Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh Minorities (HRCBM)
P.O. Box 5493
Santa Clara, CA 95056USA
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Email: appeal@hrcbm.org
Ph: 212-592-3627
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HRCBM-index: PRESS 101/2002 26/11/2002

PRESS RELEASE
November 26, 2002

AVOWAL OF CONCERNS FOR THE ARREST OF UK JOURNALISTS IN BANGLADESH

We at HRCBM are deeply concerned about the on-going violations of human rights and freedom of press in Bangladesh.
We are dismayed and appalled to know that two foreign journalists of British Television Channel 4 have been arrested and framed in treason cases in Bangladesh. This is a serious violation of freedom of press and the democratic practices.
In this regards, we hereby beg to draw your kind attention on the article 39 of the country’s constitution.
”Freedom of the press, are guaranteed” [Article 39 (b) of Bangladesh Constitution]
Considering the above assertion in Bangladesh constitution, article 19 of UDHR for which Bangladesh is a state party and “Windhoek Declarations” of UNESCO, we do hereby urge the government of Bangladesh to carefully consider whether or not the detention of two British journalists are violation of International and Domestic laws of the country.
It is not considered acceptable democratic practices to violate country’s constitutional norm as well International treaties for which Bangladesh is a state party.
Henceforth, HRCBM strongly condemns the arrest of the British Television journalists Zaiba Naz Malik and Leopondo Bruno Sorentino and demand their immediate unconditional release and return of their confiscated belongings.
We do believe that Bangladesh government must adhere to the assertion as well respect the applicable articles enshrined in the country’s constitution and other applicable human rights instruments for which Bangladesh is a state party.

Background:

Report from Daily Star News dated November 25th, 2002:
http://www.dailystarnews.com/200211/26/n2112601.htm#BODY8
Khulna, Bangladesh: The immigration police yesterday arrested two journalists working for the British Channel 4 television network as they attempted to cross into India at the western Benapole border checkpoint.
According to police, the two journalists - British national Zaiba Naz Malik and Italian-born Leopondo Bruno Sorentino - are arrested on specific charges under the Bangladesh Penal Code for treason. One Didarul Islam of H/72 New Airport Road of Mohakhali filed a case against the two with the Motijheel police in the capital before their arrests yesterday. A video camera, some videocassettes and some papers were seized from their possession.
The Benapole police said the two journalists had told a joint team of police and military intelligence officers they were teachers and were travelling on tourist visas.
After the arrest, the two were sent to the capital escorted by a police team to be handed over to the Motijheel police.
According to BBC, Malik and Sorentino had had spent two weeks filming footage for a report on Islamic extremist groups.

Public Document

For more information please call HRCBM's press office in New York, USA, on 212-592-3627 or email us info@hrcbm.org