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Odhikar wants intimidation of intelligence agencies to stop

Staff Correspondent
Expressing concern about the alleged interference of intelligence agencies in the judicial process, human rights watchdog Odhikar yesterday demanded the government puts a leash on the agencies and stops their intimidations.
Odhikar also expressed doubts about the holding of the parliamentary elections as per the Election Commission (EC) roadmap.
"Odhikar is concerned about serious accusations against intelligence agencies’ alleged interference in judicial process," says an Odhikar report on the 16 months of emergency rule.
Referring to barrister Shafiqe Ahmed, senior lawyer of Awami League chief Sheikh Hasina. the report said the lawyer complained to the court on April 21 that different intelligence agencies had called a number of the lawyers and enquired about several issues including reasons behind the delay in hearing of cases.
The Odhikar report says, "Despite repeated pronouncements, there are lingering doubts about the holding of general elections pursuant to the so-called roadmap." It said the EC has already missed a number of its selfset targets.
Odhikar said it is alarmed by the number of recent rulings of the Supreme Court Appellate Division which has serious implications for individual rights and principles of legality.
Criticising remarks of a few European heads of missions give the impression that the development partners could be satisfied even if mainstream political parties do not participate in the upcoming elections, Odhikar said. It said such remarks created apprehension among people that the election and handing over of power to a civilian government have become the primary concern of some of the development partners.
It called upon all development partners of Bangladesh to work for an election participated by all,
The human rights body was also very critical of the continued government attempt to interfere with the media and extra-judicial killings by law enforcement agencies. It also opposed the promulgation of another anti-terrorism act.
Between January 12, 2007 and May 11, 2008, 207 people were reportedly extra-judicially killed by law enforcement agencies, it said.
During the 16 months of emergency. freedom of expression, especially rights of the workers of jute mills and garment factories were ignored and they often received brutal response from the government, the report further added.
Odhikar strongly recommended the lifting of the emer-
gency and demanded the draft of the proposed Anti-terrorism Ordinance be revealed to public and all political prisoners be released.
It also asked the government to follow the due process of law in the trial of corruption suspects.