ACTION ALERT

23 January 2001

UPDATE ON THE ARREST OF SANCHAY CHAKMA AND HIS COLLEAGUES

This communication is an update on the case of Jumma human rights defender, Mr Sanchay Chakma, a member of the Convening Committee of the United Peoples Democratic Front (UPDF) and his colleagues, (1) Mr Dipayon Khisha, member, Reorganisation Committee of the Hill People's Council, (2) Mr Rupok Chakma, President, Hill Student's Council, (3) Mr Biplob Chakma, a student of Chittagong University and also a Executive Committee Member of the Hill Student's Council, (4) Mr Rupayon Chakma, a polytechnic student at Chittagong, (5) Mr Newton Chakma, a BA examinee, (6) Mr Sadhan Mitra Chakma and (7) Mr Kalai Chakma, supporter of the UPDF and Mr Karim Abdullah, a Chittagong City leader of the Janotantric Biplobi Jote (Democratic Revolutionary Front).

You may recall from the previous Urgent Action of the South Asia Human Rights Documentation Centre (SAHRDC) of 15 January 2001 that Mr Sanchay Chakma and his colleagues were arrested on 12 January 2001 for holding a public meeting to celebrate the second founding anniversary of the UPDF at the Chittagong District Auditorium.

SAHRDC has obtained a copy of the preliminary charges, what is known as "Chalan" in Bangladesh, filed by Sub-Inspector of Kotwali Police Station in Chittagong, Mr Mohammed Shahid to the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Chittagong on 13 January 2001.

The "Chalan" states that Mr Sanchay Chakma and his collegaues were arrested under General Diary entry No. 729 of 12 January 2001. The case has been registered in the Kotwali Police Station in Chitagong under Section 54 of the Criminal Procedure Code. The "Chalan" further states that "the accused were arrested under Section 54 of the Criminal Procedure Code on 12 January 2001 at 4 pm from the District Auditorium under Kotwali Police Station while creating disturbance in the minds of the public by delivering provocative and objectionable statement against the Accord" of the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

Mr Sanchay Chakma and his colleagues were produced before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate of Chittagong on 17 January 2001. Their bail plea was rejected. SAHRDC now understands that the local police are attempting to implicate Mr Sanchay Chakma and his colleagues in other cases. SAHRDC is presently verifying these reports.

It is clear from the "Chalan" of the Kotwali Police Station, Chittagong that the Government of Bangladesh has arrested Mr Sanchay Chakma and his colleagues for exercise of their right to freedom of speech and right to peaceful assembly and association. Mr Sanchay Chakma has been a vociferous critic of the non-implementation of the various provisions of the Peace Accord referred to above and that the Peace Accord failed to address the fundamental problems of the indigenous Jumma people.

SAHRDC appeals to all the recipients of this update, to intervene with the Government of Bangladesh and their diplomatic missions to:

- Release Mr Sanchaya Chakma and his other colleagues arrested under Section 54 of the Bangladesh Criminal Procedure Code;

- Take effective measures to ensure the enjoyment of the right to freedom of association and assembly by the indigenous Jumma peoples;

You can send your appeals to:

Ms Sheikh Hasina
Honourable Prime Minister of Bangladesh
Old Sangsad Bhawan
New Airport Road
Tejgaon, Dhaka
Fax: 00-880-2-8113243

Mr Rafiqul Islam Biruttam
Minister for Home Affairs
Government of Peoples Republic of Bangladesh
Fax: 00-880-2-8696667

  Top / About SAHRDC / Online Resource Center / Human Rights Features /Action Alerts / Publications / Home  

All contents copyright © SAHRDC.