern that I have learnt about the arrest and incommunicado detention of the Proshika leaders Dr Qazi Faruque Ahmed and David William Biswas.

I hope that what has come to my attention is incorrect. I have read that prisoners may be coerced by torture or, in any case, ill-treated and that some prisoners are even deceived into making 'confessions'. I have also read that the accused may not always be granted legal assistance and that confessions are sometimes even obtained under torture.

Herewith I thus urge the Bangladeshi authorities to ensure that under no circumstances the above two men are tortured or subjected to other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. I further call upon you with your powerful position to ensure that Dr Qazi Faruque Ahmed and Mr. David William Biswas have access to their lawyers, family, and any medical attention they might require.

Finally, I implore you to call on the authorities to ensure that legal safeguards against arbitrary detention in Bangladeshi law and international human rights standards, including the right to obtain release on bail as appropriate, are provided to the prisoners without delay.