April 20, 2006

DETENTION OF A BANGLADESHI-AMERICAN

On April 17th, Ehsanul Islam Sadequee, a 19 year old Bangladeshi-American was detained by special forces officers in Bangladesh presumably based on information from U.S. law enforcement agencies that have been periodically interviewing family members back in US since August of last year. The Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) raised the alert suspecting he could be tortured by Bangladeshi authorities citing its poor human rights records. But as Naeem Mohaiemen terms it as Bangladesh's 1st probable "Extraordinary Rendition" case for US, I don't think the authorities will dare to make a mistake (human rights violation) as US is involved in this. And I think the Bangladeshi authorities need not be blamed as it is a part of an international investigation.

From the sibling's letter it is evident that he was under surveillance for long. We are yet to hear anything from the local media or any statement from the Bangladesh authorities. Meanwhile I think the family should contact the US embassy urging them to take steps to make sure that Sadequee is not tortured.

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