The Amnesty International CAI) has expressed concern over reported police repression on citizens and urged the govern merit to investigate Into such Incidents of police violence
The visiting chief of the Amnesty International. Ross Daniels urged the government to follow international human rights laws as regards prisoners in custody
"Criminsls should be pun Ished But no punishment should violate the international code of human rights. Daniels said at a preaa conference In the city yesterday
At least 13 Incidrnts of
death. 12 of torture, seven of rape In police custody and I I Incidents of death In jail cub tody were reported during the period between July I and November 24 this year, Abbas Faiz, research officer of the Al for Asia and the Pacific, said at the press tonfererxe
The information on viola tion of human rights In Banglsdesh were gathered from published reports In national dallies, relatives of the victims and In some cases, from the vtctlms and witnesses he Mid
Political parties In Bangladesh, while In the oppo sltion defiantly criticise the
use of the Special Powers Act (SPA), observed Abbas Fair Although they term the SPA a black law. they retain it while In power, he noted
About police excesses he referred to the case of Soyem Mahmud TUhin. who allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself from a water pipe by a ahoe lace In the toilet ol Motl jheel Police whlfe In custody TUhin was arrested by police on October 16 evening
Hr also mentioned the case of Zobalda Rashid as an In stance of torture In cuatody Zobalda Ra ah Id wife of Col
Uetd) A Rashid Khandaker. absconding accused in the August 15. 1975 killing case, was arrested by police under the Arms Act. She was placed on police remand for interrogation In connection with the case.
In this regard Abbas mentioned that the Al was disturbed' by reports that Mehnaz Rashid, daughter of Zobalda Rashid was at risk of detention on the allegation that she had taped her mother's conversation with her during a visit to the jail. "If arrested, the Al would consider her a prisoner of conscience ." said the AI rep-resentaUve.
About the alleged abduction of Kalpana Chakma from her village home in Rangamati under the Chittagong Hill Tract* on June 12. 1996. the Al representative observed that the committee formed by the government to probe her disappearance has been extending its deadline. "Delays of this nature are not in the interest of Justice.” the AI representative added.
He also expressed concern over political killing* and urged the government to ensure justice without delay. Abbas referred to the killing of Alaud-din. an Awami League leader on June 19. Despite confessional statements of a key suspect in this case, thorough investigation in this regard Is yet to be made, the AI representative added.