WhatFinger


Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury, Bail

Bangladesh Government Disingenuous with US Congress and others Worldwide


By Dr. Richard L. Benkin——--November 27, 2007

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Dear Ambassado Kabir, In response to worldwide outrage--and in particular outrage here in the United States---over Bangladesh's continued persecution of journalist Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury, your embassy has responded in an almost dismisive way that we should leave the matter to the Bangladeshi courts.

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There justice, we are told, will prevail. I must confess that I always found that cynical since there has been nothing in Shoaib's case that remotely can be called judicial or fair. Recently, however, a Bangladeshi judge did more to demonstrate the disingenuous nature of your country's dismissal than I ever could. On November 15, 2007, Judge Azizul Haque revoked Shoaib's bail--on the recommendation of the government's own Public Prosecutor, by the way. He did this even though it was in clear violation of Bangladeshi law; that is, the matter is before the Supreme Court and as long as conditions of bail are not violated (which was not even alleged by the court!), the bail remains. That did not prove to be the case in that Bangladeshi courtroon. Eventually, the bail was re-instated after Shoaib's attorney, S N Goswami, produced a letter from the Supreme Court confirming the case's status. No harm no foul, might you say? Hardly! Bail was re-instated only until December 3, the next court hearing. That signals that Shoaib's very freedom will be held over his head continuously. This sort of action is the stuff of tyrannical regimes looking to stifle dissidents. Last year, the US Congress passes a resolution (409-1) with strong bi-partisan support, urging the government of Bangladesh to drop the charges against Shoaib and end harassment of him. Even the US State Department voiced its support for the resolution. The government of Bangladesh has ignored it. Further, the government has been acting in a downright insulting manner towards the people and government of the United States by reacting in the above dismissive way rather than addressing the legitimate human rights concerns. People are angry about this, and if you have been reading papers from the North America to Australia, and everywhere in between (even Kuwait, I might add), you will note that people are getting angrier. I do not like to threaten or use words like boycott (I really don't); but people have choices. As an American taxpayer, I am outraged that my hard earned tax dollars go to a regime that oppresses heroes like Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury. Also, you take our money then essentially give us the finger, as we say in the US. Those appropriations, I believe, have yet to be approved for the coming year and I tend to do whatever I can as a private US citizen to protect my nation's integrity in this matter. Same thing with garments. I really (and actually, I am following many others on this, not initiating it) do not intend to purchase garments from retailers who patronize that same country. I have the option to spend my own money as I wish. I also recall being in Dhaka during the military coup in January. It is interesting to note that Bangladesh ignored the pleas of every single western democracy when they urged elections be postponed since they were so transparently rigged. Yet, the military acted when it became apparent that the United Nations was about to join that chorus, which would have prevented Bangladesh from participating in UN peacekeeping missions. Well, I know enough people worldwide now who have the ability to press this same matter to the UN, based on the government's continued rights violations. If that is what it takes, then so be it. I would just suggest that if indeed that happens, you might not want it known that you could have prevented it but did not take it seriously. I suggest you consider these points. Let me add two final points. First, successive government officials (most from the BNP but some from the current government) have admitted time and again that the charges are baseless. It has been four years since Shoaib was arrested, and the government has never produced a shred of credible evidence that this man should be tried for capital offenses, though that has not prevented the persecution. At least one of them admitted that fact to US Congressman Mark Kirk. Those same government officials have also stated frequently that the charges are maintained to appease the radical Islamists in your country. That hardly helps your cause in trying to convince the world that Bangladesh is a moderate Muslim country. Second, when we met in July, you asked me how I could harm the interests of 140 million people for one man's sake. Two answers. How can I? How can you!!!! It is your government that is spending millions of dollars you do not have to support a persecution you have admitted is false, and which has at the very least been the reason why Bangladesh has failed in its many attempts to secure trade benefits from the US. Yet, your government chooses to do so even though it has several options for ending the persecution. December 3 will be here before we know it. I believe that people concerned about this matter will be looking to see what happens then as an indication of Bangladeshi intentions, not just in this matter but in many. If Bangladesh continues to persecute my brother, I can promise you (not threaten but promise) the same sort of relentless and principled war that resulted in Shoaib's release from prison. This time, however, I will not be alone in it! And let me start this way: if nothing positive happens on December 3, I will make sure that certain people in your government and military have possession of this email. Feel free to call the number listed here or email me if you want. Dr. Richard L. Benkin [url=http://www.interfaithstrength.com]http://www.interfaithstrength.com[/url] Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury's Brother and Defender +1-847-922-6426


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