International human rights organisation Amnesty International on Monday urged the Bangladesh authorities to release Jagannath University student Khadijatul Kubra immediately and unconditionally.
The rights organization, in a statement posted on its website, also sought release of all those who were arbitrarily detained in Bangladesh solely for peacefully exercising their human rights including freedom of expression.
Khadijatul Kubra was arrested in a case under the Digital Security Act in August 2022 and has been in jail since then.
Responding to the completion of one year of university student Khadijatul Kubra’s pre-trial detention under the DSA, Nadia Rahman, Amnesty International’s interim deputy regional director for South Asia said, ‘The year-long incarceration and repeated denial of bail to Khadijatul Kubra is a travesty and flagrant violation of the right to freedom of expression in Bangladesh. She should be in university, studying for her degree and not in jail waiting for her fate to be decided under a draconian law.’
Nadia said that her continued arbitrary detention came against the backdrop of a rapidly shrinking space for critical voices and sets a chilling precedent for anyone whose views the authorities disagree with.
The year-long imprisonment and repeated denial of bail to Khadijatul Kubra is a travesty and flagrant violation of the right to freedom of expression in Bangladesh, she added.
‘Despite the government’s decision to repeal the draconian DSA, authorities continue to use the legislation to undermine human rights and persecute critics and activists,’ she said.
She said that Khadijatul Kubra should be provided with regular access to adequate healthcare and be held in conditions that meet international standards.
