Create space for civil society to work 'without fear of reprisals'

The European Union (EU) has called on the government of Bangladesh to foster an enabling environment for civil society to carry out their work without fear of reprisals, reports UNB.
"Freedom of expression, freedom of association and a vibrant civil society are essential in a democratic society," said Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Nabila Massrali in a statement Friday.
The Cyber Tribunal sentenced Adilur Rahman Khan, secretary of NGO Odhikar, and ASM Nasiruddin, director of the organisation, to two years in imprisonment in a case under the Information and Communication Technology Act 2006.
They were subsequently detained in custody, said the Spokesperson.
The EU has followed the Odhikar case closely and has repeatedly raised with the Bangladeshi authorities the need for due process for Odhikar's leadership, according to the EU statement.
The EU has also expressed its concern about the deregistration of Odhikar, which has made it excessively difficult for the organisation to function.
On Thursday, the government of Bangladesh said it is appalled by what it called the favouritism, reflected in the European Parliament's resolution, to Odhikar, which in turn it called 'a non-compliant and politically biased entity with proven record of circulating misinformation', and an accomplice of vested quarters that promote terrorism and violent extremism.
It is a fact known to all that Adilur Rahman Khan was appointed Deputy Attorney General by BNPJamaat Government and worked in that capacity for five years from 2001 to 2006, the statement said.
Therefore, 'Odhikar' is not at all a neutral or independent organisation that it tries to claim and is unfortunately believed by some in the international community, Bangladesh said.