• Urgent Action

Urgent Action: THOUSANDS OF PROTESTERS ARRESTED ARBITRARILY (Second UA Bangladesh 71.24)

August 9, 2024

Rony Sheikh is one of more than 10,000 protesters (students, members of the opposition, as well as bystanders) who were arrested since July 2024, as part of the government’s intense crackdown against protesters. His family claims that neither they nor their lawyers have been given access to Rony, and they fear that he may be subjected to torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment in custody. The government’s harsh response has killed more than 400 people, including journalists and bystanders. The Bangladeshi authorities must immediately end the mass arrests, release all protesters detained solely for exercising their human rights, and ensure the right to fair trial for all detainees.

PLEASE TAKE ACTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE UNTIL: November 30, 2024

take action:

  • Write a letter in your own words or using the sample below as a guide to one or both government officials listed. You can also email, fax, call or Tweet them.
  • Click here to let us know the actions you took on Second Urgent Action 71.24. It’s important to report because we share the total number with the officials we are trying to persuade and the people we are trying to help.

contact information:

Md Asaduzzaman

Attorney General of Bangladesh

Office of the Attorney General

Bangladesh Supreme Court area

Shahabagh, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh.

Phone: 0088-02-55110401

Fax: 0088-02-9561568

Email: [email protected]

Embassy of Bangladesh in the United States

His Excellency Ambassador Muhammad Imran

3510 International Dr NW,

Washington, DC 20008

Email: [email protected]

Salutation: Dear Ambassador Muhammad Imran

sample letter:

Dear Attorney General, or Dear Ambassador,

I am writing to express deep concern over the recent crackdown on protesters in Bangladesh. In addition to over 400 people being killed and thousands of others injured, more than 10,000 protesters have reportedly been arrested or arbitrarily detained in the last few weeks.

Among those who were arrested is 18-year-old Rony Sheikh who was arrested on July 22 while preparing for his exams. Rony is yet to meet with his family members or lawyer since his arrests.

The right to freedom of peaceful assembly is a human right, and these mass arrests and arbitrary detentions of protesters are alarming violations to this right. I  urge the Bangladeshi authorities to immediately release Rony Sheikh and all other protesters who have been unlawfully detained solely for exercising their human rights. I ask that all protesters arrested for a recognizable offense receive a prompt and fair trial, and to grant access to their families and lawyers. Finally, I urge the Bangladeshi authorities to conduct a prompt, thorough, effective, independent, and impartial investigation into the deaths and injuries during the crackdown. Those found responsible for the unlawful use of force must be held accountable.

Yours sincerely,

[YOUR NAME]

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: