The government of Bangladesh is well-known for its relentless and atrocious campaigns of violating freedom of speech and expression and the freedom of peaceful assembly. There have been hundreds of arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings by the Sheikh Hasina regime under the notorious and undemocratic Digital Security Act (2018), the Anti-Terrorism Act (2009), the Special Powers Act (1974), the Official Secrets Act (1923) and the Penal Code (1860).
The Coalition for Human Rights & Democracy in Bangladesh is deeply saddened by the custodial death of Bangladeshi Islamic scholar and Hefazet-E-Islam’s former Joint Secretary General, Maulana Iqbal Hossain on May 20, 2021. Mr. Hossain was arrested by The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB 11) on April 11, 2021. He was allegedly tortured in custody and succumbed to his injuries.
The Coalition for Human Rights & Democracy in Bangladesh strongly condemns acts of violence against citizens in police custody, leading to custodial deaths. We very strongly urge the investigative agencies to conduct a thorough and fair investigation into Maulana Iqbal Hossain’s untimely death and sincerely hope that the people involved in this heinous crime are rapidly brought to justice.