Canadian High Commissioner in Dhaka Heather Cruden on Thursday voiced deep concern over the arrest of Adilur Rahman Khan, secretary of human rights organization Odhikar, and demanded his release from detention. “I’m deeply concerned by the arrest of Adilur Rahman Khan. Canada joins like-minded missions in Bangladesh to urge the government of Bangladesh to release Khan from detention and ensure that he receives fair treatment throughout a transparent judicial process,” she said in a statement.
High Commissioner Cruden said government actions such as Adilur Rahman’s arrest can have a chilling effect on the right of all civil society organizations to operate freely in the country. “This is particularly significant in the lead-up to the country’s next general election.”
Earlier, on Wednesday, US Ambassador in Dhaka Dan W Mozena and representatives of foreign missions here including the European Union (EU) and Canada visited the Odhikar office, and talked to its officials over the evolving issues after the arrest of its secretary. On Tuesday, the US government voiced deep concern over the arrest of human rights activist Adilur Rahman Khan and urged the Bangladesh authorities to release him immediately.
Meanwhile, the European Union Delegation in Dhaka issued a statement in agreement with the EU Heads of Missions in Bangladesh urging the authorities to observe due process at all stages of the proceedings against the Odhikar secretary and in particular ensure full respect for his human rights.
British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Robert Gibson also expressed concern at the arrest of Odhikar secretary Adilur Rahman, according to his Sunday’s tweeter post.
The United Nations has also voiced concern over the recent arrest of Odhikar secretary Adilur Rahman Khan and urged the government to release him immediately.
-With The Independent input
